Abstract: The present invention provides a bioactive coating composition, method and devices for bodily fluid-contacting surfaces. The coating comprises a complex of Formula II: wherein R1 is an C1-18alkyl or C6-32aryl group, each R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of C1-18alkyl and C6-32aryl, R3 is N or O, n is a number from 1 to 10, and x in a number from 1 to about 30, directly bound to a heparin-activity molecule via covalent bonding, with one or more bioactive molecules bound to the heparin-activity molecule.

Abstract: An extrusion die for extruding plastic material as a tubular film has mututally engaging first and second body members which form an annular extrusion orifice therebetween. One of the body members has main feed grooves in a surface thereof adjacent the other body member and extending in a spiral manner relative to the annular extrusion orifice, and one of the body members has supply grooves in a surface thereof adjacent the other body member for receiving plastic material from one or more extruders. Each supply groove has an end portion adjacent but spaced from an initial portion of a main feed groove, whereby plastic material from the extruder or extruders is received by the supply grooves and forced from the end portions thereof along a passage between the body members and into the initial portions of the spiral feed grooves.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a steam generation apparatus that is liquid fuel fired and addresses conversion of gaseous fuel SIB units to operate with liquid fuel. The invention also relates to a conversion unit for a steam injection boiler, a method for converting a steam injection boiler from gas firing to possible liquid fuel firing and a method for generating steam from a liquid fuel source. The invention employs a fired heater for heating the liquid fuel to a temperature suitable for firing and preheats the water to compensate for the shortfall in heat liberation when a gas boiler is converted to use liquid fuel. In another aspect of the invention, production of steam is achievable consistently by employing step-up heaters with a steam injection boiler. The heaters being connected in parallel to continue heating the water/steam to achieve a higher quality steam over that produced in the boiler while minimizing consideration as to the adverse effects of coil fouling in the boiler.

Abstract: A medical device with a hydrophilic and lubricious coating, wherein the coating includes a hydrophilic polymeric unit layer deposited on the medical device and cross-linked with a plasma deposited double bond monomer. The hydrophilic polymeric unit can include ethylene oxide with one or more primary or secondary alcohol groups or glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronic acid, and the double bond monomer includes monomers containing at least one double bond, preferably a C═C, C═N or C═O bond, including N-trimethylsilyl-allylamine, ethylene, propylene and allyl alcohol.

Abstract: A wound dressing, method of making, and method of use, utilizing a polymeric film having complexed thereto by hydrophobic interaction a construct including a polyanion covalently bonded to a hydrophobic prosthetic moiety, with one or more bioactive molecules directly complexed to the polyanion. The polyanion may be heparin or a heparin-activity molecule. The prosthetic group may include a hydrophobic silyl-containing moiety. Bioactive molecules include adhesive molecules, growth factor molecules, and therapeutic molecules, including antibiotics.

Abstract: A method for making a hydrophilic and lubricious coating, the coating so made and a medical device including such coating, wherein the coating includes a hydrophilic polymeric unit layer cross-linked with a plasma deposited double bond monomer. The hydrophilic polymeric unit can include ethylene oxide with one or more primary or secondary alcohol groups or glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronic acid, and the double bond monomer includes monomers containing at least one double bond, preferably a C═C, C═N or C═O bond, including N-trimethylsilyl-allylamine, ethylene, propylene and allyl alcohol. The invention also provides products containing such coatings and their uses in medical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications.

Abstract: Coatings, devices and methods are provided, wherein the contacting surface of a medical device with at least one contacting surface for contacting a bodily fluid or tissue is modified by plasma treatment in a plasma including nitrogen-containing molecules and oxygen-containing molecules and by application of a biologically compatible coating, preferably by plasma treatment in a plasma including polymerized hydrocyclosiloxane monomers. The nitrogen-containing molecules include NH3, (NH4)+, N2O, NO, NO2 and N2O4, and the oxygen-containing molecules include O2 and O3. The plasma-modified contacting surface exhibits decreased adhesion of at least some mammalian cells, such as platelets and leukocytes, decreased restenosis when used with stents, and increased apoptosis. Additional layers may be applied, including amine-providing groups such as N-trimethylsilyl-allylamine, polyoxyalkylene tethers, and bioactive compounds.

Abstract: A Web server is provided having a multi-homed, modular framework. The modular framework allows extensions to the Web server to be easily compiled into the Web server, allowing the extensions to run natively as part of the server instead of incurring the overhead typical of CGI scripts, for example. The multi-homing capabilities of the Web server provide the appearance to Web users of multiple distinct and independent servers, allowing a small company or individual to create the same kind of Web presence enjoyed by larger companies. In effect, multiple virtual servers run on the same physical machine. The Web server as a whole is easily extensible to allow additional capabilities to be provided natively within the Web server itself. Furthermore, each virtual server is independently configurable in order to turn different capabilities on or off or to modify operation of the virtual server.

