Durable low-friction plasma-polymerized coating for suture needles ensuring safety
In wound suturing, the needle and thread are crucial. The ideal surgical needle must be rigid yet flexible, corrosion-resistant, sterile and effectively lubricated to penetrate tissue effortlessly and minimize damage. However, achieving optimal lubrication with current methods, involving cumbersome...
| Autores: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Tipo de recurso: | artículo |
| Estado: | Versión publicada |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2026 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | Universidad Pública de Navarra |
| Repositorio: | Academica-e. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad Pública de Navarra |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:dnet:academicae__::bbcf6593994693b12594cef1baf97b75 |
| Acceso en línea: | https://hdl.handle.net/2454/56772 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | Atmospheric-pressure cold plasma Plasma-polymerization Low-friction Volatile and semi-volatile Curved suture needles Amino-silane coatings |
| Sumario: | In wound suturing, the needle and thread are crucial. The ideal surgical needle must be rigid yet flexible, corrosion-resistant, sterile and effectively lubricated to penetrate tissue effortlessly and minimize damage. However, achieving optimal lubrication with current methods, involving cumbersome silicone application and high-temperature curing (2–6 h at 150–250 ◦C), remains challenging due to the lengthy process. This study explored the use of an atmospheric-pressure plasma jet (APPJ) to rapidly apply a stable, low-friction, one-step coating on curved suture needles. Plasma-polymerized coatings based on N1 -(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)diethylenetriamine (TRIAP) were applied. The influence of plasma exposure time was analyzed. After 5 min of plasma treatment, coated needles showed up to a 35 % reduction in penetration forces compared to control needles (silicone-coated). Longer plasma exposure times enhanced the coating’s low-friction and adhesion properties by promoting the formation of SiO4 and NH2 bonds, respectively. A minimum treatment time ensured an even coating across the needle surface. Notably, the plasma-polymerized coatings did not introduce any new volatile or semi-volatile compounds, maintaining the needle’s chemical profile. This study demonstrates a faster, more efficient one-step coating process that is scalable to industry, offering consistent performance while significantly reducing suturing forces compared to the conventional silicone coating. |
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