Abstract: A film in a dry state is efficiently dissolved and removed. A film removing method includes steps of moving a nozzle head (10B) close to a soluble film (201) formed on a substrate (200), forming a liquid pool (302) of chemical liquid (300) between the nozzle head (10B) and the film (201) by continuously and simultaneously discharging and sucking the chemical liquid (300) from the nozzle head (10B), and horizontally moving the substrate (100) in a state in which the nozzle head (10B) and the surface of the film (201) are not contacted so as to relatively move the liquid pool (302) of the chemical liquid on the substrate (100).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for thermal spraying a metal coating on a substrate is accomplished with a modified pulsejet and optionally an ejector to assist in preventing oxidation. Metal such as Aluminum or Magnesium may be used. A pulsejet is first initiated by applying fuel, air, and a spark. Metal is inserted continuously in a high volume of metal into a combustion chamber of the pulsejet. The combustion is thereafter controlled resonantly at high frequency and the metal is heated to a molten state. The metal is then transported from the combustion chamber into a tailpipe of said pulsejet and is expelled therefrom at high velocity and deposited on a target substrate.

Abstract: Composite coating materials comprising a hard carbide phase and a metallic binder that are resistant to molten metals such as aluminum are disclosed. The hard carbide phase of the composite coatings may comprise tungsten carbide, and the metallic binder may comprise a nickel-based alloy. A thin oxide layer comprising oxides of the binder metal may be provided on the surface of the composite coating. The composite coatings exhibit desirable non-wetting behavior when exposed to molten metals.

Abstract: A polymeric film structure exhibiting improved barrier properties and which is formed in the absence of a primer. The film structure is produced by coating a surface of a polymeric substrate with a solution of a polyvinyl alcohol-vinyl amine copolymer, an aldehyde-containing crosslinking agent and a crosslinking promoting acid catalyst and metallized with a metal layer. The polymer substrate is made out of polyolefin materials such as polypropylene.

Abstract: Provided is a method of preparing a film including the steps of providing a polymer substrate, depositing a metal layer on the polymer substrate in a metallization chamber, removing the metallized film from the metallization chamber, and applying a topcoat to said metal layer within 1 week of depositing the metal layer on the polymer substrate. A film produced by such a method exhibits improved barrier properties, such as improved water-vapor transmission rates.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for thermal spraying a metal coating on a substrate is accomplished with a modified pulsejet and optionally an ejector to assist in preventing oxidation. Metal such as Aluminum or Magnesium may be used. A pulsejet is first initiated by applying fuel, air, and a spark. Metal is inserted continuously in a high volume of metal into a combustion chamber of the pulsejet. The combustion is thereafter controlled resonantly at high frequency and the metal is heated to a molten state. The metal is then transported from the combustion chamber into a tail pipe of said pulsejet and is expelled therefrom at high velocity and deposited on a target substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing friction surfaces or friction layers in a carbon-ceramic brake disk for motor vehicles in which the friction surfaces or friction layers in the finished state are treated by a thermal coating method. The invention likewise relates to the corresponding friction surfaces or friction layers of a carbon-ceramic brake disk for motor vehicles which are produced according to such as process.

Abstract: A coating for use in combustion systems includes a plurality of refractory metal particles in a ceramic, glass or metal matrix disposed on surfaces of the system that are prone to slag, ash, and/or char buildup during operation of the combustion system. The coating is effective to prevent any substantial interaction with the slag, ash, and/or char.

Abstract: A coherent material is formed on a substrate (10) by providing a precursor suspension (14) in which particulates are suspended in a carrier fluid, and directing the precursor suspension (14) at the substrate (10) from a first source (12). Generally contemporaneously with application of the deposited precursor suspension (14) to the surface, hot gases, e.g. hot gases produced by a flame (16), are directed at the substrate (10) from a remote second source (18) to fuse the particulates into the coherent material.

