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Thin film metrology: thin film metrology is suitable for characterising and performing quality control of a variety of coatings and films used in medical applications. The capabilities of today's systems are described.

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Thin films in medical technology

Layers of material deposited as a coating onto a surface are used to enhance the physical and optical properties of otherwise inappropriate materials in terms of passivation, hygiene, insulation or hardness. In health-related industries, both optical and non-optical coatings are being applied in a range of applications. These include passivation coatings on dental and orthopaedic prostheses, drug or passivation coatings on implants, and coatings as enhancement treatments on fabrics and as moisture or hygiene barriers on the inside of packaging. In medical devices such as catheters, guide wires and stents, the use of non-optical coatings can preclude issues with trauma or irritation without altering the device's bulk material properties. In addition, thin films, or more exactly thin foils, are used to form catheter balloons that are employed to expand stents against blood vessel walls; the proper mechanical integrity of these balloons is...