Medical application

Physical vapor deposition (PVD) coating process has been widely used to deposit wearresistant thin-film coatings on a variety of medical devices, including orthopedic implants, pacemakers, surgical instruments, orthodontic appliances and dental instruments. The thin layer deposited using PVD technology has capability to enhance the surface properties of a device without disturbing the underlying material properties and biomechanical functionality.

PVD coatings provide various benefits to medical devices in addition to hardness and adhesion. Being inert in nature, coating enhances the corrosion resistant property of the devices and instruments. Also, the biocompatibility nature of coating favours for its application to medical devices. Therefore, the biocompatibility tests (cytotoxicity test) of all the coatings were done.

SMT’s Medical application coatings range are biocompatible certified based on a series of tests conducted by an independent biological-testing laboratory. These tests were conducted in accordance with ISO 10993-5/12 guidelines. The results reveal that these coatings can be suitable for external and internal medical instruments and devices that contact bone, skin tissue or blood.