Microcare Medical, Dow Corning Collaborate on Silicone Lubricant

MicroCare Medical, a supplier of advanced cleaners, carrier additives, coatings and lubricants, is proud to announce the availability of the first calibrated and ready-to-use line of silicone lubricants for design engineers and manufacturers. Duraglide Siloxane Lubricants are being offered in collaboration with a leader in silicone-based technology and fluids, Dow Corning Corporation. 

“We are proud to work with Dow Corning to be responsive in providing this first-of-its-kind coating to medical device engineers and manufacturers,” says Tom Tattersall, vice president of MicroCare Medical. “Dow Corning is undoubtedly the innovator in silicone fluids and technology, and together with MicroCare Medical service expertise, we have developed a fluid and process that ultimately delivers the best performance to customers.”

“This collaboration with Dow Corning and MicroCare Medical will benefit design engineers and manufacturers who are seeking increased efficiency by providing them with a ready-to-use solution,” says James Stephenson, Dow Corning global Healthcare marketing manager. “It will also provide increased access to our products and technology.”

Duraglide Siloxane Lubricants are linear polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) based, and are individually calibrated and mixed according to a customer’s needs using Dow Corning 360 Medical Fluids and a carrier fluid that quickly deposits the lubricant prior to evaporating, leaving a thin, uniform film of PDMS. The coating can be used on a variety of medical devices, such as needles, syringes, blades or other devices that contact skin and require lubrication for better performance and patient comfort.  The fluid is compatible with materials such as glass, metals, plastic and rubber, and can be applied using dipping, wiping, brushing or sprays.

Until now, silicone lubricants have typically been available only in concentrate, and the engineer or manufacturer is required to mix and calibrate the fluid internally once the concentrate is purchased. With Durgalide Siloxane Lubricants, the engineer and manufacturer are assured that the calibration from batch to batch will be completely consistent and specific to their needs.

“Calibration of the coating is very important to the performance of devices,” says Jay Tourigny, vice president of operations for MicroCare Medical.  “We use our over 20 years of coating expertise to help customers find the calibration that will be best for that particular device, and we can also advise customers on ways to find efficiencies and improve the quality of their coatings process in-house.”

MicroCare Medical can provide Duraglide Siloxane Lubricants in any amount, from a few ounces up to 55 gallon drums. They can also provide samples to qualified users upon request, typically within 48 hours. As noted above, Duraglide Siloxane Lubricants can be used in various applications, on “sharps” and devices that come in contact with the skin such as needles or knives. In addition to excellent materials compatibility, other benefits of the fluid include easy, nonflammable handling in storage and in use, reduced migration propensities, and simple equipment requirements for both low and high volume part treatment.

Duraglide Siloxane Lubricants are available through the MicroCare Medical website at www.microcaremedical.com