Abstract: Kits and methods are provided for color customization of articles by applying ink to regions of decreased pigment density. By creating tension over these regions during application of the ink, the ink may be preferentially transferred to those regions.

Abstract: A member adhering decoration method capable of enhancing processability in comparison with conventional methods is provided. The member adhering decoration method for decorating a target object (11) by adhering a decoration member (13a), which is a member for decoration, onto the object (11) includes: a primer layer formation step for ink jet printing a tack-containing coating, which is a coating that contains a tack, onto the object (11) during curing or drying to form a primer layer (12) on the object (11) by using the tack-containing coating; and a decoration layer formation step for applying the decoration member (13a) onto the primer layer (12) formed by the primer layer formation step to thereby form a decoration layer (13) composed of the decoration member (13a) on the primer layer (12) by using the tack of the primer layer (12).

Abstract: A composite film includes a substrate that is not responsive to relative humidity, and also one or more layers of hygromorphic material. The hygromorphic material expands in response to an increase in relative humidity and contracts in response to a decrease in relative humidity. In some cases, the composite film is bi-layer or tri-layer. The composite films are fabricated such that they undergo a desired bending pattern in response to changes in relative humidity. In some cases, these bending patterns are combinations of two bending primitives: a smooth curve and a sharply angled curve. These two primitives are combined to create a variety of shape transformations including 1D linear transformation, 2D surface expansion and contraction, 2.5D texture change and 3D folding. Any type of hygromorphic material may be employed, including living gram positive and gram negative bacterial cells, yeast cells, plant cells, mammalian cells, cell debris, or hydrogel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for hydrating a particulate biomaterial with a liquid biomaterial includes a vacuum device and a valve for withdrawing a gas from the particulate biomaterial and introducing the liquid biomaterial. The valve includes a hub, a valve body, a particulate port, a vacuum port, and a liquid port. The valve body selectively moves between first and second positions. The valve body at least partially defines a first passage and a second passage. The particulate port, the vacuum port, and the liquid port are each configured to fluidly connect to a particulate container, the vacuum device, and the liquid container, respectively. In the first position, the first passage fluidly connects the vacuum port to the particulate port for withdrawing the gas from the particulate container. In the second position, the second passage fluidly connects the liquid port to the particulate port for hydrating the particulate biomaterial.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of marking an item with naturally-derived or synthetic non-natural polymeric marker molecules, such as a DNA or Peptide marker in conjunction with optional visible or rapid scan reporters for authenticating or tracking, in which the method includes providing an item for marking, and applying a medium including a DNA marker to the item. The invention further provides methods for stably binding and immobilizing activated deoxyribonucleic acid onto objects and substrates. The method includes exposing the deoxyribonucleic acid to alkaline conditions, and contacting the deoxyribonucleic acid to the object or substrate. Also provided are methods for increasing the recoverability of taggants from an object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coating the balloon of a balloon catheter, wherein the surface of the balloon is at least partially wetted with a first solution of an active ingredient, the part of the surface of the balloon wetted with the first solution of the active ingredient is wetted with a liquid containing water and/or at least one alcohol, and the part of the surface of the balloon wetted with the first solution and the liquid containing water and/or at least one alcohol is wetted with an additional solution that contains a polysaccharide. In this way, the balloon is provided with an active ingredient layer, which during the balloon dilatation is effectively applied to the vessel inner wall due to the embrittlement of the surface and cases a slowed, long lasting release of the active ingredient.

Abstract: A balloon coating method for forming a coating layer containing a water-insoluble drug on an outer surface of a balloon of a balloon catheter includes: fixing a connection portion between the balloon and an inner tube penetrating an inside of the balloon in such a manner as to clamp the connection portion by at least two clamping portions each having a groove-shaped curved surface extending along an axis of the inner tube; pulling the balloon in an axial direction of the balloon by the clamping portions to thereby straighten a bend of the balloon; and moving a dispensing tube for supplying a coating liquid containing the drug relative to the balloon in the axial direction of the balloon, while rotating the balloon about an axis of the balloon, to thereby coat the outer surface of the balloon with the coating liquid.

Abstract: A positioning method for balloon coating by which the thickness, morphological form and the like of a drug in a coating formed on a balloon can be suitably set. This method is a positioning method for balloon coating for forming a coating layer containing a water-insoluble drug on an outer surface of a balloon of a balloon catheter. The positioning method includes a positioning step in which the dispensing tube is positioned in such a manner that a virtual position at which an opening portion would be located if the dispensing tube is assumed to be non-flexible is located within the range of 0 degrees to 40 degrees from the reference plane toward the rotating direction side of the balloon, in a region extending from the reference plane in a direction opposite to the discharge direction of the dispensing tube.

Abstract: A balloon coating method is disclosed, which includes an application step in which, where a flexible dispensing tube for supplying a coating solution containing the water-insoluble drug and a solvent is formed at its end portion with an opening portion for discharging the coating solution therethrough and when the opening portion-formed end portion side of the dispensing tube is kept in contact with the outer surface of the balloon in such a manner as to be oriented in a direction opposite to a rotating direction of the balloon while the balloon is rotated about an axis of the balloon, the coating solution is discharged through the opening portion and applied to the outer surface of the balloon while the dispensing tube is moved relative to the balloon in an axial direction X of the balloon.