Abstract: Composite microparticles having thin coating layers can be simply prepared by bringing a host particle precursor into contact with a flame generated in a burner movably mounted at the bottom of a coating apparatus, by introducing the precursor in the form of a vapor or micronized liquid droplets upwardly into the burner, to obtain host particles; and introducing a gaseous coating precursor upwardly toward the host particles in or around the flame, the coating precursor being protected by an inert gas introduced therearound such that the formation of particles derived from the coating precursor itself is prevented.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of modifying the surface of a polymeric substrate, e.g., to improve the wettability of the polymer film surface and/or alter the metal adhesion properties of the surface of the substrate by exposing the substrate to a flame. The flame is supported by an oxidizer and fuel mixture that includes an effective amount, for modifying the polymeric substrate, of at least one sulfur-containing compound that functions as a fuel substitute. In addition, substrates are provided that have increased wettability or increased metal adhesion performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a furnace for the vapor phase deposition of components onto semiconductor substrates. The main flow direction of the process gases can be varied or reversed in the course of the method. This prevents temperature and concentration inhomogeneities of the process gas within the furnace, and the components to be uniformly deposited onto the semiconductor substrates.

Abstract: A process is provided for coating stents having a first and second surface with passages there between to avoid blockage and bridging of the passages. The process comprises contacting the stent with a liquid coating solution containing a film forming biocompatible polymer under conditions suitable to allow the film forming biocompatible polymer to coat at least one surface of the stent while maintaining a fluid flow through said passages sufficient prevent the film forming biocompatible polymer from substantially blocking said passages. Also described are stents coated by this process.

Abstract: In processing an object by irradiating it with laser light, a laser irradiation chamber is evacuated to a pressure value suitable for the intended laser light processing and the laser light processing is performed with the pressure in the chamber kept constant at the above value. Further, electrodes are provided in the laser irradiation chamber, and the inside of the chamber is cleaned by introducing an etching gas into the chamber during or immediately before the laser light irradiation and rendering the etching gas active.

Abstract: A method of modifying the surface characteristics of a substrate, particularly a polymeric material. The method involves grafting ethylenically unsaturated monomers and attaching biomolecules, such as heparin, to the surface of the substrate, such as a polymeric material, in one step using an oxidizing metal, such as ceric ions.

Abstract: A porous, tubular synthetic prosthesis, prosthesis precursor, and methods of producing the same are provided. Specifically the method involves co-spraying both a water soluble and water insoluble fibrous component onto a mold to form the prosthesis precursor. The water soluble fibrous component may then be at least partially removed so as to provide a porous, tubular synthetic prosthesis.

Abstract: Antithrombotic agents having reactional functional groups are reacted with a base polymer also having reactive functional groups to form a surface coating for a medical material. The medical materials are used in medical devices in contact with blood or blood products such as artificial hearts, heart lung machines, pacemakers, vascular graft tubing, intra-aortic balloons, blood bags, soft or hard tissue prostheses, catheters, sutures, artificial organs, and the like.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of slippery, hydrophilic polyurethane hydrogel coating compositions, and materials composed of a polymeric plastic or rubber substrate or a metal substrate with a coating of a slippery, hydrophilic polyurethane hydrogel thereon, such that the coating composition tenaciously adheres to the substrate, are disclosed. The coating compositions and coated materials are non-toxic and biocompatible, and are ideally suited for use on medical devices, particularly, catheters, catheter balloons and stents. The coating compositions, coated materials and coated devices demonstrate low coefficients of friction in contact with body fluids, especially blood, as well as a high degree of wear permanence over prolonged use of the device. The hydrogel coating compositions are capable of being dried to facilitate storage of the devices to which they have been applied, and can be instantly reactivated for later use by exposure to water.

