When designing complex delivery systems or interventional catheters, reducing the coefficient of friction (CoF) is critical for navigating tortuous anatomy. Historically, engineers had to rely on secondary hydrophilic or silicone coatings—adding cost, processing time, and the risk of delamination or particulates.
GlideX™ is our proprietary material technology engineered to solve this exact challenge. By embedding low-friction properties directly into the polymer matrix during extrusion, GlideX™ delivers exceptional trackability and tactile response without the need for post-processing or secondary coatings.
Key Performance Benefits for R&D Engineers
- Inherent Lubricity: Dramatically reduces the baseline coefficient of friction of standard base polymers (such as Pebax®, Nylons, or Polyurethanes) without sacrificing structural integrity.
- Zero Coating Risk: Because the technology is integrated throughout the extrusion, there is zero risk of coating flaking, delamination, or particulate generation during navigation.
- Streamlined DFM (Design for Manufacturability): Eliminating the secondary coating step reduces your bill of materials (BOM), shortens production lead times, and simplifies your regulatory assembly documentation.
- Biocompatibility & Stability: Formulated specifically for medical device applications, maintaining robust performance through standard sterilization cycles (EtO, E-beam, and Gamma).
Material Comparison: GlideX™ vs. Standard Polymers
To help your team evaluate GlideX™ for your next iteration, here is how the material performs against traditional unmodified catheter jacket materials:
| Performance Metric | Standard Pebax® / Nylon | GlideX™ Enhanced Polymer |
| Coefficient of Friction (CoF) | Baseline | Up to 40% Reduction |
| Tactile Feed/Trackability | Standard | Enhanced (Consistent navigation) |
| Secondary Coating Required? | Yes (For high-lubricity tracks) | No |
| Risk of Particulate Generation | Moderate (From coating wear) | Zero |
| Processing & Assembly | Standard | Standard (Binds seamlessly) |
Target Applications and Device Integration
GlideX™ can be formulated across a wide range of durometers (from flexible profiles to rigid shafts) and is ideally suited for:
- Neurovascular Delivery Catheters: Where micro-navigation through tortuous brain anatomy requires minimal friction.
- Cardiovascular Guide Sheaths: Improving the smooth passage of secondary therapeutic devices through the inner lumen.
- Endoscopic and Urology Tools: Ensuring reliable, repeatable deployment over multiple uses.
- Outer Jackets for Braided Shafts: Providing an inherently slick outer surface while maintaining a strong thermal bond to underlying encapsulation layers.
Transitioning from Prototype to Production
Evaluating a proprietary material shouldn’t slow down your development cycle. Our engineering team can quickly extrude GlideX™ test samples matching your exact dimensional constraints, allowing you to run track-and-force testing against your current baseline.
Ready to Test GlideX™ in Your Design?
Don’t let secondary coating bottlenecks delay your project timeline or introduce regulatory risk. Contact our engineering team today to request material data sheets, discuss your durometer requirements, or request custom extruded sample lines.