Sheaths play a crucial role in cardiology, radiology, and other interventional procedures. Their main purpose is to create a channel for the smooth insertion of medical devices, such as catheters. Introducer sheaths eliminate the need to re-puncture the vessel for repeated catheterization. As a result they ensure the safe and smooth insertion of other devices while reducing trauma. But their use can create potential complications during the insertion of the sheath. This is where hydrophilic coated introducer sheaths are beneficial. These medical device coatings reduce friction and improve the maneuverability of the sheath.
Make sure to read this article till the end if you are interested in learning the benefits of hydrophilic sheath coatings.
Most Common Surface Modifications for Sheaths
The right surface treatment for a medical sheath depends upon the desired outcome for the device.
Below we discuss the most common surface modifications and the benefits of each:
- Hydrophilic Sheath Coatings: Hydrophilic medical coatings are water-loving. These coatings attract and react with surrounding water molecules to create a highly lubricious, thin layer. These coatings reduce friction and improve maneuverability during operational procedures.
- Hydromer® Hydrophilic Medical Coatings can be formulated to serve as lubricious, antimicrobial, and thromboresistant coatings.
- Antimicrobial Coatings: These coatings, which are often also hydrophilic coatings, prevent the adhesion and proliferation of microbes on medical devices. They play a critical role in improving the safety of infection-prone medical devices. Learn more about Antimicrobial Coatings for Medical Devices.
- Heparin Coatings: These are well-known anticoagulants that interfere with the blood clotting process. Blood clotting can lead to serious health issues like blockages that may result in life threatening situations. Heparin coatings are designed to improve hemocompatibility (blood compatibility) and reduce the risk of thrombosis (blood clotting within vessels).
- Thromboresistant Medical Coatings are a type of hydrophilic coating. They are used to reduce blood clotting when coming in contact with medical devices, such as introducer sheaths. By reducing the adherence of blood to the surface of the device, these coatings dramatically improve patient safety and clinical outcomes.
- Hydrophobic Coatings: Hydrophobic coatings are an alternative to hydrophilic coatings. Cardiovascular sheaths can be coated with hydrophobic coatings to reduce cell adhesion and prevent thrombosis. They repel water and other bodily fluids during insertion with the help of materials such as silicone oils, perylene, and polytetrafluoroethylene. Learn more about hydrophilic vs hydrophobic coatings.
What are Hydrophilic Coated Introducer Sheaths?
Hydrophilic coated sheaths are advanced medical devices that are coated with hydrophilic coatings.
What is a hydrophilic coating?
The term “hydro” means water, and “philic” means affinity or love-for. As such, hydrophilic coatings modify the coated surface and make it water-loving. This creates a lubricious surface with high wettability and low friction. If you want to learn more, you can read our guide on Hydrophilic Coatings for Medical Devices.
Hydrophilic coated introducer sheaths are intended to reduce friction and improve patient comfort during insertion. These sheaths are mainly used during catheterizations, endovascular interventions, and urological procedures.
When a hydrophilic coated introducer sheath is exposed to bodily fluids it forms a thin, lubricious layer on the outer surface. This lubricious layer reduces the risk of trauma to blood vessels, etc. And it allows for proper and controlled insertion. Both ensure less trauma and faster recovery.
They are also used to avoid potential harm to surrounding tissues and prevent post-procedure complications leading to longer hospital stays.
Studies show that only 7% of patients experienced discomfort during the removal of hydrophilic coated sheaths. This is compared to 27% in the uncoated sheath group. The pullback force was significantly lower in the hydrophilic coated sheath group. These findings suggest that hydrophilic coated sheaths are a crucial instrument for accessing the body’s internal systems.
5 Benefits of Using a Hydrophilic Coated Introducer Sheath
The need for hydrophilic coated introducer sheaths is on the rise. They are far more beneficial than traditional sheaths in terms of minimizing patient discomfort and improving patient safety.
Here are the top 5 benefits of using sheaths coated with hydrophilic coatings:
1. Enhanced Lubricity
Lubricity is a crucial property for invasive medical devices. Hydrophilic coatings are activated when exposed to bodily fluids. It results in a thin, lubricious layer on the surface of the sheath. Such a layer has high wettability and low to no friction. This helps ensure safe and smooth insertion into the body. Additionally, the force required during advancement of the sheath is also significantly less compared to a traditional sheath.
2. Improved Patient Comfort
In general, the insertion and removal of a sheath in the body are considered to be painful processes. Using hydrophilic coated introducer sheaths help tackle this problem. Because they are hydrophilic they are lubricious and greatly reduce friction. This allows the sheath to glide smoothly in the body. As a result, this reduces potential damage to surrounding tissues and trauma to blood vessels.
The end result is improved patient comfort, reduced trauma, and faster recovery times.
This benefit has made the use of hydrophilic coatings commonplace with medical devices used during minimally invasive treatments and cardiovascular therapeutic procedures.
3. Reduced Risk of Contamination
Improper or rough insertion of a sheath can lead to micro-tears in body tissues. These can become easy entry points for bacteria and pathogens if not treated immediately. Hydrophilic sheath coatings can be formulated to help prevent microbial adhesion. They act as a physical barrier against bacterial colonization.
In turn, the coating serves as a physical barrier against bacterial colonization. Hydrophilic-coated sheaths are particularly beneficial in the case of urinary catheters, which are more prone to biofilm-related complications.
4. Biocompatibility & Thromboresistance
Adverse reactions such as inflammation or infection are common when medical devices such as sheaths are inserted into the human body. This highlights the need for safe and biocompatible medical devices.
Hydrophilic sheath coatings can be formulated to be biocompatible meaning the body will not reject it.
Hydrophilic coatings are also antithrombogenic. This helps to reduce blood clotting when coming in contact with the sheath. By reducing the adherence of blood to the surface of the device, these coatings dramatically improve patient safety and clinical outcomes.
These properties allow hydrophilic coated sheaths to stay in the body longer without complications and increase patient safety.
5. Quick Recovery
As we discussed earlier, hydrophilic coatings ensure smooth insertion and reduce procedural trauma. It leads to faster recovery. Studies also show that patients treated with hydrophilic coated sheaths were able to return to their normal activities more quickly compared to traditional sheaths.
Hydromer® Advanced Medical Device Coatings for Introducer Sheaths
Hydromer, Inc. is a leading, US-based hydrophilic coatings manufacturer. For 40+ years we have formulated and supplied high-performance hydrophilic medical coatings.
Our medical coatings have highly sought-after performance attributes, such as:
- Excellent lubricity (reduced device friction)
- Low particulate
- Enhanced adhesion
- Thromboresistance to reduce blood clotting
- Durability
- Compatibility with a wide range of medical devices
- Drug-eluting capabilities
- Antimicrobial
- Wettability
- Biocompatibility
But what sets Hydromer apart from the competition is our extensive line of support services. No matter what stage of the product development process you are in, we can help. From R&D to contract coating and coatings supply to technology transfer we can help you accomplish your specific product goals.
Contact our team to learn about our wide range of services below:
- Research and development (R&D) services
- In-house contract coating services
- Worldwide supply of advanced hydrophilic coatings
- Specialized analytical testing
- Custom machine building
- Turn-key operations
- Technology transfer services
- Technical & regulatory consulting and support services
Get in touch with Hydromer
Phone: +1 704-490-4031
Email: in**@******er.com
