Method for evaluation of chemical resistance of thermoplastics

US12405197B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Healthcare Surfaces Summit · US

Inventors

• Mike Zettel · Bloomfield, US
• Yubiao Liu · Johnson City, US
• James Hicks · Lawrenceville, US
• Kay Bernhard · Darmstadt, DE
• Pooja Bajaj · Schenectady, US
• Mark D. Lamont · Long Beach, US
• Ellen Turner · Kingsport, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 17, 2023
• Grant date: Sep 2, 2025
• Expiry date: Feb 20, 2044

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2203/0476
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The present invention provides a standard testing methodology for making quantitative determinations as to the chemical resistance of thermoplastics commonly used for non-disposable medical devices by evaluating the retention of tensile and/or impact properties of the thermoplastic materials after exposure to chemicals associated with healthcare grade disinfectants. Versions of the test methods may be used with any of a variety of different thermoplastic materials, each having a different stiffness or elastic modulus; and versions of the test methods may be used with any of a variety of different hospital grade cleaning agents or disinfectants. Using the methodology of embodiments of the present invention, different thermoplastic materials may be tested against different cleaners or disinfectants to provide a uniform basis for comparison. This allows those who make chemicals, polymers and medical equipment to have a uniform way of evaluating those materials for compatibility with various cleaners and disinfectants used in the medical industry to make objective comparisons, and to allow end users to make the same evaluations and comparisons.