Medical Device Coatings on Patients

Lubricious, Low Friction Coatings Reduce Tissue Damage During Minimally Invasive Surgery

Harland’s Lubricent® UV Hydrophilic Coatings enable catheters and guidewires to navigate through the most difficult anatomies. Minimally invasive surgery enabled by medical devices with surface enhancements has emerged as the gold-standard for efficient, low-risk surgical procedures. It is a cost effective, and patient-friendly method of performing an operation. Minimally invasive techniques satisfy patients’ desires for a swift recovery and shorten the hospitalization period. The pressures to reduce healthcare costs and improve outcomes are driving minimally invasive medical devices to replace more and more traditional surgical procedures.

Advances in surface enhancements, especially low friction hydrophilic coatings, have accelerated minimally invasive surgery’s growth. These lubricious, low friction coatings now impact a variety of surgical specialties, including cardiovascular, orthopedic, urological, peripheral and neurological procedures.

Hydrophilic Coating Biocompatibility

Lubricent UV Hydrophilic Coating has been successfully tested by an independent testing facility for ISO10993 biocompatibility. Specific tests included Cytotoxicity, Irritation, Acute Systemic Toxicity, Hemocompatiblity, Allergenic Potential, and Pyrogenicity.

Lubricity and Durability of Harland Hydrophilic Coating on Pebax 75D & Nylon 12 Sample

Pictured on the right are the friction test results from a Lubricent UV Hydrophilic coated sample. Testing was conducted on a Harland FTS Friction Test System.   The graph displays the resistance force needed to pull the coated sample between the silicone rubber pads clamped on the sample with 600 grams of clamping force. For comparison, uncoated surfaces typically measure 400 – 600 grams of resistance force and PTFE coated samples exhibit 100 – 150 grams of resistance force.

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