According to Bayer MaterialScience, catheters coated with its Baymedix CL 100 lubricious coating technology and subjected to simulated-use tests produced smaller quantity of wear particles than the levels set by the United States Pharmacopeia 788 standard.
Medical devices release wear particles inside the body during surgeries, resulting in particulation. In order to reduce the shedding of particles, medical device producers use hydrophilic lubricious coatings. The coating absorbs water, making it slippery and weaker which in turn reduce the release of particles.
As it was developed from a material surface directly, the Baymedix CL 100 lubricious polymer coating is strongly attached to the substrate via robust covalent linkages. The polymer entanglement, which makes the coating strong, together with the bonding produces durable coating with high particulation resistance.
In the simulated-use test, a Baymedix CL 100-coated catheter released particles with diameter greater than 10 µ. The number of these particles was 59% lower than the levels set by United States Pharmacopeia 788, while the number of particles with diameter over 25 µ was 78% lower than the specified limit.
Bayer MaterialScience produces Baymedix range of materials for medical instruments including drug-eluting materials and coatings for wound care applications.