Originally Published MPMN March 2006

SPOTLIGHT

Surface Treatment
Surface engineering system

A low-pressure gas-plasma system is available for surface modification and ultrapure cleaning of medical components. The A400 gas-plasma system has a 16 × 16 × 19–in. aluminum chamber, is cleanroom compatible, and is available in both tabletop and tall freestanding cabinet versions. Gas introduction via mass-flow controllers and magnetic valves ensures precise gas measurement. Programmable logic control with error monitoring, recipe storage, and operator lockout ensures process repeatability. Plasma generation is via microwave frequency, resulting in low process temperatures and maximum chamber use, since no internal electrodes are required. Typical applications include surface modification of polymers prior to bonding, printing, or coating; attachment of chemical functional groups to enhance surface receptivity; and ultrapure cleaning of metals, ceramics, or polymers.
Plasmatech Inc., Erlanger, KY
www.plasmatechnology.com

Coating services

A company offers standard as well as custom coating services to OEMs. The firm is a licensed applicator of Teflon and Whitford Worldwide coatings, and also manufactures its own CRC brand of fluoropolymers. Services range from project definition and design to quality control and just-in-time delivery. High-volume, flexible manufacturing capabilities allow production of both small quantities and larger weekly releases quickly and cost-effectively, according to the company.
Boyd Coatings Research Company, Inc., Hudson, MA
www.boydcoatings.com

Repeatable stent-coating system

A spray coating process system is well suited for medical devices where small particle sizes, surface quality, and coating weight consistency are crucial. The equipment may be used with various polymer solutions to produce drug-eluting stents, among other devices. The equipment includes process controls and precision-engineered microatomizers that enable the desired coating amount to be homogeneously and repeatably applied to a substrate in a single coat, resulting in savings in production time and less product scrap and coating waste compared with multicoat processes.
Ioos systems LLC, San Diego, CA
www.ioossystems.com

Surface treater

A high-performance surface treater provides a safe and effective means of cleaning surfaces and raising surface energy to promote the adherence and bonding of a wide variety of materials. It effectively removes grease, oil, oxides, and silicone as a pretreatment and preparation for bonding, soldering, or gluing. It can be used on both conductive and nonconductive surfaces. The Dyne-A-Mite IT delivers a high-velocity stream of charged ions to an object’s surface. Through direct contact, these particles positively charge the object’s surface, increasing its surface energy and making it more receptive to inks and coatings.
Enercon Industries Corp., Menomonee Falls, WI
www.enerconind.com

Antimicrobial coating

An antimicrobial coating prevents the growth of commonly occurring organisms such as E. coli, staph, and candida on medical devices such as urinary stents and incorporates lubricious polymers, effectively reducing tissue trauma and toxicity. The RepelaCoat material is extremely durable and retains its physical integrity even after hundreds of cycles.
AST Products Inc., Billerica, MA
www.astp.com

Dry-film lubricants

Dry-film lubricants are suitable for metal, plastic, and ceramics. Packaged for dip or spray applications, these ozone-safe coatings can lubricate catheters, cutting tools, staplers, hypotubes, and complex assemblies into which components must slide smoothly. The microdispersion lubricants deposit thin, smooth films without streaking. This improves the feel of the device and also facilitates assembly, particularly in automatic systems.
Micro Care Corp., Southern Pines, NC
www.vertrelsolvents.com/dryfilm

Anodizing services

A surface treatment has been developed for aluminum. The Ano-Med finish has been engineered to have small porosity to prevent entrapment of microorganisms. The finish withstands ultraviolet light, salt spray, and heat exposure, as well as Sterrad sterilization cycles and chemical sterilization.
Highland Plating Co., Los Angeles, CA
www.highlandplating.com

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