Coating Characterisation, Including Drug Release

With the development of drug release coatings the need for precise characterisation of the outer surface of any medical device is becoming increasingly critical.

Techniques such as XPS, ToFSIMS, DSIMS and 3DP can be utilised to:

• Determine the chemical composition of the coating, both elemental and molecular composition.



• Map the distribution of any species of interest by elemental, molecular and oxidation-state imaging.



• Measure the thickness of the coating. By monitoring individual elements precise thickness measurements can be obtained.



• Characterisation of multi-layer coatings. Depth profiling techniques monitor elements of interest with depth.



• Provide topographical information such as surface roughness, peak height and surface porosity and surface void volume.

Intricate surfaces of medical devices can now be more evenly coated thanks to a new system that CERAM has developed. The plasma tumbler, which expands the existing capabilities of plasma treatment, allows complete immersion of the samples in the plasma discharge. All surfaces of the samples are exposed to the reactive species of the plasma, enabling complete treatment of three-dimensional objects with complex geometries, even in recessed areas.

We also offer surface analysis of products treated in-house or previously modified elsewhere. Ideal for product development, the CERAM plasma tumbler and surface analysis services are a cost-effective way of identifying the best coating method.