A wide variety of coatings can be added to the surface of a balloon to enhance or change its properties to meet new requirements. Balloon coatings include the following:
PUNCTURE RESISTANT BALLOONS FOR STENT DELIVERY AND STENT RETENTION
Advanced Polymers has developed puncture resistant, high-pressure angioplasty balloons to increase safety for high pressure angioplasty and stent delivery procedures. This medical-break through is made possible with the use of a patented coating co-developed and exclusively licensed by Advanced Polymers.
This patented coating virtually eliminates the chance of an angioplasty balloon being punctured or damaged during stent delivery and/or post-stent dilatation. Also, it increases the coefficient of friction between the stent and the balloon surface and provides excellent stent retention, eliminating movement or slippage during delivery and deployment. This is a critical issue for high pressure balloon stenting procedures, as many previously unspoken concerns about stent slippage are coming to the forefront.
The coating, which can be produced from a variety of polymers depending on the application (polyurethane is typical and acrylic are typical), is applied to a balloon after a proprietary surface treatment by dipping it into a liquid form of the chosen polymer, followed by oven drying. The drying process also allows for cross-linking of the coating to occur, which helps to strengthen the coating and provide more durability, better bond adhesion and increased resistance to solvents and other chemicals.