A hydrophobic drag-reducing coating for a silicone rubber intestinal obstruction catheter

The insertion of a silicone intestinal obstruction catheter is a common and effective approach for managing an acute surgical abdomen. However, patients often experience significant nasopharyngeal discomfort and pain during both catheter placement and prolonged indwelling. To reduce insertion difficulty, patient discomfort and the risk of microbial infection, we developed a straightforward fabrication method to produce an epoxy‑polydimethylsiloxane (EP/PDMS)–nSiO2 coating. Experimental results demonstrate that the unique microstructure of the coating confers excellent hydrophobic and lubricating properties. Notably, the coating retained its hydrophobicity and lubricity even after 60 days of immersion in acidic and alkaline solutions. Furthermore, the coating exhibited antibacterial adhesion properties and cytotoxicity assessments confirmed that it caused no significant damage or toxicity to L929 cells.