Abstract: Methods for grafting unmodified PEO or any other water-soluble polymers to the surfaces of metals and glasses to form biocompatible surfaces having low protein affinity is provided. One technique includes the steps of: (a) providing a support member having a plurality of hydroxyl or oxide groups attached to a surface of said support member; (b) exposing said surface to a silane coupling agent to cause the silane coupling agent to form a silane layer that is covalently bound to the surface wherein the silane layer comprises a plurality of vinyl groups; and (c) exposing the silane layer to a hydrophilic polymer and causing the silane layer to react with the hydrophilic polymer to covalently bond to the silane layer. Exposure of the silane layer to .gamma.-radiation to induce grafting with low radiation to induce grafting of the hydrophilic polymer to the silane layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of blood or plasma by extracorporeal circulation includes a compartment for the circulation of blood. The compartment is provided with two accesses and has at least one inner surface intended to be coated, after sterilization, with at least one molecular layer of a substance soluble in an aqueous solution. The aqueous solution is capable of increasing the bicompatibility of the inner surface of the compartment. A determined quantity of the substance is deposited inside the blood compartment, at one of the accesses, in a form such that the substance is capable of undergoing, substantially without deterioration, an irradiation capable of sterilizing the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process of forming an antimicrobial coating on a surface of a medical implant, the coating comprising an antimicrobially effective amount of antimicrobial metal atoms incorporated into a coating of amorphous carbonaceous material.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-thrombogenic coating composition for blood-contacting surfaces. The coating comprises a covalent complex of from 1 to 30 hydrophobic silyl moieties of Formula I: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a C.sub.1-8 alkyl or C.sub.6-32 aryl group, each R.sub.2 is independently selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1-8 alkyl and C.sub.6-32 aryl, R.sub.3 is N or O, and n is a number from 1 to 10, directly bound to a heparin molecule via covalent bonding.

Abstract: A hemocompatible composition comprising a polymer containing at least one pharmacologic material chemically bonded to a polymer backbone. Such compositions may be obtained by reacting a pharmacologic material with a compound containing a polymerizable group (e.g., an acyl halide) and thereafter either copolymerizing the acylated material with one or more copolymerizable monomers or first irradiating a backbone polymer and thereafter grafting the acylated pharmacologic material onto the irradiated polymer. The resulting products are hemocompatible and may be used in the manufacture of medical devices which come in contact with blood or other bodily fluids. The advantage of chemically bonded pharmacologic materials is that they are not leached out and retain their pharmaceutical effectiveness for a long period of time. The compositions may contain one or more additional pharmacologic materials which are physically admixed with polymers containing bonded pharmacologic materials.

Abstract: A coated microporous stent and method of coating are disclosed. The inventive stent consists of a tubular member made from a flat sheet assembled together in a tube with the ends of the sheet assembled together through a technique such as surface fusing. Preferably, the stent is made up of a plurality of spaced rows of slots with spaces between adjacent slots within a row staggered with respect to corresponding spaces on adjacent rows. In a first embodiment of a coated stent, a coating is attached to the stent only at a single area of line contact on the outer surface of the stent with the remainder of the coating being larger than the unexpanded stent, but being made of dimensions designed to snugly receive the outer surfaces of the stent when it is expanded within a blood vessel.

Abstract: The thickness of a polymer coating applied to the interior surface of a stent is precisely controlled by fitting a mandrel within its interior. Fitment of an exterior mold serves to additionally control the thickness of polymer on the exterior surface of the stent. Alternatively, a preformed sheath of polymer is fitted to the interior of the stent whereby the subsequent application of polymer not only causes the exterior to become coated but also causes the sheath to become adhered to the stent.

Abstract: A conduit coating which is made by covering a surface thereof with a polymeric material which may include an additive made of bacteriostatic, bacteriocidal, fungicidal, fungistatic or mildew-suppressing material. The coating material may be cross-linked using radiation exposure to improve the high temperature characteristics of the conduit.

