Abstract: Body-mountable devices comprising a dyed polymer layer that covers a portion of an electronic structure embedded in a transparent polymer are described. An example method for fabricating a body-mountable device includes providing a dyed polymer material on an electronic structure. The electronic structure comprises at least one antenna, a sensor, and an electronic device. The example method also includes molding the dyed polymer material to provide a dyed polymer layer that covers a portion of the electronic structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide improved methods and apparatus suitable for use with hearing devices. A vapor deposition process can be used to make a retention structure having a shape profile corresponding to a tissue surface, such as a retention structure having a shape profile corresponding to one or more of an eardrum, the eardrum annulus, or a skin of the ear canal. The retention structure can be resilient and may comprise an anatomically accurate shape profile corresponding to a portion of the ear, such that the resilient retention structure provides mechanical stability for an output transducer assembly placed in the ear for an extended time. The output transducer may couple to the eardrum with direct mechanical coupling or acoustic coupling when retained in the ear canal with the retention structure.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices, and methods of coating same, including a plurality of components disposed on a substrate, and a low surface energy layer deposited as a liquid over at least a first portion of the components and the substrate, the low surface energy layer becoming solidified after deposition and conforming to at least the first portion of the components. The devices further include a biocompatible hermetic coating conforming to and sealingly covering at least a portion of the low surface energy layer.

Abstract: Provided is a method for decorating a kitchen item by means of mechanical treatment in order to produce a decoration. The mechanical treatment involves removing and/or displacing part of a thermostable decorative composition by means of pressure and moving a tool or a compressed air jet over the surface of the decorative layer.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical blade includes a body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer surface. The distal end is movable relative to a longitudinal axis in accordance with ultrasonic vibrations applied to the proximal end. At least a portion of the outer surface of the body comprises a lubricious coating adhered thereto. The lubricious coating has a coefficient of friction that is less than the coefficient of friction of the outer surface of the body.

Abstract: Methods for forming an expandable tubular body having a plurality of braided filaments including a first filament including platinum or platinum alloy and a second filament including cobalt-chromium alloy. The methods include applying a first phosphorylcholine material directly on the platinum or platinum alloy of the first filament and applying a silane material on the second filament followed by a second phosphorylcholine material on the silane material on the second filament. The first and second phosphorylcholine materials each define a thickness of less than 100 nanometers.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include methods for modifying a surface of a non-porous hydrophobic polymer substrate having a backbone containing electrophilic linkages. In practicing methods according to certain embodiments, a liquid composition having a nucleophilic reagent and a catalyst is contacted with the surface of the non-porous hydrophobic polymer substrate and maintained in contact with the surface of the polymer substrate in a manner sufficient to convert at least a portion of the surface from hydrophobic to hydrophilic while retaining the mechanical and optical properties of the polymer substrate. Substrates, including containers, having one or more hydrophilic surfaces and kits suitable for practicing the subject methods are also described.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for applying a needle lubricant to a syringe. The interface forces between the needle lubricant and the syringe at the tip of the needle are balanced by optimizing the flow rate of a positively pressurized gas that is delivered to the syringe. Such optimization prevents the formation of bubbles in the needle lubricant that is applied to the syringe, thereby providing a confluent, uniform and smooth lubricant coating on the exterior wall of the needle and prevents lubricant from contaminating inner portions of the syringe. The smooth and uniform lubricant coating may minimize dilation and glide forces and pain associated with the insertion of the needle into a patient's tissue. Additionally, a gas pulse may blow off the droplet of needle lubricant from the tip of the needle to further minimize dilation forces and associated patient pain.

Abstract: Provided is a coating layer including a reaction product of a diisocyanate compound (a) selected from the group consisting of aromatic diisocyanates, aliphatic diisocyanates, and alicyclic diisocyanates, a polyol (b), and a copolymer (c) having a functional group selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acid groups, carboxylic acid ester groups, and carboxylic acid anhydride groups. The coating layer exhibits sufficient lubricity in wet conditions and has excellent durability.

Abstract: Articles are provided comprising a substrate and a coating. The coating comprises a polyelectrolyte complex having surface roughness. The polyelectrolyte complex has a thickness of at least 10 micrometers and a roughness of at least 1 micrometer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an imprinter device comprising an array of adjacent applicators that are arranged so that longitudinal axes of each of the adjacent applicators are parallel to each other, wherein the applicators are configured to make contact with and conform to a surface of a three dimensional (3D) object. In some embodiments, the applicators move independently of each other with respect to the surface of the object, and wherein the applicators are configured to apply a material over the object while in proximity to the surface of the object. Also disclosed are methods of conformal coating a surface of an object.

