Originally Published MPMN May 2006

OUTSOURCING OUTLOOK

Surface Treatment

The use of plasma etch technology in the medical manufacturing industry is becoming a standard practice. Radio-frequency (RF) plasma treatment is an efficient, environmentally friendly method of surface preparation prior to bonding, deposition, and coating. Plasma etch cleaning removes organic and inorganic materials that inhibit desired bond strengths, without affecting the surface’s base properties. Using state-of-the-art plasma technology, combined with temperature control and electrostatic shielding, greatly increases the surface energy and uniformity of the material being treated. Increased surface energy improves a material’s adhesion characteristics, thereby allowing better bonding, gluing, markability, paintability, coatability, and pottability. These surface improvements lead to increased production. There is also a decrease in products lost due to material contamination or poor bonding and markability compared with products treated using conventional methods.

Company Offers Plasma Services and Equipment

Contract plasma services are available with uniform repeatable process results. Along with plasma applications, the firm provides customers with an analysis of the best plasma process recipes for their products and a report detailing the process parameters and results, if desired. Free preliminary testing of samples is offered in order to determine whether plasma is suited for a customer’s specifications. The company also offers batch and in-line plasma systems. Plasma processing removes contamination, improves adhesion, increases lubricity, delivers high uniformity and reproducibility, and is biocompatible.
March Plasma Systems, Concord, CA
www.marchplasma.com

Anodizing Process Available in a Range of Colors

An anodizing process for aluminum parts provides tolerances as fine as 0.5 mil. The service enables products to withstand heat, light, and oxidation from sterilization systems while retaining their color. Samples processed through 10 cycles using the Sterrad 100S sterilization system demonstrated no change to the anodized surface of the panels, according to the company. Suited for medical and surgical equipment, the Colourlock anodizing film is offered in 13 colors. Options include bronze, black, yellow, burgundy, gold, blue, platinum, magenta, and green.
Florida Anodize System & Technologies Inc., Sanford, FL
www.anodizefast.com

Water-Based Coatings and Adhesive Technologies

A company develops, licenses, and supplies coating and adhesive technologies for the device industry. Employing water-based materials, the firm provides coating services for prototype or clinical devices, custom coatings, and consulting services for process technology transfer. Product-specific pretreating recommendations and services to ensure maximum coating and adhesive performance are also available.

In addition to services, the company also offers a water-based adhesive coating that can retain stents on balloons until deployment. Other products include block-resistant coatings that harden the surface of soft-durometer plastics such as balloons and catheters, thus preventing them from sticking to themselves or to other devices.
Surface Solutions Laboratories Inc., Carlisle, MA
www.surfacesolutionslabs.com

Surface Modification Technologies Developed for Devices

A company develops surface modification technologies for the enhancement of medical devices. The company collaborates with customers to establish a modification technique that best suits the needs of the product. Upon achieving the desired result, the firm establishes a license agreement and then transfers the technology to the customer. In addition to surface enhancement, the company offers products
for site-specific drug delivery, cell encapsulation, and biomolecule immobilization. Products include the Cameo and SynBiosys biodegradable polymeric drug-delivery systems for the controlled release of small hydrophobic molecules and for the delivery of biologically active compounds, respectively.
SurModics Inc., Eden Prairie, MN
www.surmodics.com

Plasma Technology Offers Alternative to Wet Cleaning

A company offers plasma etching and surface preparation for medical components. Residues, as well as organic and inorganic contamination, can be removed using the firm’s plasma technology. The process can also be used to increase wettability and bond strength. The precisely controlled plasma etching process does not have the safety hazards and liquid wastes associated with wet cleaning and etching. Plasma can render products clean, hydrophilic, hydrophobic, bondable, markable, or lubricated.
Plasma Etch Inc., Carson City, NV
www.plasmaetch.com

Coming up in the June 2006 issue of MPMN, Outsourcing Outlook on Molding
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