As medical research progresses, the use of coatings on biomedical devices has become essential to enhance their functionality and biocompatibility. Coatings can be tailored to modulate the physical and chemical properties of biomaterials, improving their performance in medical applications. 

Biomedical coatings

Optical tensiometers are used to study biomedical coatings

Coatings are applied to a variety of biomedical devices, including implants, sensors, catheters, coronary stents and neural electrodes, to enhance their biocompatibility and functionality in their intended applications. Coatings improve the compatibility of devices with biological tissues, reducing the risk of adverse reactions. 

Optical tensiometers are an invaluable tool in the analysis and characterization of biomedical coatings. They provide quick and precise measurements that are crucial for understanding the interactions between coatings and biological environments.

Biolin Scientific offers award-winning optical tensiometers that are used by top universities and companies worldwide, progressing the development of advanced biomedical coatings.

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Key benefits of optical tensiometers for studying coatings on biomedical devices

Precision and speed

Optical tensiometers provide highly accurate measurements, which are essential for developing reliable biomedical coatings. The precision is achieved through advanced imaging and analyzing techniques. A typical measurement takes only 5-30s.

Versatility

Optical tensiometers can be used to study a wide range of coating materials and can accommodate a variety of sample sizes and geometries, making them suitable for different research and industrial needs. The instruments can measure a wide range of surface properties, including static and dynamic contact angles and surface free energy.

Non-destructive testing

Optical tensiometry is a non-destructive method, meaning it does not alter or damage the sample being tested. This is particularly important in applications where preserving the sample’s integrity is crucial, such as quality control of delicate materials.
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Optimize biomedical coatings with optical tensiometry

  • Determine wettability of biomedical coatings with simple water contact angle measurements 
  • Study adhesion of coating to underlying substrate with contact angle measurements
  • Determine surface free energy to study bacterial and cellular adhesion on coatings
  • Study the effect of surface roughness on cell and bacterial adhesion
  • Measure contact angle with picoliter size droplets to study wettability of small sample areas
  • Measure dynamic contact angles to study advanced materials such as superhydrophobic coatings
  • Use captive bubble contact angle measurement to study wettability of wet substrates

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Wettability Measurements in Biomedical Applications

Wettability of biomedical coatings is crucial as it affects protein adsorption, cell adhesion, blood coagulation and bacterial colonization, significantly influencing the interaction between the coating material and biological tissues. 

To learn about most used wettability measurement methods in biomedical device development, download white paper "Wettability Measurements in Biomedical Applications".

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Measurements

Our optical tensiometers offer several measurement possibilitiess to study coatings on biomedical devices.

Sessile Drop

Contact angle

Batch sessile drop

Surface free energy

3D topography

Surface roughness

Automatic DCA

Dynamic contact angle

Pendant drop

Surface tension

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Combine surface roughness and contact angle measurements

Many surface modification and coating technologies influence both surface chemistry and roughness. Understanding the mechanisms that impact wetting by separating these two factors can be a useful tool in product development processes and in quality control. Roughness correction on contact angles also enables the calculation of fundamental surface free energy on rough surfaces.

We offer a unique solution to measure 3D surface topography and contact angle in the same exact sample location, making it possible to separate the influence of surface chemistry from surface roughness on wetting and adhesion behavior.

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Attension Benefits

Full range of instruments available

From entry level systems to fully automated instruments

Intuitive instruments

Easy to implement in the lab with default recipes in place

All-inclusive OneAttension software

All measurement modes readily available for you to explore

3D Topography Module

Surface roughness and contact angle measurement in the exact same sample location

Superior analysis accuracy

Subpixel analysis accuracy 

Access to Attension academy

Access to comprehensive learning resources such as tutorials, webinars and white papers.

Biolin Scientific offers wide range of optical tensiometers and related accessories under the brand Attension.

Discover Attension tensiometers

Dr. Nicola J. Irwin, Materials Science School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast

The ability to accurately measure contact angle as a measure of surface wettability is of utmost importance as we develop new technologies to prevent medical device-associated issues of infection and tissue trauma. The ease-of-use of the instrument and associated software is a major advantage and the support offered by the team, particularly with new applications, is exceptional.

 

Publications

Dhawan, V.; et al.

Investigation of a chondroitin sulfate-based bioactive coating for neural interface applications

Li, L.; et al.

Superhydrophilic versus normal polydopamine coating: A superior and robust platform for synergistic antibacterial and antithrombotic properties

Zhang, S.; et al.

Enhanced anti-biofilm and anti-protein adsorption properties of liquid-infused silver-polytetrafluoroethylene coatings