Method of reducing friction between syringe components

Abstract

A method of making a syringe assembly includes providing a first syringe component defining a first sliding surface that is substantially free of lubricant. The first sliding surface is contacted with water. The first sliding surface and the water in contact with the first sliding surface are heated at a temperature of at least 121° C. The first sliding surface is dried.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A component of a syringe assembly having a glass sliding surface that is prepared for sliding engagement with a second, complementary component of the syringe assembly by a process for reducing friction of the glass sliding surface, the process comprising:
 contacting the glass sliding surface with WFI;   applying saturated stem to heat the glass sliding surface and the WFI in contact with the glass sliding surface; and   drying the glass sliding surface.   
     
     
         2 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the component is a glass syringe barrel and the glass sliding surface is an interior surface of the glass syringe barrel. 
     
     
         3 . The component of  claim 2 , wherein the process for reducing friction of the glass sliding surface further comprises:
 rinsing the glass syringe barrel with a solvent following drying the glass sliding surface; and   drying the glass sliding surface at or above 90° C. after rinsing the glass syringe barrel with the solvent.   
     
     
         4 . The component of  claim 2 , wherein the process for reducing friction of the glass sliding surface includes filling the glass syringe barrel with the WFI to contact the glass sliding surface with the WFI and further wherein the glass sliding surface is substantially free of lubricant prior to filling the glass syringe barrel with the WFI. 
     
     
         5 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the process for reducing friction of the glass sliding surface includes the glass sliding surface being substantially free of silicone oil prior to contacting the glass sliding surface with WFI. 
     
     
         6 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the glass sliding surface comprises borosilicate glass. 
     
     
         7 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the process for reducing friction of the glass sliding surface further comprises rinsing the glass sliding surface with an organic solvent. 
     
     
         8 . The component of  claim 7 , wherein the glass sliding surface is rinsed with the organic solvent prior to drying the glass sliding surface. 
     
     
         9 . The component of  claim 7 , wherein the organic solvent is hexane. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the process for reducing friction of the glass sliding surface further comprising applying saturated steam at a temperature of at least 121° C. to heat the glass sliding surface and the WFI. 
     
     
         11 . A component of a syringe assembly having a glass sliding surface that is treated for sliding engagement with a second, complementary component of the syringe assembly to have reduced friction relative to a substantially similar glass sliding surface that has not been treated, the glass sliding surface being substantially free of lubricant. 
     
     
         12 . The component of  claim 11 , wherein the component is a glass syringe barrel and the glass sliding surface is an interior surface of the glass syringe barrel. 
     
     
         13 . The component of  claim 11 , wherein the glass sliding surface is substantially free of silicone oil. 
     
     
         14 . The component of  claim 11 , wherein the glass sliding surface comprises borosilicate glass. 
     
     
         15 . A component of a syringe assembly having a sliding surface that is prepared for sliding engagement with a second, complementary component of the syringe assembly by a process for reducing friction of the sliding surface, the process comprising:
 contacting the sliding surface with WFI;   applying saturated stem to heat the sliding surface and the WFI in contact with the sliding surface; and   drying the sliding surface.   
     
     
         16 . The component of  claim 15 , wherein the component is a glass syringe barrel and the sliding surface is an interior surface of the glass syringe barrel. 
     
     
         17 . The component of  claim 15 , wherein the sliding surface comprises borosilicate glass. 
     
     
         18 . A component of a syringe assembly having a sliding surface that is treated for sliding engagement with a second, complementary component of the syringe assembly to have reduced friction relative to a sliding substantially similar surface that has not been treated, the sliding surface being substantially free of lubricant. 
     
     
         19 . The component of  claim 18 , wherein the component is a glass syringe barrel and the sliding surface is an interior surface of the glass syringe barrel. 
     
     
         20 . The component of  claim 18 , wherein the sliding surface comprises borosilicate glass. 
     
     
         21 . The component of  claim 18 , wherein the sliding surface is substantially free of silicone oil.