Medical Coating Technologies
Proprietary metal coating innovations engineered for catheter-based, implantable, and minimally invasive medical devices, from early feasibility through full production.
Proprietary Medical Coating Technologies
ProPlate® has developed a portfolio of proprietary metal coating technologies specifically for medical device applications where standard electroplating processes cannot meet the design, performance, or regulatory requirements of the application. Each technology was developed in-house by ProPlate’s engineering team, refined through extensive development and validation work with medical device OEMs, and is actively manufactured at ProPlate’s ISO 13485:2016 certified facilities in Anoka, Minnesota.
The three named proprietary technologies below address specific engineering challenges in catheter-based and implantable device design. Supporting resources including additional case studies, white papers, and application-specific engineering solutions are available through the Catheter Performance Innovations and Medical Coating Solutions pages.
Vizi-Band® Radiopaque Marker Coating
Vizi-Band® is ProPlate’s proprietary selective gold and platinum plating process that deposits radiopaque markers directly onto catheter-based components. Unlike traditional marker bands that are mechanically crimped or swaged onto the component one at a time, Vizi-Band® markers are atomically bonded to the substrate through a batch plating process, eliminating dislodgement risk and significantly reducing production time and labor at scale.
Key benefits:
- Atomically bonded, eliminating dislodgement risk
- Batch process for high-volume efficiency
- Custom marker shape, placement, and thickness
- Lower device profile than machined band alternatives
- Enhances visibility, orientation, conductivity, and corrosion resistance
- U.S. Trademark Registration No. 5,139,978
Meta-Poly® Polymer Metallization
Meta-Poly® is ProPlate’s proprietary process for depositing metal directly onto medical-grade polymer substrates without chemical etching or conductive paints. The process creates an atomically bonded metal layer on the polymer surface, maintaining flexibility and integrity while enabling electrical conductivity and functional surface properties. Compatible substrates include Pebax, PEEK, polyamide, urethane, nylon, PET, and other medical-compliant polymers.
Key benefits:
- No toxic chromic acid etching required
- Atomically bonded, biocompatible metal layer
- Selectively applied to precise locations
- Compatible with gold, silver, and copper deposition
- Maintains polymer flexibility and integrity
- Enables electrode and conductive path integration on polymer components
Torq-Lok® Braided Catheter Coating
Torq-Lok® is ProPlate’s patented metal plating process that locks braid wire intersections together through electroplating, increasing torque transmission, pushability, and radial force strength while minimizing elongation and kinking. By bonding the wires only at their crossing points, Torq-Lok® eliminates the sliding and rotation that causes torque loss in standard braids without requiring a change to the catheter’s underlying architecture.
Key benefits:
- 30-66% increase in torque response
- 66% increase in torque-to-failure
- 90° increase in twist before kinking
- Eliminates cut-end unraveling
- Improves pushability and radial force control
- Compatible with stainless steel, tungsten, molybdenum, and titanium wire
- U.S. Patent 9,962,522 B2 / U.S. Trademark Registration No. 5,139,978
Engineering Solutions and Resources
ProPlate’s proprietary technologies are supported by a broader range of engineered coating solutions and application-specific case studies developed with medical device OEMs across catheter-based and implantable device programs.
Catheter Performance Innovations
A comprehensive resource covering how ProPlate’s coating solutions improve performance across catheter-based devices. Includes white papers and case studies on Vizi-Band® marker bands, Meta-Poly® polymer metallization, Torq-Lok® braid plating, gold and platinum plated marker bands as a Pt-Ir alternative, catheter ring electrodes, and gold plated pull ring assemblies.
Medical Coating Solutions
Case studies covering ProPlate’s engineered coating solutions for implantable and minimally invasive medical device applications including NdFeB magnet coatings, Nitinol joining to dissimilar materials, silver plated bipolar forceps, palladium-nickel alloy plating, and selective gold plating for medical device battery casings.
Have questions about which ProPlate technology is right for your application?
