Biopolymer-based emulsion lubricants for syringe barrels
A stable biopolymer-based emulsion lubricant including Agar is provided to reduce the friction between a syringe barrel plunger and the interior surface of the syringe barrel. According to exemplary embodiments the emulsion has a friction of less than 4N, the emulsion is temperature stable in a range of 4-23 degrees Celsius and the emulsion is stable for a period of at least 60 days.
1. A medical drug delivery device, comprising: a syringe barrel with an interior surface lubricated with an emulsion of a hydrophobic liquid oil in a matrix of water-soluble polysaccharides, wherein one type of the polysaccharides is Agar.
2. The device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the emulsion comprises 1-10 percent Agar.
3. The device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the polysaccharides further comprise Xantham Gum, Dextrum, Cellulose, or a combination thereof.
4. The device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the emulsion has a friction of less than 4N.
5. The device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the emulsion is temperature stable in a range of 4-23 degrees Celsius.
6. The device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the emulsion is stable for a period of at least 60 days.
7. The device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic liquid oil has a viscocity in the range 20-12,500 cSt.
8. A method of lubricating a medical drug delivery device, comprising spraying an emulsion onto the interior surface of a syringe barrel, wherein the emulsion comprises of a hydrophobic liquid oil on a matrix of water-soluble polysaccharides, wherein one type of the polysaccharides is Agar.
9. The method as set forth in claim 8 , wherein the emulsion is sprayed on with a volume of 0.5-10 microliter and with a flow rate of 1-5 standard liter per minute.
10. The method as set forth in claim 8 , wherein the spaying starts at about 30 mm outside the syringe barrel and stops at about 40 mm inside the syringe barrel for a duration of about 1 second.
11. The method as set forth in claim 8 , wherein the emulsion comprises 1-10 percent agar.
12. The method as set forth in claim 8 , wherein the polysaccharides further comprise Xantham Gum, Dextrum, Cellulose, or a combination thereof.
13. The method as set forth in claim 8 , wherein the emulsion has a friction of less than 4N.
14. The method as set forth in claim 8 , wherein the emulsion is temperature stable in a range of 4-23 degrees Celsius.
15. The method as set forth in claim 8 , wherein the emulsion is stable for a period of at least 60 days.
16. The method as set forth in claim 8 , wherein the hydrophobic liquid oil has a viscocity in the range 20-12,500 cSt.