The medical device industry is undergoing a significant transformation driven by evolving regulatory requirements around per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Design engineers face mounting pressure to eliminate PTFE-based coatings while maintaining the low-friction, high-release performance critical to catheter manufacturing, surgical instruments, and precision medical components. Rob Spiegel, Senior Editor of Design News recently interviewed SSG’s...
When it comes to coating silicone components in medical devices, engineers have long relied on parylene (a widely used term for poly-para-xylylene). But as device designs become more complex – and performance expectations rise – traditional solutions don’t always keep up. That’s where Surface Solutions Group’s Slick Sil® LSR stands out. Designed specifically for silicone...
CHICAGO, January 13, 2026 – Surface Solutions Group, LLC (SSG), a global company specializing in functional coating technologies for medical devices, announced its arrival in Costa Rica with the establishment of a new operation dedicated to advanced and high‑precision manufacturing processes for the international medical industry. The company develops low-friction, high‑performance coating processes applied to...
Fluoropolymers are used nearly everywhere, in almost every major manufacturing sector. Those of us who formulate and apply the coatings, and our medical device manufacturing customers, understand the unique benefits they bring to everyday life, but most others do not. They have come under fire for allegedly causing harm to people and the environment. In...
What goes into developing coatings for medical devices? What drives the process? Understanding the factors that motivate manufacturers to seek out new and better coatings – such as our new GlideMed™ PTFE-free coating – and the processes that bring them to fruition can help medical device manufacturers and design engineers appreciate the big picture. Many...
