How do hydrophilic coatings work?
The supporting polymer network is crosslinked and covalently bound to the substrate. This network is normally non-swellable in water. In LubriLASTTM, a long chain, biocompatible hydrophilic polymer is incorporated into the coating. Part of this long hydrophilic polymer becomes entangled with the supporting network while other part remains exposed and able to become hydrated. When in the presence of water or body fluids, the hydrophilic polymer LubriLASTTM absorbs water molecules to create a watery interface at the surface of the device. The water cushion reduces wet friction, protein adsorption and cell adhesion.
