Polymer coating allows human tissue to communicate with medical devices

Biotectix, a developer of conductive coatings for medical devices designed to allow communication between devices and physiologic systems, has launched a new durable, electro-conductive polymer coating.

The new coating, called Amplicoat, incorporates 'Photolink', a proprietary surface modification technology developed by Eden Prairie MN-based SurModics. Designed to enhance communication at the interface between human tissue and a medical device’s electrode, Amplicoat is said to overcome the limitations of other conductive coatings including poor durability and difficult processing requirements.

The new coating can be applied to a variety of metal electrodes for numerous medical-device applications including neurostimulation cardiac pacing, electrophysiology recordings, cochlear implants and gastrointestinal recording and stimulation.

“Amplicoat is a true breakthrough technology that provides a durable electrode coating that conducts both ionically and electronically, resulting in lower impedance and an expanded range for safe charge delivery“ said Dr. Sarah Richardson-Burns who co-founded Biotectix with Jeff Hendricks PhD.

Amplicoat enables device electrode miniaturisation, offering higher numbers of electrodes for a given-sized lead or device and providing greater tissue-sensing resolution as well as more localised stimulation control. The coating enables higher signal fidelity, lower power requirements and reduced stimulation thresholds.

“I am very proud of the Biotectix team. The dedication and knowledge needed to commercialise this technology was significant” said Omar Amirana MD Biotectix Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President of Allied Minds the parent company of Biotectix.

Biotectix says it is currently working with customers to incorporate Amplicoat into their medical devices. In addition there are non-medical applications for conductive coatings which are currently under development at Biotectix.