UV LED Curing of Medical Device Adhesives in Oxygen-Reduced Environments
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The use of mercury vapor lamps for curing adhesives in medical devices is energy-inefficient and requires high maintenance, and LED technology, while more efficient, results in incomplete curing of adhesives, leading to potential interactions with medications and mechanical issues.
Innovation Solution
Exposing the adhesive to UV radiation from an LED device in an oxygen-reduced environment, preferably using an inert gas like nitrogen, ensures complete curing without interference from oxygen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mercury vapor lamps are used to cure the adhesive, then the adhesive cures completely, but energy consumption is very high and maintenance costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the curing parameters by using LED technology with specific wavelength ranges (380-480nm) and adjusts the curing environment by controlling oxygen levels (reducing to below 1%, preferably below 0.1%). This allows complete adhesive curing with LED technology while avoiding the high energy consumption of mercury vapor lamps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies an oxygen-reduced or oxygen-free environment during the UV curing process. By removing oxygen from the curing atmosphere, the adhesive can fully cure under LED UV radiation without oxygen interference, achieving complete curing with lower energy consumption compared to traditional mercury vapor lamps.
2Use of energy by moving object
If LED devices are used to cure the adhesive, then energy consumption is reduced, but the adhesive does not fully cure and interacts with medication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the curing parameters by using LED technology with specific wavelength ranges (380-480nm) and adjusts the curing environment by controlling oxygen levels (reducing to below 1%, preferably below 0.1%). This allows complete adhesive curing with LED technology while avoiding the high energy consumption of mercury vapor lamps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies an oxygen-reduced or oxygen-free environment during the UV curing process. By removing oxygen from the curing atmosphere, the adhesive can fully cure under LED UV radiation without oxygen interference, achieving complete curing with lower energy consumption compared to traditional mercury vapor lamps.
3Ease of repair
If LED devices are used to cure the adhesive, then maintenance requirements are reduced, but the adhesive does not fully cure and causes mechanical components to adhere
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the curing parameters by using LED technology with specific wavelength ranges (380-480nm) and adjusts the curing environment by controlling oxygen levels (reducing to below 1%, preferably below 0.1%). This allows complete adhesive curing with LED technology while avoiding the high energy consumption of mercury vapor lamps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies an oxygen-reduced or oxygen-free environment during the UV curing process. By removing oxygen from the curing atmosphere, the adhesive can fully cure under LED UV radiation without oxygen interference, achieving complete curing with lower energy consumption compared to traditional mercury vapor lamps.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method allows for energy-efficient and low-maintenance production of medical devices with fully hardened adhesives, preventing interactions with medications and mechanical components, while maintaining quality standards.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive that is curable under UV radiation... exposing the adhesive to UV radiation in an oxygen-reduced environment, with the UV radiation being generated by an LED device
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3c
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a medical device (10) comprising a body (14) and a cannula (20) attached thereto, comprising: providing a body made of glass or plastic (100); providing a cannula made of metal or plastic (102); and attaching the cannula to the body with an adhesive (22) that is curable under UV radiation (104, 106). The method is characterized by subjecting the adhesive (22) to UV radiation in an oxygen-reduced environment (108), wherein the UV radiation is generated by an LED device.