Why Hemocompatible Coatings
The interaction of medical devices with blood leads to cellular as well as humoral reactions, which can result in an unwanted inflammation and activation of the coagulation cascade.
Blood contacting medical devices utilize a wide range of plastics, metals and alloys. These materials have excellent mechanical and physical properties, however, they have variable hemocompatibility and when in contact with blood can lead to a pathophysiological reaction similar to traumatic shock. Therefore, minimization of the activation mechanisms induced by the foreign surfaces used in blood contacting medical devices is of top priority.
While heparin coatings have been the standard for more than 30 years, new surface treatments, mainly without heparin are becoming the physician preference. Hemocompatibility is not only characterized by the reduction of thrombus progression but also by reduced thrombin formation rate, less platelet loss and less activation of platelets, leukocytes, and lower inflammatory response reactions (e.g. complement system etc.) The long-term aim is to create an optimal biocompatible surface that is not recognised as a “foreign surface” by the blood and does not provoke any pathological response.
Smart Reactors Camouflage™ coating technology serves this clinical need and contributes to a truly biocompatible surface with minimal pathological response.
Why Hemocompatible Coatings
The interaction of medical devices with blood leads to cellular as well as humoral reactions, which can result in an unwanted inflammation and activation of the coagulation cascade.
Blood contacting medical devices utilize a wide range of plastics, metals and alloys. These materials have excellent mechanical and physical properties, however, they have variable hemocompatibility and when in contact with blood can lead to a pathophysiological reaction similar to traumatic shock. Therefore, minimization of the activation mechanisms induced by the foreign surfaces used in blood contacting medical devices is of top priority.
While heparin coatings have been the standard for more than 30 years, new surface treatments, mainly without heparin are becoming the physician preference. Hemocompatibility is not only characterized by the reduction of thrombus progression but also by reduced thrombin formation rate, less platelet loss and less activation of platelets, leukocytes, and lower inflammatory response reactions (e.g. complement system etc.) The long-term aim is to create an optimal biocompatible surface that is not recognised as a “foreign surface” by the blood and does not provoke any pathological response.
Smart Reactors Camouflage™ coating technology serves this clinical need and contributes to a truly biocompatible surface with minimal pathological response.