Silicone Transfer Device for Medical Manufacturing

Abstract

Current solutions for transferring silicone from manufacturing containers into molds for medical-grade implantable devices and prosthetics are expensive, inefficient, and lack modularity for different batch sizes of silicone. Improving workflow through a modular transfer apparatus will allow technicians involved in the process to efficiently transfer silicone, allowing for higher output of medical devices or time for other critical tasks, such as research and development or quality assurance. A functional device for transferring silicone includes an inlet to pull silicone from the manufacturing containers, a pressurized chamber, and an outlet that deposits the silicone into molds or storage for later use. Inclusion of a pump may be required depending on the viscosity of the silicone to pull or push it out of the device chamber. Any device involved with medical-grade silicone will need to be sterile and ensure that the silicone is not contaminated throughout the entire transfer process. The device must also be accurate in dispensing the correct output of silicone, as silicone must be uniformly mixed in a one-to-one ratio of part A and part B silicone. Accuracy is also important as it minimizes waste, which ultimately creates inefficiencies in the process and hinders production. Modularity is another crucial specification to considerably increase efficiency and allow for seamless transition between small-scale and large-scale production. The materials of the device will be made with cost-effective parts combining cheap, disposable, and durable components to ensure that the device is reliable for several years and replaceable if any failure occurs.

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