Abstract: The present document is directed to medical implants in the form of titanium dioxide scaffolds. Disclosed is a method for producing titanium dioxide scaffolds having an increased mechanical strength by recoating the titanium dioxide scaffold with a low viscosity titanium dioxide slurry in a vacuum infiltration process followed by sintering of the scaffold. The document is also directed to the recoated titanium dioxide scaffolds produced and their uses as medical implants.

Abstract: A device comprises a cylinder and a tank. The cylinder includes a first disc and a second disc, multiple struts arranged orthogonally between the first disc and the second disc, and a plurality of walls, parallel to the first disc and the second disc. The struts generally form a circumference with spaces between each of the struts along the circumference; the walls extend through the space between the struts and beyond the circumference of the struts; and the walls form a plurality of tracks around the circumference of the struts. An axle extends orthogonally between the first disc and the second disc, and at least a portion of the cylinder rotates about the axle. The tank includes a basin to hold a liquid solution. When a catheter is wound around the cylinder, the rotation of the cylinder causes the catheter to be coated in the liquid solution from the basin.

Abstract: Cardiac disease is the world's leading cause of death. Cardiac Disease's pathogenesis is largely attributed to cholesterol, predominantly carried by low-density lipoproteins (LDL). However, recent research has found that oxidized-LDL is significantly more potent in the initiation and development of atherosclerosis. Tests for both cholesterol and ox-LDL tests are lab-based and expensive. With every third American at risk for Cardiac Disease, this invention discloses an on-site, ultra-low cost, rapid diagnostic test. The diagnostic test disclosed will enable a holistic assessment of Cardiac Disease risk. Furthermore, portability and ultra low-cost of the test put vital health data in the hands of patients and doctors. Additionally, the inkjet printing system disclosed can be used to mass produce the test strips on demand.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are biosensor systems and related methods for detecting analytes in aqueous and biologic environments. A biosensor system for detecting binding of an analyte of interest may include a detector configured to detect a change in an electrical property on a surface thereof. The detector may be a FET. The system also may include a passive layer disposed on a top surface of the detector. Further, the system may include a hydrophobic layer disposed on the passive layer. The system also may include a receptor-attachment material configured for binding to an analyte. A receptor may bind to the analyte, and the receptor may be attached to the receptor-attachment material. The binding of the analyte to the receptor can cause the change of the electrical property at the surface. In response to the change for example, a current may change for indicating the binding of the analyte to the receptor.

Abstract: A stain-barrier is described along with methods of its application to a fabric. The stain barrier can be applied to fabric samples and limits the amount of fabric with which deposited liquid is able to interact. This stain barrier reduces unwanted variability between samples of different dilution or fabric type so that limits of stain detection can be assigned more accurately and precisely and stain detection techniques can be transparently compared.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for printing fabric or leather product, and printed matter printed by using the same, the method comprising the steps of: a) forming a digital print layer by performing digital printing on a release transfer paper by using an inkjet printer; b) forming adhesive layer by coating the digital print layer with an adhesive, and drying for a predetermined time; and c) bonding fabric or leather product to the adhesive layer. Thus, the present invention can precisely print fabric or leather product with high resolution and can enable customized printing so as to allow small quantity batch production.

Abstract: A Wurster processor and a powder feed system are coupled via an eductor so as to supply dry powder through the air diverter sleeve of the Wurster for discharging onto the circulating particles during operation of the Wurster. Agglomeration and aggregation of the particles is eliminated or minimized by isolating or separating the liquid spray by the spray gun from the dry powder.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include apparatus and methods for coating drug eluting medical devices. In an embodiment, the invention includes a coating apparatus including a coating application unit comprising a movement restriction structure; a fluid applicator; and an air nozzle. The apparatus can further include a rotation mechanism and an axial motion mechanism, the axial motion mechanism configured to cause movement of at least one of the coating application unit and the rotation mechanism with respect to one another. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an orthodontic appliance includes plating a first pattern of a material on a substrate to define a layer. Repeating plating of the first material one or more times forms an additional pattern. A layered structure is built up and forms a portion of the orthodontic appliance. A pattern of a second material different from a first material may be plated on the substrate or on a pattern of the first material. The material may be a sacrificial material that may be later removed. The orthodontic appliance may be an archwire or a self-ligating orthodontic bracket having one or more layered structures formed by plating patterns of the material. Plating may include plating patterns of materials so as to form a movable member in place relative to a bracket body.

Abstract: The invention provides a medical implant device or component thereof comprising a metal substrate, an intermediate coating, and an outer coating of aluminum oxide, as well as a method of making such a medical implant device or component thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods, processes, and systems for coating portions of a workpiece as well as to workpieces that have themselves been coated in accord with the invention. Under these methods and processes of the invention, a means to repel may be positioned on a mandrel prior to applying a coating to the workpiece. The means to repel may prevent the coating of a target surface of the workpiece.