Latest advances in thin films

Tecvac’s Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) processes allow a wide choice of metals, ceramics, and organic compounds to be applied to metal, ceramic and polymeric substrates.  Substantial changes can be made at the molecular scale level in surface layers of plastics and other materials using low temperature plasma techniques.  These services and technologies support medical applications in orthopaedics, cardiology and other medical sectors including knee and hip implants and other implants and medical equipment.

 

Thin film coatings

Tecvac’s thin film coatings, special purpose thin film processing equipment and advanced plasma systems, allied to the latest developments in surface engineering,  allow clinicians and biomedical engineers to accurately specify surface performance, whether it is for an implant destined to spend decades inside the body or to minimise the amount of a drug adhering to  packaging or delivery systems. These technologies offer significant benefits in a number of crucial areas. These include, wear resistance, biocompatibility improvements, drug delivery enhancements, extended implant life and performance, friction reduction, controlled surface adhesion or bonding, matching advanced materials to clinical needs, sterilisation and infection control.

 

PVD  treatments

Physical vapour deposition techniques developed by Tecvac apply thin films of Titanium Nitride, an inert, biocompatible, very hard, and wear-resistant ceramic material to artificial joints, implants and prosthetic items for many years.  This technology now extends to many other more advanced compounds with a huge variety of biomedical applications.  More recently Tecvac has introduced carbon-based coatings, and can now apply a range of Diamond like Carbon (DLC) coatings too many substrates used in medical applications.

 

Plasma treatments

Tecvac's research team designs surface engineering solutions, and builds specialist research machines.  Tecvac’s recently developed  desktop, low temperature plasma treatment system will modify a variety of polymer surfaces and  solid plastic components, sheet and fibre to change lubricity, adhesion, permeability, biocompatibility, wetting or other characteristics.

 

Sales contact:  Ian Haggan at Tecvac on  +44 (0) 1954 233700

 

 

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TECVAC PVD biocompatible coatings

Tecvac Ltd

Buckingway Business Park,

Swavesey,

Cambridge, UK

CB24 5UG

+44 (0)1954 233700

 

Tecvac is a Wallwork company