GE’S NEW LSR TOP COAT DRIVES USE OF LIQUID INJECTION-MOLDED SILICONE ELASTOMERS IN HEALTHCARE

BERGEN OP ZOOM, The Netherlands — June 29, 2004 — To meet healthcare industry needs for improved performance and cleanliness of medical devices, GE Advanced Materials, a division of General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), introduced a new top coat for liquid injection-molded silicone elastomers today at the Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) Expo East. Called LSR Top Coat, the product significantly lowers the coefficient of friction (COF) on the surface of molded parts such as catheters, prosthetics, and valves for higher performance, reduced sticking and re-healing, and greater wear resistance. These properties open up new healthcare applications for liquid injection-molded silicone elastomers and offer the industry the opportunity to use these highly versatile materials in a wider range of devices.

GE Advanced Materials’ LSR Top Coat addresses two of the main challenges that previously limited the use of liquid injection-molded silicone elastomers in healthcare applications. By lowering the COF by up to 56 percent vs. uncoated silicone elastomers, LSR Top Coat can dramatically reduce undesirable friction such as high insertion forces in catheters, sticking of external dental molds, and re-healing of mechanical diaphragms and seals. Further, the reduced COF helps prevent adhesion of dust particles to the surface of the silicone elastomers for a higher level of cleanliness, a critical concern in the healthcare environment.

Historically, several methods have been utilized to reduce the COF of elastomers, including vapor deposition coatings and lubricating fluids. Both have drawbacks: vapor deposition requires the use of high-vacuum systems, which can be time-consuming and expensive, and lubricating fluids are typically unsuitable for use in healthcare applications. In contrast, GE’s new LSR Top Coat can be easily applied using a number of different methods including dipping, spraying, brushing, and, prior to curing, in an air-circulating oven. A wide cure profile window (10 to 30 minutes at 100 C to 180 C) offers flexibility.

Another advantage of LSR Top Coat is that multiple applications are not required; in fact, the best COF values were obtained from a single spray coating. This factor makes LSR Top Coat an economical choice.

The new coating opens opportunities to use GE’s LIM® and LSR elastomers in additional molded and tubing/extrusion applications. These include:

• Foley, urethral, and incontinence catheters;

• IV and infusion therapy needles and check valves;

• Dental impression molds;

• Fluid transfer devices;

• Peristaltic pump tubing; and

• Healthcare equipment grips and handles.

LSR Top Coat also enables elastomers to perform better in current applications. Further, the top coat can be applied to molded parts for consumer goods and automotive applications, including connectors.

“The recent opening of our new custom formulation facility in Garrett, Ind., underscores the commitment of GE Advanced Materials to provide liquid silicone elastomer solutions for the healthcare industry, as well as in consumer goods and automotive,” said Sharon Shatto, industry manager, Healthcare & Consumer Goods, GE Advanced Materials. “Now we are delivering on that commitment with innovative products like LSR Top Coat to address the needs of the healthcare sector for specialized materials that enable ever-smaller devices at higher production rates – without compromising quality.”

Reader enquiries

GE Bayer Silicones GmbH & Co. KG
Building V7
51368 LEVERKUSEN
Germany

Robert Scheib
robert.scheib@ge.com

Tel: +49 214 306 71 37
Fax: +49 214 306 71 26
Germany

+49 214 306 71 37

robert.scheib@​ge.com

www.ge.com