Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods for determining the presence and distribution of a polarization active material present in a coating. In one embodiment, the coating is present on an implantable device, for example an implantable stent.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system to record the absorption of a sample, said method comprising the steps of providing first and second pulsed beam of light on said sample using one or more light beams, said first and second pulsed beam having different spatial definition; measuring the difference in intensity transmitted through and/or reflected by a sample; and generating an image by scanning the sample while making such measurements. The system and method of the invention can work down to resolution of several 100 of nm, affording thus a large improvement in comparison to synchrotron IR imaging that is the closest technique existing today. The advantage versus scanning probe approach is the absence of physical probe, thus suppressing confinement to surface information and removing uncertainty regarding the working behavior of the probe.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods for determining the presence and distribution of a polarization active material present in a coating. In one embodiment, the coating is present on an implantable device, for example an implantable stent.

Abstract: A mixture of powders for preparing a sintered nickel-titanium-rare earth (Ni—Ti—RE) alloy includes Ni—Ti alloy powders comprising from about 55 wt. % Ni to about 61 wt. % Ni and from about 39 wt. % Ti to about 45 wt. % Ti, and RE alloy powders comprising a RE element.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system to record the absorption of a sample, said method comprising the steps of providing first and second pulsed beam of light on said sample using one or more light beams, said first and second pulsed beam having different spatial definition; measuring the difference in intensity transmitted through and/or reflected by a sample; and generating an image by scanning the sample while making such measurements. The system and method of the invention can work down to resolution of several 100 of nm, affording thus a large improvement in comparison to synchrotron IR imaging that is the closest technique existing today. The advantage versus scanning probe approach is the absence of physical probe, thus suppressing confinement to surface information and removing uncertainty regarding the working behaviour of the probe.

Abstract: A nickel-titanium-rare earth (Ni—Ti-RE) alloy comprises nickel at a concentration of from about 35 at. % to about 65 at. %, a rare earth element at a concentration of from about 1.5 at. % to about 15 at. %, boron at a concentration of up to about 0.1 at. %, with the balance of the alloy being titanium. In addition to enhanced radiopacity compared to binary Ni—Ti alloys and improved workability, the Ni—Ti-RE alloy preferably exhibits superelastic behavior. A method of processing a Ni—Ti-RE alloy includes providing a nickel-titanium-rare earth alloy comprising nickel at a concentration of from about 35 at. % to about 65 at. %, a rare earth element at a concentration of from about 1.5 at. % to about 15 at. %, the balance being titanium; heating the alloy in a homogenization temperature range below a critical temperature; and forming spheroids of a rare earth-rich second phase in the alloy while in the homogenization temperature range.