hemocompatible surface technology

PC Technology™ is a proprietary platform of methacrylate polymers incorporating phosphorylcholine (PC). These biomimetic materials are built upon the body’s own chemistry but are totally synthetic, allowing precise control over the purity profile and molecular structure.

When a foreign material comes in contact with the natural vascular wall of the human body, the host defense mechanism gets activated and immediately begins to reject the irritant object through the deposition of lipids and proteins. This response from exposure to a foreign irritant by the hemostatic mechanism is meant to restore cellular integrity. However, if not managed appropriately, such exposure can cause complications ranging from benign inflammation to potentially catastrophic thrombosis.

Medical devices routinely used in blood-contact procedures play a very important role in minimizing the risk of adverse reactions. PC Technology™ offers a truly multifunctional, surface technology to make medical devices more biocompatible.

A clinically proven, time-tested, truly multifunctional surface technology, PC Technology imparts to the device surface antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory, hydrophilic, and antimicrobial properties that reduce biofilm formation and subsequent fouling and encrustation.

features

inspired by nature
biomimetic, yet snthetic
hemocompatible
truly multifunctional
surface technology for medical devices

PC Technology is based on the predominant phospholipid head group found in the outer leaflet of the red blood cell membrane, which contains both positive and negative charges but is overall charge neutral. In contrast, phosphatidylserine lipids contained in the inner layer of the cell membrane and known to play a regulatory role in blood clotting, are negatively charged. This natural biocompatibility between PC and cells is what enables them to interact without adverse reactions and allows blood to flow without clotting. The overall neutrality of PC group is responsible for its high polarity and consequently a natural affinity for water. As a result, materials that incorporate the PC group are surrounded by molecular layers of water that effectively mask the substrate to which it is applied, providing a biological “non-stick” surface that resists protein and cell adhesion.

features and benefits

Truly multi-functional PC coatings offer a range of properties, features, and benefits, enabling an elegant, tailored solution to biocompatibility challenges for medical devices. The clinical benefits of medical devices incorporating PC Technology are well-established, as endorsed through numerous devices by leading medical device manufacturers worldwide. Many scientific papers, including clinical studies, have demonstrated the safety, efficacy, and superiority of PC Technology-enabled surfaces.

biocompatible

The binding of host proteins to the surface of in-contact medical device is recognized to be the beginning of the biofouling process. PC Technology enabled surfaces exhibit a strong resistance to protein and cell adhesion which makes devices more biocompatible.

thromboresistant

PC Technology reduces the adherence of blood components to the surface of the device, significantly improving hemocompatibility, patient safety, and clinical outcomes while also extending the lifetime of the product.

biofilm resistant

Formation of bacterial biofilms on medical devices is a leading cause of device related infections. PC Technology enabled surfaces inhibit the initial adhesion of bacteria, preventing biofilm formation.

inflammation resistant

PC enabled surfaces significantly lowers instances of inflammatory response, which results in reduced fibrosis, scar tissue development and device rejection.

stable, durable

PC coating is designed and applied to be stable and durable so that its effectiveness is longer-lasting.

hydrophilic

PC coating is intrinsically hydrophilic and dehydration resistant, which promotes slippery surfaces, device glide and improved patient comfort.

regulatory approval

PC coating is non-toxic, synthetic, passive, and bioinert. PC coated devices benefit from Medical Device Classification, leading to a significantly faster regulatory approval cycle compared to combination devices.

FDA cleared claims

Access to FDA-cleared claims on hemocompatibility, biofilm formation, and hydration resistance help accelerate the regulatory approval cycle for the development of PC coated devices.

biomimetic materials, based on the body’s own chemistry

healthcare hemocompatible surface technology

Medical devices routinely used in blood-contact procedures play a very important role in minimizing the risk of adverse reactions. PC Technology™ offers a truly multifunctional, surface technology to make medical devices more biocompatible. A clinically proven, time- tested, truly multifunctional surface technology, PC Technology imparts to the device surface antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory, hydrophilic, and antimicrobial properties that reduce biofilm formation and subsequent fouling and encrustation.

pdf an alternative to forever chemicals used in medical devices

pdf Q&A: adhesive and coatings solutions for medical devices

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