Hygiene, corrosion resistance and durability are all important factors when it comes to medical equipment. Every piece of equipment in a hospital or healthcare facility must be safe for use in an environment where patients are particularly susceptible to infection. It is also important they are hardwearing and do not require finishing on a regular basis, which can absorb time and funds that could be better spent on patient care.

Choosing the right coatings can promote longevity, hygiene, ease of use and safety for patients and staff in hospitals.

Teflon

A non-stick coating, Teflon is ideal for preventing build-ups of grease or dirt on medical equipment. Its low friction properties also mean when Teflon is applied to medical devices that are inserted inside patients, it increases ease of insertion and reduces discomfort. Teflon can be used to coat:

• •Electrodes used in electrosurgical equipment
• •Glass lab equipment including flasks, lenses, beakers and cylinders (a Teflon coating of these items can prevent breakages caused by chemical reactions with the glass)
• •Some catheters
• •Orthopaedic devices
• •Respiratory devices

Thermoplastic Coating

A soft, easy-to-clean powder coat finish, thermoplastic coatings are ideal for many healthcare uses. Thermoplastic coatings are impact resistant and can withstand harsh chemicals, meaning they can be regularly sterilised without degrading the surface. They also have good resistance to temperature fluctuation, making them warm to the touch, and offer good grip characteristics, so patients can hold onto handles even with wet hands.

Thermoplastic coating can be used for:

• •Wheelchair frames
• •Shower chairs
• •Hoists
• •Bed components 

Anodising

The most useful feature of anodising is its corrosion resistance, which is ideal for medical equipment that must remain clean, sterile and free of contaminated particles. Anodising is suitable for:

• •Medical instruments
• •Medical cases and trays 

Abrasive Blasting

Abrasive blasting is ideal for deburring, degreasing and removing surface contaminants from medical instruments and other components, promoting hygiene and making them safer for patient contact. Depending on the size of the abrasive particles used, blasting can be applied to large or small components. Abrasive blasting is often used for:

• •Medical implants 
• •Needles
• •Stents 
• •Scalpels

Blasting also provides a smooth, hygienic finish for machine parts, such as the trays used in sleep apnoea machines. Read more on DECO’s blasted trays for sleep apnoea machines here.

 Blasting your components is also an effective pre-treatment prior to coating, ensuring no grime or contaminated particles are left on the surface of the part which might compromise or degrade the finish. 

To find out how DECO’s industrial coatings can benefit your medical components, contact us. 

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Case Study: Blasted Sleep Apnoea Trays

Need a hardwearing finish? Try thermoplastic coating