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Radiopaque coatings developed by Implant Sciences are applied to medical devices to make them visible under fluoroscopy. The proprietary coating absorbs x-rays, making treated catheters, stents, and other devices easily visible with fluoroscopy. Radiopaque coatings eliminate the need for electroplated, crimped, or swaged metal bands that can be abrasive, loosen, crack, or fall off.
Interventional cardiology devices
Same devices under x-ray
Radiograph of guidewire with radiopaque bands.
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| Radiopaque Coatings
The biocompatible coatings are deposited by a vacuum process, known as microfusion™, resulting in a thin but extremely dense layer that provides high contrast and bright edges when viewed on film or fluoroscope. The coatings are a combination of noble metals, and can be applied in any pattern.
Interlayers are sometimes used to optimize adhesion, depending on the substrate material and the device application. Stainless steel and nitinol, for instance, do not usually require an interlayer, while Teflon® and polyurethane typically do. Due to the mechanical properties of the coating materials and the ability of the proprietary process to control stresses in the growing film, the coatings can bend and flex and are ideal for stent, guidewire, and catheter applications.
‹ MEDICAL DEVICE GLOSSARY OF TERMS
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Microfused radiopaque coating being applied to guidewires.
Radiopaque coatings applied to vascular catheter and guidewires
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Microfusion™ is an ion assisted process which simultaneously ion bombards the depositing coating. The resulting coating is extremely well-adhered, dense, and flexible.
As shown in the figure, ions are accelerated from the plasma in an unbalanced magnetic field. These ions bombard the surface of the device being coated as the metal atoms simultaneously deposit.
Multiple heads can be coupled providing a second source of argon ions and metal atoms. This technology permits large-scale production.
For additional information: ISC Technical Article: Marking Devices with Radiopaque Coatings published in Medical Device and Diagnostic Industry Magazine [VIEW ARTICLE].
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