Technology Overview
Coating Process
Easy and flexible application
The Bactiguard® coating consist of an extremely thin noble metal alloy (Pd, Au) that is chemically bonded to the surface of medical devices. The coating is applied through a patented wet dipping chemical process that ensures uniformity and firm bonding to the surface of the medical device. The coating is uncomplicated to apply and to scale up, even on very complex geometries, and is applicable on all materials typically used for medical devices. Also, it is applied on the finished product, and consequently does not affect the primary production process.
The Bactiguard® coating can be applied in room temperature on all types of materials typically used for medical device purposes. The table gives a few examples of Bactiguard® applicable materials.
No changes in mechanical properties or handling characteristics
The deposited coating consists of noble metals only, without the use of any carrier. As a result there is no negative impact on the device properties, e.g. with regard to thickness or stiffness of the coated material. Thus, there is no need to change the hospital procedure, as is the case with other products that require pre-soaking to allow embedded metal particles to reach the surface. A device coated with Bactiguard® is identical to an uncoated device in terms of shape, size and handling characteristics. By small alterations in the coating process it is possible to apply different amounts of the noble metals onto the substrate.
A coated device is identical to an uncoated in appearance in terms of shape, size, mechanical properties and handling characteristics, there are no differences. The coating has no specific packaging requirements and can be sterilized by EtO (ethylene oxide), β (beta)- or γ (gamma)-irradiation.
Tailored adherence gives prolonged protection
Another important feature with the Bactiguard® coating is that it can be tailored to adhere very strongly to the base material. This is important when a long-term protection is required. Many other types of coatings quickly disintegrate on a relatively short time frame while the Bactiguard® coating offers a prolonged protection.
