May 12 2005
CSMA, materials analysis expert and subsidiary of CERAM, the internationally renowned centre for materials and technology based in Stoke-on-Trent, has developed a unique range of tests for the characterisation and analysis of coatings for catheter tubing.
There are currently no industry standards for the testing of catheter tubing, therefore CSMA has designed a standard suite of tests to help the catheter manufacturing industry research and develop their products.
CSMA is the only company in Europe to offer such a service.
The suite of tests for catheter tube coatings, includes the determination of frictional and wear parameters as well as dynamic contact angle analysis to investigate the hydrophilicity of catheter tubing. Topographic properties, coating thickness and uniformity are also determined.
The tests developed by CSMA use techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and 3DP profiling to characterise the surface of the catheter tubing.
Tony Kinsella, managing director of CSMA commented: “Surface analysis is an important tool in the safe development of maintenance of a vast range of products and can make the difference between success and product failure. Nowhere is this difference more important than in the medical sector.
“We do whatever is required to thoroughly examine and understand a surface which sometimes means developing new methods and standards. The resources at our disposal at our Stoke facility mean that we are ideally placed for such work.”
For more information on catheters, click here.