A wide variety of coatings can be added to the surface of a balloon to enhance or
change its properties to meet new requirements. Balloon coatings include the following:
- Lubricious coatings (hydrophilic and hydrophobic)
- Abrasion and puncture resistant coatings
- Tacky or high-friction coatings
- Conductive coatings
- Anti-thrombogenic coatings
- Drug-release coatings
- Reflective coatings
- Selective coatings
PUNCTURE RESISTANT BALLOONS FOR STENT DELIVERY AND STENT RETENTION
Advanced Polymers has developed puncture resistant, high-pressure angioplasty
balloons to increase safety for high pressure angioplasty and stent delivery procedures.
This medical-break through is made possible with the use of a patented coating co-developed
and exclusively licensed by Advanced Polymers.
This patented coating virtually eliminates the chance of an angioplasty balloon
being punctured or damaged during stent delivery and/or post-stent dilatation. Also,
it increases the coefficient of friction between the stent and the balloon surface
and provides excellent stent retention, eliminating movement or slippage during
delivery and deployment. This is a critical issue for high pressure balloon stenting
procedures, as many previously unspoken concerns about stent slippage are coming to
the forefront.
The coating, which can be produced from a variety of polymers depending on the application
(polyurethane is typical and acrylic are typical), is applied to a balloon after
a proprietary surface treatment by dipping it into a liquid form of the chosen polymer,
followed by oven drying. The drying process also allows for cross-linking of
the coating to occur, which helps to strengthen the coating and provide more durability,
better bond adhesion and increased resistance to solvents and other chemicals.