Abstract: A metallic stent is coated with a synthetic or biological active or inactive agent that only adheres to the metallic surface of the stent and does not cover slots formed in the stent. In the method, a metallic stent is manufactured in a known manner and is then cleaned to remove surface contaminants and carbon deposits formed from cutting operations and electro-polishing procedures. The stent is then dried in a chamber in which nitrogen gas is purged and then placed in a bath containing a suitable surfactant, such as a long chain alkyl quaternary salt, that removes any residual carbon on the surface of the stent. The stent is then placed in a container filled with the coating agent and the container is placed in an ultrasonic bath. When the bath is activated, the stent swirls in the agent, which agent coats the stent but does not cover the slots of the stent. The stent is removed from the container and dried in a controlled atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for making a medical device having at least one glycoprotein and/or glycopeptide immobilized on a substrate surface is provided. The method may include oxidizing 1,2 dihydroxy moieties with a periodate to form an aldehyde-functional material; combining the aldehyde-functional material with an amino-functional material to bond the two materials together through an imine moiety; and reacting the imine moiety with a reducing agent to form a secondary amine. Another method of the present invention may be employed to crosslink glycoproteins and/or glycopeptides immobilized on medical device surfaces. Additionally, one method of the present invention may be employed to crosslink glycoproteins and/or glycopeptides, thereby forming a crosslinked biomaterial or a crosslinked medical device coating.

Abstract: Methods for binding heparin to biological or synthetic materials which are to be implanted within a mammalian body. In instances where connective tissue proteins or other components of the material having adequate carboxyl groups present thereon, the method comprises a) contacting the material with a carboxyl-activating agent, b) contacting the material with a polyamine compound to form amide-bound polyarnine side chains at the sites of the previously activated carboxyl groups, and c) contacting the material with heparin such that heparin will become bound to the amino groups on the polyamine side chains.

Abstract: A medical device having a surface graft matrix comprising carboxyl-functional groups located on the device, the surface graft matrix comprising an outer portion; and one or more biomolecules covalently coupled to the surface graft matrix, wherein a majority of the biomolecules are located in the outer portion of the surface graft matrix. The surface graft matrix can also be loaded with a pharmaceutical agent.

Abstract: Disclosed are bio-active polymer coatings. More particularly, improved bio-active polymer coating are disclosed which include bio-active molecules attached to polyurethane backbones via amine-terminated spacers. Also disclosed are novel reaction schemes for producing same.

Abstract: A method of forming a mask including providing a fluid from a group including oxygen based, nitrogen based, or carbon based fluids, introducing a substrate of semiconductor material into the fluid, and growing a film with thickness in a range of 10-20 .ANG. on a surface by converting the fluid adjacent the surface into a reactive species. The reactive species is created by directing light having a wavelength at the absorption peak of the fluid so as to convert the fluid into the reactive species. The surface of the substrate reacts with the reactive species to form the film.

Abstract: A method of coating implantable open lattice metallic stent prosthesis is disclosed which includes sequentially applying a plurality of relatively thin outer layers of a coating composition comprising a solvent mixture of uncured polymeric silicone material and crosslinker and finely divided biologically active species, possibly of controlled average particle size, to form a coating on each stent surface. The coatings are cured in situ and the coated, cured prosthesis are sterilized in a step that includes preferred pretreatment with argon gas plasma and exposure to gamma radiation electron beam, ethylene oxide, steam.

Abstract: A method for delivering a therapeutic substance to a body lumen utilizing an intravascular stent having a coating comprising a polymer and a therapeutic substance in a solid/solid solution with the polymer. The coating comprises a first coating layer nearer the stent body having a first concentration of therapeutic substance overlaid by a second porous coating layer having a second lesser concentration of therapeutic substance. The inclusion of a porous polymer coating layer on the stent helps retain the therapeutic substance on the stent during expansion of the stent and also controls the administration of the therapeutic substance following implantation. By this method, drugs such as dexamethasone can be applied to a stent, retained on a stent during expansion of the stent and elute at a controlled rate.