Why ProPlate for Medical Coating Technologies
Developed and Manufactured In-House
Every ProPlate technology was developed by ProPlate’s engineering team and is manufactured at ProPlate’s facilities in Anoka, Minnesota. There is no outsourcing, no handoffs, and no reliance on third-party processes for the core technology.
ISO 13485:2016 Certified
Both ProPlate facilities are ISO 13485:2016 certified with IQ, OQ, and PQ protocol execution, in-house chemistry lab capabilities, and full traceability and documentation throughout every program.
Concept Through Production
ProPlate’s New Product Process Development team engages with medical device OEMs from early feasibility through process validation and full production scaling. Each new application requires its own development and validation work, and ProPlate supports that process from start to finish.
Medical Device Prototype Products
ProPlate offers ready-to-order prototype products for engineers evaluating ProPlate’s coating technologies in early-stage development and design validation. All products are manufactured at ProPlate’s ISO 13485:2016 certified facilities using the same processes and bath chemistries as production programs.
Vizi-Band® Sample Kit
Five stainless steel hypotubes with selective Au Vizi-Band® at five distinct thicknesses for early feasibility testing on radiopaque marker applications.
Marker Bands & Electrodes
Au and Pt plated stainless steel marker bands and ring electrodes in various sizes.
Pull Ring Assemblies
Au and Pt plated stainless steel pull ring assemblies in various sizes.
Looking for a custom prototype configuration? Our experts can help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Coating Technologies
What proprietary medical coating technologies does ProPlate offer?
ProPlate offers three proprietary medical coating technologies: Vizi-Band®, a selective radiopaque marker coating process for catheter-based components; Meta-Poly®, a metal deposition process for medical-grade polymer substrates; and Torq-Lok®, a patented braid plating process that locks wire intersections to increase torque transmission in braided catheters. Each technology was developed in-house and is actively manufactured at ProPlate’s ISO 13485:2016 certified facilities in Anoka, Minnesota.
What is the difference between Vizi-Band®, Meta-Poly®, and Torq-Lok®?
Vizi-Band® deposits radiopaque gold or platinum markers directly onto catheter-based components for device visibility and orientation under fluoroscopy. Meta-Poly® deposits metal onto medical-grade polymer substrates to enable electrical conductivity and functional surface properties on flexible polymer components. Torq-Lok® plates metal at the wire intersection points of braided catheters to lock the braid structure and increase torque transmission, pushability, and radial force performance.
Are ProPlate's technologies patented or trademarked?
Yes. Torq-Lok® is protected under U.S. Patent 9,962,522 B2 and U.S. Trademark Registration No. 5,139,978. Vizi-Band® is a registered trademark of Professional Plating, Inc. Meta-Poly® is a registered trademark of Professional Plating, Inc. ProPlate has invested in intellectual property protection across its proprietary technology portfolio.
Does ProPlate support new product development using these technologies?
Yes. ProPlate’s New Product Process Development team works with medical device OEMs from initial feasibility through process validation and full production scaling. Each new application requires its own development and validation work to account for the specific combination of substrate, geometry, plating parameters, and regulatory requirements involved. ProPlate engages early in the design process to evaluate feasibility and develop the appropriate process before production commitments are made.
Are ProPlate's medical coating technologies available for prototype evaluation?
Yes. ProPlate offers ready-to-order prototype products including the Vizi-Band® sample kit, gold and platinum plated marker bands and electrodes, pull ring assemblies, gold plated NdFeB magnets, and Meta-Poly® metallized polymer balloon sample kits. These are available through the ProPlate shop for engineers in early-stage feasibility evaluation.
What quality certifications does ProPlate hold for these technologies?
ProPlate is ISO 13485:2016 certified across both facilities in Anoka, Minnesota, with IQ, OQ, and PQ protocol execution, in-house chemistry lab capabilities, and full traceability and documentation throughout every program. ProPlate is also RoHS and REACH compliant.