Coating modification techniques for medical catheters: From methods to applications

Medical catheters constitute indispensable components of contemporary healthcare, yet they are confronted with persistent limitations in biocompatibility and functionality, such as thrombosis, infection, and tissue injury, which adversely affect patient safety and therapeutic outcomes. Surface coating technology has consequently arisen as a critical approach to reengineer the catheter-biological interface, thereby augmenting functional performance while preserving the intrinsic properties of the bulk materials. This review systematically outlines recent advances in coating technologies for medical catheters. It begins by analyzing mainstream coating methods, such as layer-by-layer self-assembly, surface grafting, and biomimetic adhesion, followed by the introduction of coatings with anticoagulant, antibacterial, lubricant, and multifunctional properties. The effectiveness and challenges of these coatings in clinical applications, such as cardiovascular intervention, long-term indwelling urinary catheters, and respiratory management are critically examined. Finally, the review discusses current translational bottlenecks and future trends toward intelligent, durable, and cost-effective coating solutions, providing a comprehensive reference for developing next-generation high-performance medical catheters.