Inventors:
Henry Hui - Laguana Niguel CA
Leslie A. Feldman - Calabasas Hills CA
Hung P. Nguyen - Torrance CA
Debra Timm - Foothill Ranch CA
Ron Albers - Irvine CA
Assignee:
Johnson & Johnson Medical, Inc. - Arlington TX
International Classification:
A61B 104
Abstract:
Medical instruments incorporating solid lubricants are shown to survive an oxidizing sterilization process if they employ solid lubricants free from disulfide and diselenide compounds such as molybdenum disulfide and the instrument is kept free from such compounds. PTFE, powdered graphite and boron nitride are preferred solid lubricants. Of particular importance are flexible endoscope employing solid lubricants on fiber optic bundles encased in elastomeric coverings.