Canadian Finishing & Coatings Manufacturing Magazine March/April 2022 - 15

INDUSTRIAL FINISHING: MEDICAL COATINGS
minimally invasive and non-invasive treatments, as well as an
increase in hospital-associated infections.
In addition to regulatory constraints imposed by the
government, the most prominent factors predicted to hinder
market growth over the forecast period are price controls.
Regulatory agencies have launched numerous attempts in the
EU and the United States to simplify clinical regulations and
adjustments. The European Union has enacted legislation to
ensure the safety and effectiveness of medical devices used
in clinical environments. The Active Implantable Medical
Devices Directive regulates medical devices that represent
a considerable risk to the patient, such as pacemakers and
deep brain stimulation systems. Similar to this, the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States devised
many regulations for the clearance and approval of medical
device products. Medical coating manufacturers must comply
with these regulations when producing coatings for medical
applications because of the significant risks connected with
using external materials in the human body. The strict standards
and clinical processes have made it difficult for manufacturers to
demonstrate and verify their conformance with the regulations
and procedures.
In 2020, the polymers sector was the material category with
the largest share of the medical coatings market, according to
current market research on the subject. Polymers are defined
by their specific features and ability to perform various
activities. Using them makes it possible to increase scratch
and abrasion resistance, flexibility, and brittleness in many
applications. It is possible to cover medical equipment with
antibacterial polymers such as chitosan, polyether ether ketone
(PEEK), and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) to keep it free of
microorganisms, thanks to the antibacterial characteristics of
these polymers. It is possible to safeguard medical wires using
PTFE coatings that are not acidic in composition. In the medical
field, they are necessary for a large amount of equipment to be
maintained clean and protected from numerous environmental
variables.
A large portion of the coatings industry comprises hydrophilic
and hydrophobic coatings, which are water-attracting coatings
with features such as durability, anti-fogging property, low
particle count, abrasion resistance, low friction coefficient, UV
protection, and biocompatibility. As a result, end-user firms may
utilize them as medical coatings, promising development. As a
result, the availability of novel hydrophilic coating varieties with
improved properties may contribute to the segment's continued
growth momentum over the next few years. Hydrophobic
coatings are coatings that are used to repel water. Hydrophobic
coatings are suitable for use on medical equipment and surgical
Medical coating manufacturers must comply with
these regulations when producing coatings for
medical applications because of the significant
risks connected with using external materials in
the human body.
instruments that may become discoloured due to contact with
fluids or tissue particles-these coatings aid in preserving
surgical instruments' cleanliness for a more extended period.
The need for medical coatings in the medical equipment
business has increased significantly in recent years, as has
the supply of these coatings. Guidance wires, intravascular
catheters, delivery sheaths, balloon angioplasty catheters, and
other types of medical equipment are all examples of medical
equipment
that is often used during minimally invasive
diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Various lubricious
coatings are applied to these devices to reduce friction between
them and the blood vessels. Because of the coatings on these
medical devices, physicians may move around more freely and
create less stress on blood vessels due to their use. The demand
for medical coatings has grown because of rising pressure to
minimize the cost burden of healthcare-associated infections
(HAIs) to implement value-based care.
Except for the first year, North America will see growth in the
predicted years between 2020 and 2025. During this time, the
annual growth rate is expected to vary between 6.53 percent and
7.45 percent. Technological progress in the healthcare business
in the United States and Canada positively influences the
economic development of the two countries' respective regions.
The growing incidence of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs)
and the spread of infectious diseases are among the most serious
concerns facing the healthcare systems in the United States and
Canada. Increasingly common healthcare-associated infections
(HAIs) in North America have increased the demand for medical
coatings, which may be put to various medical equipment to
protect it.
Healthcare practitioners are often challenged to enhance
patient health while lowering the risk of infection in their
patients. Medical coatings with antimicrobial protection for
equipment and instruments that regularly come into touch with
patients have become increasingly popular as a result. Because
of this, manufacturers are turning to non-toxic, biocompatible
antimicrobial coatings that are both biostable and non-toxic.
Surgical tools and implanted devices must be kept clean and
free of bacteria at all times to prevent infection at the surgical
March/April 2022
15
Canadian Finishing & Coatings Manufacturing Magazine March/April 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Canadian Finishing & Coatings Manufacturing Magazine March/April 2022
