MediShield™ Hydrophilic Coatings

Many medical devices use hydrophobic materials, and need a hydrophilic coating to change the surface property. For example, silicone materials are widely used in medical devices and are highly hydrophobic, while in many applications, such as in contact lenses and other tissue-contacting devices, a hydrophilic surface is needed. It is difficult for a hydrophilic coating to adhere well on the silicone surface, as silicone substrates have low surface energy. Medical Surface has developed durable and optically clear hydrophilic coatings (MediShield™ Hydrophilic Coating) for silicone and other hydrophobic substrates. The coatings have been used to make silicone contact lens surface water-like, prevent “tear breaking”, and improve users’ comfort level. The coatings have also been used for making the silicone components of other medical devices hydrophilic.

Characteristics of the MediShield™ Hydrophilic Coatings include

• It is a one-step, solvent-free coating process
• It is a covalent, durable hydrophilic coating on hydrophobic materials
• It is an optically clear coating, no interference with light transmission through coated surfaces
• It is biocompatible
• It has proven long term stability on silicone and other hydrophobic substrates