Fraunhofer Institute for Electron BeamCoatings are playing an increasing role in many areas of medical technology applications. Implants become more compatible or receive a barrier coating that prevents the penetration of body fluids, for example. Demands on biocompatibility and functionality, mechanical resilience and durability are increasing visibly with the development of new types of high-tech implants that are based on electronic components and now even send information from the patient to the doctor without contact or independently regulate the release of active substances. In addition to coatings for use in direct body contact, antimicrobial coatings are becoming increasingly important. Not only in the medical field, but also in everyday use, the number of so-called germ-reducing surfaces is increasing. The possibilities of the Fraunhofer FEP to produce such surfaces range from traditional metal coatings (e.g. with silver) to photocatalytically active coatings and grafting processes to specifically prevent the colonization of certain organisms or viruses.
- Antimicrobial coatings
- Modification / optimization of biocompatibility e.g. of polymers or passive layers
- Development of the use of transparent, conductive layers for medical technology applications (e.g. indium tin oxide (ITO) and aluminum doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Al, AZO)).
- Improvement of biofunctionality e.g. through switchable surfaces (deactivated/activated)
- Photocatalytic titanium oxide coating of medical devices and medical products
- Coating and shielding of electromagnetic fields and electrical insulation layers to improve function (e.g. cardiac pacemakers)
- Grafting and crosslinking of the surface (molecules) of polymers and biological materials against in vivo degeneration or for targeted control of cell reaction
- Reduction of biocorrosion and abrasion in implants
- Specific wetting behavior towards biological media
- Hydrophilic/hydrophobic surfaces
- Printed elastomer-based implants
- Active material composites for looseness-free implants
- Carbon layer systems for endoprostheses