Abstract: Coatings, devices and methods are provided, wherein the contacting surface of a medical device with at least one contacting surface for contacting a bodily fluid or tissue is modified by plasma treatment in a plasma comprising nitrogen-containing molecules and oxygen-containing molecules. The nitrogen-containing molecules include NH3, (NH4)+, N2O, NO, NO2 and N2O4, and the oxygen-containing molecules include O2 and O3. The plasma-modified contacting surface exhibits decreased adhesion of at least some mammalian cells, such as platelets and leukocytes, decreased restenosis when used with stents, and increased apoptosis. Additional layers may be applied, including plasma polymerized hydrocyclosiloxane monomers, amine-providing groups such as N-trimethylsilyl-allylamine, polyoxyalkylene tethers, and bioactive compounds.

Abstract: A nucleic acid coating composition including a polyanion bound, directly or through one or more intermediates, to a medical device surface, with a condensate comprising a polycation and nucleic acid bound to the polyanion, devices incorporating such coating compositions, and methods for making. In one embodiment, a silyl-heparin complex is provided, bound to a medical device surface by hydrophobic interaction with the silyl moiety, with a polycation and nucleic acid condensate bound to the heparin by electrostatic interaction.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing fines from the bottom of a tank includes an extraction device having an internal chamber along with a vacuum arrangement which, when activated, lowers the pressure within the chamber. An inlet structure adjacent the bottom of the extraction device is adapted to be juxtaposed against fines accumulated on the bottom of the tank, the inlet device acting, when the vacuum is activated, to move fines toward the internal chamber by superimposing on the moving fines an inwardly convergent motion. A cable is provided for lowering the extraction device toward the bottom of the tank. The apparatus includes a distributor above the extraction device. The distributor defines a quiet zone above the device for separation of fines from the fluid.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable brachytherapy device includes a tubular housing with sealed ends and an enclosed radioactive material. The radioactive material includes a radioisotope, such as palladium-103 or iodine-125. The tubular housing is made from a biocompatible and bioabsorbable polymeric material, and is sealed by means such as heat welding or solvent fixing. The device may further include a radiopaque medium and one or more therapeutic drugs.

Abstract: A process for separating oily films from sand particles carried in a solvent free water stream includes the use of a jet pump scrubber in a density classification tank to treat such oily coated particles at controlled operating temperatures above 65° C. whereby, at such controlled temperature, enhanced cavitation in the jet pump separates the oily film from the sand particles to form slop oil, the tank providing for recirculation of the particles through the jet pump before discharge.

Abstract: Stretch plastic film is formed by extruding suitable plastic material from an annular die as a tubular film, forming the extruded film into a bubble with air entrapped therein by collapsing the tubular film at a predetermined distance from the annular die, causing the temperature of the tubular film when collapsed to be sufficiently high to cause opposite sides of the collapsed film to become bonded together to form a blocked two layer film, and stretching the blocked two layer film to reduce its thickness.

Abstract: A method of extruding plastic material in multi-layer form includes: providing an extrusion die having a first body member and a second body member surrounding the first body member and forming an annular passage therebetween which communicates with an annular extrusion orifice, the body members having a series of helical grooves extending around the die and each commencing at a separate location, the separate locations being spaced around a lower portion of the first body member. A single encapsulating unit provides a flow of encapsulated plastic material comprising a first plastic material surrounded by a second plastic material at an outlet thereof. The first body member having a series of cross-holes extending from the encapsulating unit output and each communicating with a respective separate location.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-thrombogenic and cellular-adhesion coating composition for blood-contacting surfaces. The coating comprises a covalent complex of from 1 to 30 hydrophobic silyl moieties of Formula I: wherein R1 is an C1-18 alkyl or C6-32 aryl group, each R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of C1-18 alkyl and C6-32 aryl, R3 is N or O, n is a number from 1 to 10, directly bound to a heparin molecule via covalent bonding, with an adhesive molecule directly bound to the heparin molecule. In one embodiment, the coating comprises benzyl-(1,2 dimethyl)disilyl heparin, wherein an adhesive molecule, such as fibronectin, is bound to the heparin.

Abstract: A multilayer plastic film has a series of component layers and bonding layers bonding said component layers together, the component layers including an inner hydrolysed ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVOH) layer, an adjacent polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) layer, and outer layers comprising a polyolefin homopolymer, copolymer or ionomer.

Abstract: An extruder assembly has a gear box drivable by a motor, an output shaft having a main portion extending through the gear box and rotatable by operation of the motor and gear box, and an extruder housing located forwardly of the gear box. The output shaft has a further portion extending forwardly from the main portion and passing into the extruder housing and having a screw configuration therein for feeding plastic material through the housing when the output shaft is rotated. The main portion of the output shaft is axially slidable in the gear box, and the forwardly extending portion has a diameter not greater than the diameter of the main portion whereby the output shaft can be withdrawn from the housing and the gear box by rearward movement therethrough. A retainer is operable to retain the output shaft in an operative position for rotation to feed plastic material through the housing and also to permit the output shaft to be withdrawn by rearward movement when desired.

Abstract: Stretch plastic film is formed by extruding suitable plastic material from an annular die as a tubular film, forming extruded film into a bubble with air entrapped therein by collapsing the tubular film at a predetermined distance from the annular die, and causing the temperature of the tubular film when collapsed to be sufficiently high to cause opposite sides of the collapsed film to become bonded together to form a single layer of film.

Abstract: A multilayer plastic film has at least two inner polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) layers, outer layers comprising a polyolefin homopolymer, copolymer or ionomer, and bonding layers between the PVDC layers and between the PVDC layers and the outer layers.