Don't Forget Your BioCoat

When testing catheters, stents, and suture materials, simulating the environment in which they will be used provides for more true-to-form testing. For this reason, many medical devices and biomaterials are tested in a bath of water or saline heated to 37 °C, or body temperature, to accurately replicate a biomedical environment. But when using a bath with testing, there is a risk of it spilling or leaking onto the instrument, especially if the bath is being used, filled or emptied incorrectly; and we all know, electronics and liquids should not mix. Liquids can damage the testing instrument as well as become a hazard to the operator. To alleviate this issue, Instron developed the BioCoat — a waterproof, polyurethane cover that slips over any new or existing 594x single column frame. The BioCoat serves as a flexible shield that protects the frame from liquids, while still allowing easy access to all connectors and controls.