Dow Corning launches silicone coatings for latex catheters

By Liz White, ERJ staff

Shenzen, China-At Medtec China 2005 in Shenzhen, Dow Corning revealed that it has developed a two-part silicone elastomer dispersion system to coat latex catheters.

The safe and cost-effective silicone coating "addresses key design and performance issues, simplifies manufacturing processes, and improves catheter properties, providing benefits to both manufacturers and patients," said Dow Corning, in a press statement.

The two-part coating combines Dow Corning's Q7-2630 Dispersion with its Q7-2640 Catalyst, while solvent, Q7-2650 Fluid, dilutes the resulting elastomer dispersion.

Dow Corning, a leading supplier of silicon products and silicone elastomers, says the versatile, easy-to-use coating may be applied by dipping, spraying, or brushing. It forms a tack-free surface in about 30 minutes.

Silicones from Dow Corning offer good physical properties, biocompatibility, and easy processing in medical devices, the firm said.

This silicone elastomer coating offer benefits to patients: the smooth surface reduce friction upon insertion, minimising pain and irritation. It may also decrease any instance of harmful incrustation on latex catheters.

Dow Corning adds that the approach of using a more expensive silicone elastomer as a coating, on a cheaper latex as the primary material, makes this a cost-efficient route for catheter manufacturers.