Parylene Protects Implantable Medical Devices

Posted by Jake Hinojoza on Jul 5, 2017 9:00:00 AM
Jake Hinojoza

Electronics are becoming smaller and smaller every day. The inner workings of electronics, however tiny, still need to be protected. Now imagine how small the inner workings of a medical implantation device are. The best protection for these little electronic pieces is with a parylene conformal coating.

Why Parylene?

Parylene, unlike other conformal coatings, is deposited in vapor form rather than wet such as dipping, spraying, or brushing. The unique application process allows it to cover the entire area in need of protection. The deposition technique transforms powder parylene into a gaseous form at the molecular level. The vapor format can easily coat an electronic component evenly, creating a durable covering. For this reason, parylene is seen as a superior conformal coating. It does not leave cracks or coat unevenly.

Medical implants are coated in parylene because it is very thin and durable.

Benefits of Parylene for Implants

Implantable electronic devices require a high level of protection to ensure their longevity and functionality within the human body. This is where parylene conformal coating comes in. It is a thin, transparent film that is applied to the surface of the electronic device, creating a barrier that protects it from environmental threats such as water, dust, and other bodily fluids.

Moreover, parylene is a non-toxic material that is biocompatible, which means it can be safely used in medical implants without causing harm to the patient's health. This is essential for implantables such as pacemakers, cochlear implants, and other medical devices that require long-term use inside the body.

Parylene's unique properties make it the ideal coating material for implantables. Its uniform coating ensures that no part of the device is left exposed, protecting it from damage and corrosion. Additionally, its ability to withstand extreme conditions without deteriorating makes it an excellent choice for implantables that are exposed to harsh environments such as the human body.

Types of implants that use parylene are:

  • Cochlear implants that require a microphone and improve patient hearing
  • Stents that promote blood transmission
  • Mechanical constructions that replace hip joints
  • Radioactive implants used in chemotherapy
  • Sensors for physiological activities

As you can see, these medical implants affect many people and can improve lives daily.

Parylene has all the characteristics that make it a perfect tool for the medical industry. Precision, reliability, strength--this conformal coating has it all. Here's a closer look at how parylene works to protect one of the most complex and crucial tools in the medical world: implantable medical devices.

Why Parylene is the Right Fit

Countless industries rely on parylene for its long list of high-quality characteristics, but the medical industry requires a unique level of perfection. Parylene conformal coating can provide all the characteristics needed to protect devices that will be implanted in the body to save lives. When it comes to medical science, parylene is especially valued for certain features:

  • biocompatibility for safety
  • precise, pinhole-free coating
  • protection against the extreme conditions in the human body
  • longevity

Some of parylene's reliability is thanks to the chemical vapor deposition process by which it is placed on the devices. This makes the coating thin but strong, able to coat even awkward shapes and crevices. Our parylene experts know that thanks to these characteristics, parylene is saving lives.

How Parylene Protects

Sensor implants. Sensor implants work to give data on patient health and medical device success, which means that they need to be placed in various places throughout the body. This is an excellent example of parylene's hard work in the medical industry because this unique coating is able to protect the sensor without interrupting the delicate function, all while being biocompatible and reliable.

Cardiac Assist Devices. There are various types of Cardiac Assist Devices, but they all need to be able to work properly without being corroded by bodily fluids. That's where parylene comes in. This conformal coating provides reliable coverage that seals the device and ensures that both the device itself and the patient are safe (since electrical charges can sometimes come from a Cardiac Assist Device.

Cochlear ear implants. These unique devices help the hearing process--but they also need to be small and powerful. Parylene coatings can be placed thin enough that they don't interrupt the line of delicate sensors on this device, but the protection is strong enough that the conditions inside the ear never interrupt function.

If you want to learn more about how we can help with your parylene needs and would like a quote, click here!

Topics: Parylene