The move to catheter-based and minimally invasive procedures is a mega trend in the healthcare industry. These have become the most common way to do almost all types of medical procedures. These range from interventional cardiology and neurovascular to peripheral vascular, urology and beyond. Surgical approaches have been replaced with access points in millimeters rather than inches over the past two decades.1,2
As a result, the way the medical device industry defines device performance has also changed fundamentally. Structural integrity and deployment accuracy are no longer the only performance requirements for a medical device used for these procedures. The critical thing today is the ability of a device to navigate complex anatomical pathways smoothly, safely, and predictably. Devices should be easier for surgeons to use and less painful for patients.
As a result, a critical aspect of this change is the lubricity of device surfaces, which are being brought on by advances in hydrophilic coating technology.2,3
In this article we look at the importance of lubricious surfaces in minimally invasive and catheter-based procedures. We also use Hydromer®’s 40+ years of expertise to dive into the role that hydrophilic medical device coatings play in helping the industry develop innovative, lubricious devices.
Role of Hydrophilic Medical Device Coatings in Minimally Invasive Procedures 4-6
Lubricious, hydrophilic coating technology has experienced rapid adoption in the industry as minimally invasive procedures become prevalent. These procedures rely on advanced interventional devices to be successful, such as:
- Catheters
- Guidewires
- Introducer sheaths
- Stents
- And more
These devices differ from conventional surgical instruments. That is because they must pass through twisted vascular systems and fragile tissues. Any increase in the coefficient of friction reduces the device’s performance and safety to the patient.
Too much friction makes it harder for surgeons to perform the procedure successfully. It also causes more trauma for patients.
Medical-grade, hydrophilic coatings from industry leaders like Hydromer®, Inc. have greatly contributed to OEMs’ ability to develop advanced devices. These coatings provide a lubricated interface that is always slippery-when-wet. There is no need for external lubricants; the coatings are activated by body fluid and moisture. This allows the devices to move freer throughout the body’s complex anatomy.
As a result, there are two distinct benefits to the use of hydrophilic-coated devices:
- Enhanced patient safety through minimized tissue trauma and reduced risk of vascular injury
- Improved procedural efficiency by enabling faster, more controlled device navigation (ie. vascular navigation)
The combination of these two benefits, clinical safety and improving performance during a procedure, has made hydrophilic coatings an essential element of modern interventional medicine.
Reasons Driving the Growth of Minimally Invasive Devices and Procedures 7-10
A major transformation (mega trend) has been occurring within the medical device sector. This is because of the transition to minimally invasive surgery. There is a trend of moving away from large surgical incisions during surgeries. These procedures affect the instrument’s ability to travel through very delicate vascular and anatomical routes. Now, an increased importance has been place on the performance of the devices (instruments) that are used in those procedures.
This shift has been happening for both clinical and economic reasons. We discuss both of these factors in more detail below.
Clinical and Economic Drivers Behind the Minimally Invasive Mega Trend
The rapid adoption of minimal invasive procedures is anchored in measurable benefits. These benefits are for both the patients as well as the healthcare system and provider. They include:
- Faster Recovery & Reduced Hospital Stays: Minimally invasive procedures and devices allow for smaller incisions. As a result, there is reduced trauma to the tissue, producing less pain after surgery and allowing for an earlier discharge from the hospital and a faster return to daily activities.
- Enhanced Safety: There are also safety benefits compared to traditional open surgery. Minimally invasive surgery has consistently been associated with lower rates of infection in the surgical wound. These procedures also result in less blood loss and fewer complications in general. This is good for both healthcare providers and patients.
- Procedural Efficiency: There is a growing adoption of advanced robotic technology and high-tech medical devices. This advanced medical device technology makes performing complicated surgery more efficient. This efficiency decreases the time required to perform a manual surgical procedure. This means more productivity for healthcare providers and faster procedures for patients.
- Expanded Eligibility: These less strenuous techniques allow more patients (e.g., elderly patients or patients with multiple chronic diseases) to have a minimally invasive surgery procedure. In other words, this provides the ability for more patients to experience these benefits.
Device Complexity Meets Anatomical Reality
This shift, and the need for lubricious device surfaces, is also being spurred by another major trend: increasing medical device complexity and interventional medicine advances.
Specifically, devices are becoming:
- Smaller in diameter
- Longer in length
- More complex in design
- More functional
At the same time, they must navigate increasingly challenging environments:
- Tortuous vascular pathways
- Narrow lumens and bifurcations
- Fragile endothelial linings
- Calcified or diseased vessels
These factors create stringent performance requirements that hydrophilic coatings help accomplish, namely:
- Low insertion force
- High trackability
- Reduced frictional resistance (coefficient of friction)
- Minimized vessel trauma
Without effective device surface modification, devices may encounter resistance that compromises both performance and patient outcomes.
The Lubricity Imperative: A Non-Negotiable Surface Modification 6,11
Hydrophilic coatings have evolved from optional surface enhancements to non-negotiable performance requirements in modern device design.
Hydrophilic coatings, such as Hydromer’s advanced coating technologies, absorb and retain water, forming a hydrated interface that significantly lowers the coefficient of friction at the device-tissue boundary.
