Background
The nature of soft elastomers used by the medical device industry dictates
that thin films manufactured by the dipping process can be inherently tacky
and prone to sticking to themselves. This can cause processing problems where
products are stored or dried in bulk. In addition, the common solution to
this problem, which is to cover sticky products with talc, has become technically
unfavourable to the medical device industry. To overcome this problem, RANIER
Technology has developed a range of powder free coating systems to modify
the surface of the thin films and reduce the inherent tackiness to an acceptable
level.
Our
proposition
RANIER Technology Limited has developed and patented a range of coatings technologies
that can provide devices with tailored surface topography ranging from a course
surface roughness to a fine silky finish. The coatings can be provided with
or without inherent lubricity. The flexibility of the system allows RANIER
to provide coatings for different applications based on the same technology.
Examples of such products are Medical Gloves where the user requires a donning
coating to allow the glove to slip easily onto a damp or dry hand. Another
application would be a polyurethane condom where the product is rolled and
lubricated and then stored in a package in the rolled form. The range of stresses
and intimate contact between the films during this process can cause the condom
to weld to itself. This can be overcome by using one of RANIER’s anti-block
coatings. Where wet lubricity is required, a hydrophilic
coating can be provided that forms a highly lubricious surface on contact with water.
Current
Development Status
Several product areas have already been identified as potential routes
of exploitation for the RANIER Coating technology.
RANIER is now looking for further partners to develop and deliver a wider range of products to the market place, utilising its unique coatings technology.
