Cetry Products: EMPEH Coating

The EMPEH coating features a combination of heparin-based anti-thromboginicity and a low coefficient of friction. The coating is especially suited for the inner surfaces of various kinds of invasive catheters, including those for cardiology. The low coefficient of friction does not depend on hydration - this is not a hydrogel. It performs between that of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and PTFE. However, friction increase due to fibrin adhesion/thrombus formation - during the clinical procedure - is blocked. This in effect makes it surpass the low-friction action of for instance high-density polyethylene. The coating can be applied to a wide variety of polymers, including nylon, PE and PVC.
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Key Properties:

• Typical coefficient of friction (dry and wet): 0.07 - 0.12 (see table below)
• Supporting drug: Heparin
• Biological Activity: Anti-thrombogenic
• Typical activity after sterilization: 0.07 IU of heparin per square centimeter
• Very thin - original dimensions of the medical device will not be compromised
• Very low particulate generation upon abrasive use (well within EP/USP limits)
• Suited for polymeric surfaces: nylons - linear polyurethanes - PE - PP - PVC (photograph above) - several silicones
• Limited applicability to metals
• Colorless / transparent
• Mild solvent-based coating process

Typical Applications:

• PTA & PTCA lumen treatment - reduction of friction between inner surface of the catheter and the guide-wire / fights lumen clogging. Added advantage: There is no need any more for extrusion of polyethylene lining - single layer extrusion suffices.
• Microcatheter lumen treatment (neurology) - reduction of friction between inner surface of the catheter and the guide-wire as well as reduction of thrombus formation by the blood that enters the microcatheter. Ideally to be combined with a lubricious hydrogel coating on the outside.
• Infusion and transfusion catheters - reduction of thrombus formation

Coefficients of static friction for the EMPEH coating in comparison to PTFE teflon, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and nylon-12 (N12). Do realize that, when exposed to living blood, thrombus formation on N12, LDPE and PTFE deteriorates friction performance. EMPEH does not allow thrombus formation, because of its heparin content.

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