Abstract: A process for impregnating a medical device made from a water absorbable polymer material, e.g., a hydrogel, with a medical compound having low solubility in aqueous solutions, e.g., an antiseptic or radiopaque compound, is disclosed. The device is first infiltrated with an aqueous solution containing a first water soluble, ionizable compound, and subsequently infiltrated with an aqueous solution containing a second water soluble, ionizable compound. The ionizable compounds are selected such that they react after mutual contact to form the medical compound in-situ within the device.

Abstract: New and improved lubrifying coatings for reducing the coefficients of friction of surfaces on medical devices include hydrophilic copolymers derived monoethylenically-unsaturated monomers including some monomers having pendant primary amine functionality and some monomers having pendant tertiary amine functionality. The lubricious hydrogel coatings are covalently bondable to epoxy functionalized surfaces on the medical equipment to provide firmly adherent hydrogel coatings that are slippery when wet. Epoxy functionalized surfaces are provided by epoxy functional or epoxy group containing silane coupling agents. The pendant tertiary amine moieties are readily convertible at alkaline pH to quaternary ammonium cations to which anionic anti-thrombogenic agents may be bonded. Three dimensional copolymer matrices may also be provided as coatings on the surfaces by crosslinking the copolymers before or after attachment to the surface being treated.

Abstract: A material consisting of a hydrophobic material having a metallic, ceramic or glass surface which has been modified by exposing the surface to a glow discharge plasma to activate the surface, followed by exposing the activated surface to one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers and irradiating the surface with gamma or electron beam radiation to induce polymerization thereon of the monomer(s) so as to form a hydrophilic polymeric coating on the surface of an article.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for coating a biomaterial to be placed in contact with a patient's blood flow to inhibit blood coagulation from adhering to the biomaterial that would otherwise result from such contact. A biodegradable material of liquid state compatible with the blood and tissue of the human body is prepared, and an anti-coagulant drug is incorporated into the liquid state of the biodegradable material to form a liquid coating material. The liquid coating material is adhesively applied to a surface of the biomaterial in a substantially continuous overlying layer having a formulation, pattern and thickness selected according to the period of time over which the coating material is to perform its anti-coagulant action. Thereafter the coating material is dried to a layer thickness less than about 100 microns for continuous disintegration thereof as a function of time when the layer is in contact with flowing blood.

Abstract: Anti-microbial coatings and method of forming same on medical devices. The coatings are formed by depositing a biocompatible metal by physical vapor deposition techniques to produce atomic disorder in the coating such that a sustained release of metal ions sufficient to produce an anti-microbial effect is achieved. Preferred deposition conditions to achieve atomic disorder include a lower than normal substrate temperature, and one or more of a higher than normal working gas pressure and a lower than normal angle of incidence of coating flux.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a sliding member, a granular spraying material is sprayed on at least a part of a surface of a body portion made of a structural material in at least partially fusing condition and in the direction which is parallel to or diagonal to a sliding surface. Then, a sprayed layer is formed by depositing the spraying material in the direction which is perpendicular to the sliding surface. The sliding surface is a section of the deposited spraying material which is obtained by grinding or cutting the sprayed layer in depositional direction.

Abstract: The biocompatibility of polymeric and metallic articles used in contact with blood can be substantially improved by coating the articles as described. The coating materials are triblock copolymers of the polylactone-polysiloxane-polylactone type. Optimum biocompatibility is provided by a coating of optimum surface concentration. Porous membranes can be coated as described, providing improved biocompatibility of blood oxygenators, hemodialyzers and the like.

Abstract: The invention is to a method for producing a high surface substrate. A mask is positioned (31) over a substrate to define a deposition area. Thereafter at least two dissimilar materials are simultaneously deposited (32) through the mask onto the deposition area. Then one of the deposited materials is selectively removed (33) to provide a high surface area deposited substrate.

