Advanced lubricious hydrophilic coating now available, designed to enhance maneuverability of metal guidewires, uncoiled and coiled, in minimally invasive procedures.

DSM Biomedical, a global biomaterials company serving the medtech and biotech industries and a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal DSM N.V., announced today that it has launched a new application for ComfortCoat™, an advanced lubricious hydrophilic coating designed to enhance maneuverability of metal guidewires in minimally invasive procedures. For example, minimally invasive procedures are carried out to treat strokes, brain aneurysms, and other neurovascular diseases.

Metal guidewires are more easily maneuvered within a patient's vasculature when the friction between the walls of the vessel and the intravascular guidewire is reduced by coating the device with a hydrophilic compound that becomes slippery after adsorbing water—for example, when the coated device is exposed to water prior to insertion into a patient or into a patient's blood during use. However, it is important to note that, typically, hydrophilic coatings cannot be applied to metal guidewires because their adhesion to metal is poor, especially in the case of coiled guidewires. With ComfortCoat, adhesion to metal is not a problem; lubricity is maintained on the metal guidewire, which may enhance neurovascular maneuverability.

“Of course, the coating on a medical device can make a significant difference in patient care and comfort. Every year, tens of millions of patients undergo procedures involving guidewires and catheters. Uncoated or poorly coated devices can cause trauma to blood vessels and other tissue, and can affect the success of procedures in which they’re used,” said John Marugg, DSM Biomedical’s Business Manager for ComfortCoat.

“Our new grade of ComfortCoat is designed to offer several critically important benefits for metal guidewires, including lubricity, durability, abrasion resistance, and biocompatibility,” added Marugg. “ The advanced lubricity of ComfortCoat can significantly reduce the friction of medical devices, especially vascular guidewires. This can help surgeons or physicians to better navigate through torturous pathways, occlusions or even-smaller vessels, to reach the areas targeted for treatment—without using too much force.”

ComfortCoat’s highly lubricious coating for metal guidewires is now available to medical device companies for testing and can be used for both coiled and uncoiled guidewires.

About DSM Biomedical
DSM Biomedical develops novel materials-based solutions to meet the present and future needs of the medical device and pharmaceutical industries. Its portfolio includes coatings, drug delivery platforms and a wide range of biomedical materials for use in short- and long-term implantable medical devices. DSM’s current biomedical portfolio includes ComfortCoat™ hydrophilic and antimicrobial coating technology for catheters, guidewires and stent delivery systems; and Dyneema Purity®, a high-performance polyethylene fiber technology that has been developed specifically for use in medical applications, such as orthopedic implants. In drug delivery, DSM employs the Trancerta® Drug Delivery approach, which is based on DSM’s core strengths in polymers combined with its extensive in-house library of synthesis methods, formulation and processing techniques. Last year the company acquired the Polymer Technology Group, a market leader in the field of biomedical polymers. Furthermore, a research and development program specifically aimed at extending DSM’s material portfolio for the orthopedic industry has been started. For more information, visit www.dsmbiomedical.com.

DSM – the Life Sciences and Materials Sciences Company
Royal DSM N.V. creates innovative products and services in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences that contribute to the quality of life. DSM’s products and services are used globally in a wide range of markets and applications, supporting a healthier, more sustainable and more enjoyable way of life. End markets include human and animal nutrition and health, personal care, pharmaceuticals, automotive, coatings and paint, electrical and electronics, life protection and housing. DSM has annual net sales of EUR 9.3 billion and employs some 23,500 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in the Netherlands, with locations on five continents. DSM is listed on Euronext Amsterdam. More information: www.dsm.com.