Coatings offer properties beneficial for medical devices.

Press Release Summary:



Suited for use in medical devices, hydrophilic coatings are intended to combine lubricity and hemocompatibility with mechanical properties of polyurethane. Formulation exhibits minimal swelling and is optimized for strength/durability. Aqueous polyurethane dispersions are of solvent-free nature with low viscosity, while solvent-borne polyurethane solutions are characterized by stability and wet strength.



Original Press Release:



Hydrophilic Coatings from Bayer Materialscience LLC Offer Exceptional Properties for Medical Devices



New coating family offers low swelling along with strength and durability

Pittsburgh, June 16, 2009 - Building on its experience in polyurethane coatings chemistry, Bayer MaterialScience LLC recently developed a new family of hydrophilic coatings. These products are intended to combine lubricity and hemocompatibility with the superior mechanical properties of polyurethane.

Hydrophilic coatings have found use in a variety of medical devices, such as catheters, guidewires, introducers, leads, and endoscopes. Often, reduced friction with tissue during surgical procedures is desired. In other applications, use of hydrophilic polyurethane coatings may give hemocompatibility above and beyond that typically seen with polyurethane.

"There are many kinds of hydrophilic - or 'water-loving' - coatings on the market," said Dr. Paul Nowatzki, associate scientist, Bayer MaterialScience LLC. "Bayer MaterialScience's hydrophilic coatings are uniquely strong and durable, making them promising for medical device applications where other coatings can fail under stress."

The new hydrophilic coatings from Bayer MaterialScience are custom designed for the medical industry, but are based on polyurethane coatings technology that has long set the standard for resistance to chemical and physical stresses. The hydrophilic coatings offer low swelling compared with competing products.

Two distinct types of formulations are available: aqueous polyurethane dispersions and solvent-borne polyurethane solutions. Certain applications can take advantage of the solvent-free nature and low viscosity of aqueous dispersions. In other cases, solvent-borne coatings characterized by exceptional stability and wet strength are more well-suited.

Samples of these developmental products are being supplied to qualified customers for evaluation. Several formulations are available to meet specific requirements for flexibility, strength, and degree of hydrophilicity. They can be applied to various substrates by spraying, dipping or other methods.

Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with nearly 15,100 employees at 30 sites around the world and 2008 sales of 9.7 billion euros. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical, and sports and leisure industries.

Contact:
Sean Kelly, Phone: 412-777-5200
E-mail: sean.kelly@bayerbms.com

For more information about coatings, adhesives or specialties, call 412-777-3983, e-mail naftainfo@bayerbms.com or visit www.bayermaterialsciencenafta.com.

All Topics