Abstract: Ferrite films having excellent crystalline and magnetic properties are obtainable without high temperature (>500.degree. C.) processing if an appropriate template layer is deposited on a conventional substrate body (e.g., SrTiO.sub.3, cubic zirconia, Si), and the ferrite is deposited on the annealed template. The template is a spinel-structure metal oxide that has a lattice constant in the range 0.79-0.89 nm, preferably within about 0.015 nm of the lattice constant of the ferrite. Exemplarily, a NiFe.sub.2 O.sub.4 film was deposited at 400.degree. C. on a CoCr.sub.2 O.sub.4 template which had been deposited on (100) SrTiO.sub.3. The magnetization of the ferrite film at 4000 Oe was more than double the magnetization of a similarly deposited comparison ferrite film (NiFe.sub.2 O.sub.4 on SrTiO.sub.3), and was comparable to that of a NiFe.sub.2 O.sub.4 film on SrTiO.sub.3 that was annealed at 1000.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for coating a metal alloy component of a medical implant, particularly a component of a heart valve made of a titanium base alloy, with a strongly adhered coating of diamond-like carbon. The method uses ion beam assisted deposition to form a gradient at the surface of the titanium alloy comprising metal alloy/metal-silicide/(silicon or germanium)/silicon- or germanium-carbide/DLC.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis comprising an expanded polytetraethylene member having pores present in its wall structure wherein said pores contain a solid insoluble biocompatible, biodegradable material of natural origin. A process of preparing said prostheses is also disclosed.

Abstract: The specification describes an invention of calcification resistant bioprosthetic heart valves which can be used for a long term, and have good blood compatibility and in vivo stability, and have high calcification resistance. The bioprosthetic heart valves of the invention can be prepared by binding sulfonated polyethylene oxide (PEO) derivatives covalently to the tissue. The valves have an anionic effect equal to that of chondroitin sulfate, space filling effect, and blocking effect of the carboxyl group of collagen which has been known as one factor of the calcium deposition,. In particular, the present method has better advantages in view of calcification resistance than any other conventional methods, because it suppresses thrombosis and embolism and decreases incidence of infection.

Abstract: Methods for coating a prosthetic surface with anti-thrombogenic, or anti-coagulant, proteins are disclosed. The methods involve contacting a surface of a prosthetic material with a composition containing multimers of fibrin degradation products. These multimers, preferably D-dimers, have cross-linked D-domains. The methods of the invention are useful for providing an anti-thrombogenic coating on prosthetic implants which are exposed to a patient's blood after implantation, for example vascular grafts and artificial heart valves.

Abstract: An improved coating and spacer material for a medical device having a blood or tissue-contacting surface comprising a polyalkyleneimine layer which is crosslinked with a crosslinking agent which is at least difunctional in polymerizable vinyl groups which have adjacent strong electron-withdrawing groups and a biomolecule covalently bonded to the crosslinked polyalkyleneimine layer. For example, polyethyleneimine crosslinked with divinyl sulfone could be used. The resulting crosslinked spacer layer has improved uniformity and stability without materially limiting the covalent attachment of a biomolecule such as heparin.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming fibrin coatings on a substrate, such as device for implantation in a body. The fibrin coatings are dried to provide a fibrin coating having the ability to be stored for extended periods before use. To provide coatings having high shear force resistance, the substrate is contacted first with thrombin and second with fibrinogen.

Abstract: The present invention provides materials which comprise a surface having pendant zwitterionic groups Z comprising, as anion, a phosphate, sulphonate, carboxylate or phosphate-ester group or a phosphate ester group in which one or more of the ester oxygen atoms is replaced by --S--, --NH-- or by a valence bond and, as cation, an ammonium, phosphonium or sulphonium moiety, provided that where the anion is a phosphate-ester group or derivative thereof or sulphonate and the cation is a trialkyl quaternary ammonium group (the alkyl groups each containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms) and the group linking the anion and cation moieties is an alkylene group, the alkylene group, contains at least 5, preferably at least 6, and more preferably at least 7, carbon atoms. The materials have improved biocompatibility for instance as evidenced by reduced protein deposition and reduced platelet activation.