Official Release of Achievements

We officially launch the bulk‑modified ultra‑slippery surface technology for Chiba needles. Breaking the limitation of easy wear‑off of conventional coatings, this technology embeds low‑surface‑energy substances into the needle surface via atomic‑level bonding using plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition (PIIID), forming a diamond‑like carbon‑based ultra‑slippery layer integrated seamlessly with the substrate.This surface reduces the dynamic friction coefficient during puncture by over 70 %, while featuring permanent hydrophilicity, outstanding anti‑protein‑adhesion and antithrombotic properties. It marks a leap from physical smoothness to biological inertness, setting a new standard for repeated puncture and long‑term indwelling applications.

R&D Background and Key Pain Points

Friction between Chiba needles and tissues during puncture is one of the core causes of pain, tissue injury, needle‑tract bleeding and even needle tip blockage. Even after polishing, conventional stainless‑steel surfaces possess inherently high surface energy, leading to rapid adhesion of tissue proteins and biofilm formation, which increases subsequent puncture resistance. When used for vascular puncture or indwelling, bare metal surfaces serve as hotbeds for thrombosis.Common polymer coatings such as PTFE applied by spraying or dip‑coating suffer from weak bonding force and tend to peel off when passing through tough tissues or after repeated use, with peeling fragments posing risks of foreign‑body reaction in vivo. The market urgently demands a surface solution that is both permanently slippery and absolutely durable.

Core Technological Innovations

Our core technology creates a composite surface via bulk modification:

• Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation and Deposition (PIIID)Chiba needles are placed in high‑flux plasma within a vacuum chamber. High‑energy ion bombardment (ion implantation) first drives elements such as carbon and silicon tens of nanometers beneath the stainless‑steel surface to form a reinforced transition layer. Subsequently, silicon‑ and oxygen‑containing precursor gases are introduced into the plasma environment for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on the needle surface, growing an amorphous network‑structured layer rich in Si‑O‑C bonds. This layer bonds to the substrate through atomic diffusion and chemical bonding rather than physical attachment, delivering extremely high bonding strength.
• Endowment of Ultra‑Slippery and Hydrophilic PropertiesBy precisely controlling deposition parameters, the outermost chemical structure is enriched with hydrophilic groups such as hydroxyl groups. Upon contact with blood or tissue fluid, the surface instantly attracts water molecules to form a robust hydrated molecular layer. This liquid water film acts as the ultimate lubricant between the needle and tissues, achieving the water‑lubrication effect. Meanwhile, surface chemical inertness prevents firm adhesion of protein molecules via hydrophobic or electrostatic interactions, fundamentally inhibiting biofilm formation.
• Comprehensive Performance EnhancementThe modified layer features diamond‑like properties with ultra‑high microhardness and over five times the wear resistance of conventional stainless steel, easily tolerating accidental scraping against bone. It also exhibits excellent chemical stability, resisting all common disinfectants and sterilization methods without performance degradation.

Mechanisms of Action

Its core mechanism lies in constructing a perfect interface with low surface energy, high hardness and chemical inertness. The reinforced transition layer formed by ion implantation delivers reinforced‑concrete‑style bonding between the modified layer and metal substrate, eliminating peeling risks. Hydrophilic surface chemical characteristics rapidly lock water molecules via hydrogen bonds to form a stable hydrated layer. During puncture, the needle slides against this water film rather than dry tissues, drastically reducing friction.This water film also physically isolates platelets and coagulation factors in blood from metal surfaces, greatly delaying initiation of the coagulation cascade. Surface chemical inertness and smooth morphology hinder irreversible conformational changes and adhesion of protein molecules (e.g., fibrinogen, albumin), inhibiting formation of thrombotic cores and biofilms at the molecular level.

Efficacy Verification

Friction coefficient tests show the dynamic friction coefficient of treated Chiba needles in tissue‑simulating media is below 0.1, far lower than 0.35 for untreated needles. In standardized in‑vitro thrombosis tests, thrombus adhesion weight on modified surfaces decreases by over 90 %. Protein adhesion tests using fluorescent‑labeled fibrinogen reveal adhesion amounts only 5 % of control groups. In animal vascular indwelling models, onset of acute thrombosis induced by modified needles is significantly delayed.Clinical feedback is particularly intuitive: radiologists report that ultra‑slippery Chiba needles deliver exceptionally smooth manipulation in procedures such as percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage, with nearly imperceptible penetration through liver capsules and parenchyma, less damage to intrahepatic microvascular structures, and a marked reduction in postoperative needle‑tract bleeding complications.

R&D Strategy and Philosophy

We uphold the core philosophy: Surface equals function. For interventional devices, the surface is the sole interface interacting with living systems, whose properties determine the ultimate biosafety of instruments.Our R&D strategy moves beyond simple mechanical polishing to delve into plasma physics and surface chemistry, proactively designing and constructing targeted interfacial properties. We pursue modification rather than mere coating, endowing brand‑new biological properties starting from the outermost tens of nanometers of materials.

Future Outlook

In the future, we will develop smart‑responsive and therapeutic surfaces. Research directions include pH‑ or enzyme‑responsive surfaces that release embedded antibiotics under acidic conditions or specific enzymes at infected lesions; heparin‑ or nitric‑oxide‑donor‑loaded surfaces enabling controlled sustained drug release for long‑term indwelling catheters to fundamentally prevent infection and thrombosis; and antifouling surfaces with active bacteria‑repellent functions.Our goal is to transform the surfaces of Chiba needles and derived interventional devices from passive physical barriers into smart biological interfaces that respond to physiological changes, actively participate in treatment and maintain bodily homeostasis