Sponsored by: Medtronic
Project Summary
Medtronic is interested in suitable materials and methods for coating implantable devices. Such innovations could provide lifesaving options to patients who experience negative reactions to the materials commonly employed in implantable medical devices: titanium, polyurethane, and silicone. This project identified promising materials and tested them for suitability as part of an implanted system.
Design Goal
The goal of this project is to research and prove with comparison testing that the materials we have researched are viable solutions that can later be used in practical applications. This project is designed to be a proof of concept for our proposed material solutions. The coatings should be biocompatible and should be able to be used with Medtronic’s current devices without impacting device function.
Design Constraints
- Materials and methods must be biocompatible.
- All materials should be able to adhere to titanium, polyurethane, or silicone.
- Adhesion processes must not go over the thermal limit of 70°C to protect the battery.
- Samples must be able to undergo sterilization process used by Medtronic.
Image 1 - Medical device being coated inside a sputtering machine. The purple color is the visible emission from plasma inside the chamber.
Image 2 - Test samples being cleaned and prepared for sputtering.
Members of the Project Team
Student Team:
- Daniel Fagan- Major: Mechanical Engineering
- August Johnson - Major: Mechanical Engineering
- Christopher Nygard - Major: Mechanical Engineering
- Benjamin Phelps - Major: Mechanical Engineering
Industry Representatives: Rachel Brucker and Matthew Deutsch
Faculty Advisor: Farida Kasumzade
Pictured left to right: Benjamin Phelps, Christopher Nygard, Daniel Fagan, August Johnson