Nano-coating Protection of Medical Devices

Consumer and industrial products are manufactured from a range of materials that are selected for specific bulk properties, cost and/or ‘look and feel’. However, many materials chosen in this way do not display the optimum surface properties. This presents an opportunity for surface modifications to apply desirable properties such as fire retardancy, anti-microbial, protein resistance and, water and oil repellency. It is critical that these modifications do not alter the bulk properties of the product and retain desirable physical attributes. Additionally, they should be ultra-thin and well adhered. For commercial success, the desired effect needs to be a cost-effective and robust industrial process. Plasmas [1] have long been known for their use for modifying the surface properties of materials [2]. It is widely accepted that fluorinated materials are required for maximizing the levels of liquid repellency [3], [4]. A novel, patented liquid-repellent technology, by P2i, can readily apply a functional nano-coating onto the surface of a wide variety of items made from a diverse range of materials [5]. This is created using a pulsed plasma deposition process at low pressure which allows full penetration of complex products [6]. This liquid repellent effect optimizes the surface properties to radically improve performance and protect items for extended use, adding considerable value to the product in question both as a suitable differentiator and/or a cost saver. This article provides an overview of the technology and examples of its commercial application.