Dry Film Lubricant Addresses Medical Device Tolerances

MicroCare Medical, a supplier ofcleaners, carrier additives, coatings and lubricants, has released the DuraGlidefamily of dry film lubricants. The custom-blended line of lubricants isdesigned to address the specific device tolerances required by medical devicedesign engineers.

Device tolerances are specified by the design engineer to allowreasonable leeway for variability in production of metal stampings, springs andplastic parts. However, these tolerances often stack up against each other inthe manufacturing process, particularly during high-volume production. With itsproprietary microdispersion PTFE technology, DuraGlide dry film lubricantsdeposit a thin, smooth, fast-drying lubricant film over a surface, which isreported to reduce the force needed to actuate thedevice by 25 to 30 percent.

Otherbenefits to DuraGlide dry film lubricants include its nonflammable handling,storage and use, materials compatibility, and environmental properties thatmeet Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations and U.S. EPASignificant New Alternatives Program (SNAP) approval.

DuraGlidedry film lubricants can be custom blended for dip,spray and aerosol applications, and are used on devices or mechanicalassemblies destined for the operating room that function outside of the bodysuch as catheters, cutting tools, staplers, hypotubes, and other surface-to-surfacecomplex assemblies.

Inrelated news, MicroCare Medical recently announced collaboration with DowCorning Corporation to offer DuraGlide siloxane lubricants. These lubricants arelinear polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) based, and are individually calibrated andmixed according to a customer's needs using Dow Corning 360 Medical Fluids anda carrier fluid that deposits the lubricant prior to evaporating, leaving athin, uniform film of PDMS. Because DuraGlide siloxane lubricants are availablein liquid form and not from concentrate (as silicone lubricants are typicallydelivered), this removes the need for the engineer or manufacturer to mix andcalibrate the batch themselves.

Thecoating can be used on a variety of medical devices, such as needles, syringes,blades or other devices that contact skin and require lubrication for betterperformance and patient comfort.  Thefluid is compatible with materials such as glass, metals, plastic and rubber,and can be applied using dipping, wiping, brushing or sprays.