Abstract: Embodiments of the provided technology relate to methods, devices, and systems that drive a transfer of the digital profile of residual limb contours to a thermoplastic article such as a prosthetic socket strut. A method of reforming a thermoplastic article to assume a desired shape, such as a contour that replicates or is complementary to the contour of a body portion, may include heating a thermoplastic article to render the article malleable. The method may further include placing the thermoplastic article against a molding surface having a desired shape that replicates the portion of the body part. Next, the thermoplastic article may be pressed against the molding surface with a compliant molding press to reform at least a portion of the article into the desired shape. The reformed thermoplastic article may then be removed from the molding surface, the article retaining the desired shape after removal.

Abstract: A grouting pan assembly includes a reinforcement ring. In another aspect, a grouting pan includes a substantially planar bottom surface and a curved sidewall surrounding the bottom surface. In a further embodiment, a grouting pan assembly includes a grouting pan having a post or mechanical fastener extending from a backside thereof for attachment to a reinforcing ring or layer.

Abstract: A method of coloring a pre-sintered dental restoration comprises securing a pre-sintered dental restoration having multiple different layers having a different chemical composition of color pigments between adjacent layers; dipping the pre-sintered dental restoration into a coloring liquid, and sintering the pre-sintered dental restoration to acquire a fully sintered ceramic restoration having a translucency and color intensity/chroma with an inverse relationship with the translucency increasing in one direction of the restoration and the color intensity/chroma decreasing in the same direction of the restoration.

Abstract: Compositions and processes are disclosed for forming hydrophobic coatings and lubricant-infused surface coatings. Coatings may be applied to various substrates without prior chemical or temperature treatment of the substrates and over large and irregular surfaces. Coatings are self-healing, anti-fouling, and have enhanced lifetimes.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described to increase a surface smoothness of a 3D printed article implementing a water-based treatment using layer by layer (LBL) deposition. An initial 3D printed article having an anionic surface may be treated with a first aqueous solution comprising at least one polycation that may bind to the anionic surface to produce a first treated surface, which may be rinsed with water to remove the first aqueous solution. The first treated surface may be treated with a second aqueous solution comprising at least one anionic microparticle that may bind to the polycation to produce a final 3D printed article having a second treated surface, which may be rinsed with water to remove the second aqueous solution. The bound polycation and anionic microparticle may be present as a single layer in the final 3D printed article that may act as a conformal coating to increase the surface smoothness.

Abstract: A binary process for manufacturing dipped latex product. The binary process disclosed herein eliminates the influence of any level of pre-vulcanization on the outcome of the dipping process whether using natural or synthetic latex. The binary process includes preparing a first latex mixture Formulation A including latex, one or more accelerators, and one or more surfactants, but without curing agents; and preparing a second latex mixture Formulation B including latex, one or more curing agents, and one or more surfactants, but without curing accelerators. The process further includes dipping one or more formers into the Formulations A and B separately in order to form a plurality of coatings/layers of the Formulations A and B, and later on curing the plurality of coatings/layers on the formers to form the dipped latex products, which can be a condom, glove, balloon, catheter, finger cot, surgical tubing, baby bottle nipple or dental dam.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for coating a vascular endoprosthesis, wherein the vascular endoprosthesis is at least partially wetted with a first solution of an active ingredient and the areas of the vascular endoprosthesis at least partially wetted with the first solution of the active ingredient are at least partially wetted with a liquid containing water and/or at least an alcohol. The additional wetting with a liquid containing water/alcohol imparts a different consistency to the active ingredient layer, specifically making it is less transparent and lacquer-like and more chalklike and opaque. It has been found that such an active ingredient layer provides better transfer of the active ingredient to the blood vessels in which the vascular endoprosthesis is implanted.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating metallic microneedles are disclosed. One method comprises providing a mold pillar; forming an apertured electrically-conductive layer over the mold pillar; and depositing a metal layer over the electrically-conductive layer to provide an apertured microneedle. Another method comprises providing a mold pillar; depositing a first metal layer over the mold pillar to provide a first microneedle; removing the first microneedle from the mold pillar; and depositing a second metal layer over the mold pillar to provide a second microneedle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for plasma modifying a workpiece such as a medical barrel, medical barrel, vial, or blood tube is described. Plasma is provided within the lumen of the workpiece. The plasma is provided under conditions effective for plasma modification of a surface of the workpiece. A magnetic field is provided in at least a portion of the lumen. The magnetic field has an orientation and field strength effective to improve the uniformity of plasma modification of the generally cylindrical interior surface 16 of the generally cylindrical interior surface 16.