Performance Benefits of Hydromer® Hydrophilic Coatings
- Ultra-Low Friction Navigation: Devices coated with Hydromer hydrophilic coatings experience smooth passage through complex and distal anatomies
- Reduced Insertion Force: The coatings minimize mechanical stress on tissues, reducing the likelihood of injury.
- Improved Trackability: They enhance the clinician’s ability to steer and position devices with precision.
- Procedural Consistency: Reduce variability across operators and patient anatomies.
Comparing Uncoated vs Hydrophilic Coated Minimally Invasive Devices
Parameters like lubricity and insertion force were once confined to engineering validation. Today, they are recognized as important requirements for both clinical success and device success.
Below we contrast devices with poor surface performance to those coated with hydrophilic coating technology.
Comparison of Clinical Outcomes
Poor device surface performance (namely inadequate lubricity) can lead to:
- Difficulty of the device crossing lesions
- Increased procedural time
- Higher fluoroscopy exposure
- Greater risk of complications
In contrast, optimized hydrophilic coatings contribute to:
- Faster device delivery
- Reduced need for repositioning
- Less trauma
- Lower procedural difficulty
- Improved procedural confidence
This shift underscores a broader industry realization, which is that device handling characteristics directly impact patient outcomes.
Comparison of Insertion Force: Uncoated vs Hydrophilic Coated Devices
Insertion force is one of the clearest demonstrations of the value of hydrophilic medical device coatings.
Uncoated Devices:
- Higher friction at the interface
- Increased push force required
- Elevated risk of endothelial damage
Hydromer-Coated Devices:
- Significantly reduced friction
- Smooth, controlled advancement
- Lower peak and sustained insertion forces
Critical Applications for Hydrophilic Coatings in Minimally Invasive Surgery
This “invisible advantage” is particularly critical in:
- Neurovascular interventions
- Long-length peripheral catheters
Market Impact of Hydrophilic Coatings 4,5,12,13
Minimally invasive procedures use tools like catheters, guidewires, and endoscopes. These devices are increasingly reliant on advanced Hydrophilic Coatings, such as hydrophilic catheter coatings. This is due to the need for lubricity and creating a low-friction surface. This is because these surfaces allow for the navigation of devices through narrow pathways without damaging the blood vessels.
The use of hydrophilic coatings are expected to grow significantly. This is being driven primarily by the increased volume of catheter interventions in the cardiovascular and neurological fields.
In addition to lubrication, new coatings are being designed to provide antimicrobial characteristics and improved biocompatibility. These functional benefits help reduce the risk of infection in these procedures.
Hydromer’s Role: Enabling Performance at the Surface Level 14-16
The hydrophilic coating technologies that have been developed by Hydromer® are essential. They are imperative for creating biocompatible, “slippery-when-wet” surfaces on the surface of devices used in minimally invasive procedures. These highly functional coatings make the device safe to use on patients. They also enhance the performance of devices designed to be used in minimally invasive and diagnostic procedures.
Key Roles of Hydromer® Hydrophilic Coatings in Minimally Invasive Device Performance
- Lubricity & Navigation: Hydrophilic coatings are engineered to reduce the amount of surface friction by more than 95%. This allows the devices to move through the body’s complicated and twisting pathways with as little resistance as possible. This makes procedures more accurate and results in less damage to tissue.
- Safety & Biocompatibility: The coatings imitate the tissue moisture in the body. This prevents the patient’s immune system from reacting to the device or causing pain from the device being used inside the patient’s body. Hydromer’s line of antithrombogenic coatings, such as HydroThrombX™ help prevent blood clots from forming on the devices. This is very important for devices used for cardiovascular and/or neurovascular implants in patients.
- Infection Control: Many of Hydromer’s coatings are designed with antimicrobial properties. This helps prevent microbes from attaching to the coatings and forming biofilms. This in turn can help prevent healthcare-associated infections.
- Longevity: The hydrophilic coatings provide a durable barrier that protects the medical devices from wear and corrosion. This helps in extending the usable life of both temporary and permanent medical devices.
Hydromer operates as a full-service partner, offering Contract Coating Services for both the inner and outer diameters of devices. Their facilities are FDA registered and ISO 13485:2016 certified, ensuring all customized coatings meet strict global safety and performance standards. They also provide contract R&D, regulatory consulting and technology transfer to help manufacturers bring new products to market efficiently.
Conclusion: Lubricity as a Clinical Necessity
Minimally invasive procedures are a mega trend that is changing the landscape of today’s healthcare. however, they also present new performance-related challenges when it comes to the interface between medical devices and human tissue. The application of hydrophilic medical device coatings provides solutions to these challenges. They increase ease of use (reducing friction between the device and tissue), facilitate smoother movement of the device, minimize damage to tissue, and optimize the efficiency of procedures. These advantages went from being a “nice-to-have” to becoming an absolute requirement in modern medicine. As the complexity of medical devices increases, the role of surface science becomes increasingly important. And the role of hydrophilic coatings is critical. Hydromer will continue to lead in providing the technologies necessary to enable next-generation medical devices.
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