Surface Reformation of Medical Devices with DLC Coating

Abstract

We evaluated the adhesion, friction characteristics, durability against bodily acids, sterilization, cleaning, and anti-reflection performance of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings formed as a surface treatment of intracorporeal medical devices. The major coefficients of friction during intubation in a living body in all environments were lower with DLC coatings than with black chrome plating. DLC demonstrated an adhesion of approximately 24 N, which is eight times stronger than that of black chrome plating. DLC-coated samples also showed significant stability without being damaged during acid immersion and high-pressure steam sterilization, as suggested by the results of durability tests. In addition, the coatings remained unpeeled in a usage environment, and there was no change in the anti-reflection performance of the DLC coatings. In summary, DLC coatings are useful for improving intracorporeal device surfaces and extending the lives of medical devices.