Abstract: Methods for processing a vessel, for example to provide a gas barrier or lubricity, are disclosed. First and second PECVD or other vessel processing stations or devices and a vessel holder comprising a vessel port are provided. An opening of the vessel can be seated on the vessel port. The interior surface of the seated vessel can be processed via the vessel port by the first and second processing stations or devices. Vessel barrier, lubricity and hydrophobic coatings and coated vessels, for example syringes and medical sample collection tubes are disclosed. A vessel processing system and vessel inspection apparatus and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical inhalation device or a component thereof having a diamond-like glass coating comprising hydrogen and on a hydrogen free basis about 20 to about 40 atomic percent of silicon, greater than 39 atomic percent of carbon, and less than 33 down to and including zero atomic percent of oxygen.

Abstract: In the process of coating pharmaceutical tablets in a moving bed, the temperature of the tablets is measured by incorporating a temperature transducer in the form of tablet into the bed of tablets, and transmitting temperature data to an external receiver by wireless telemetry.

Abstract: Methods are presented for a continuous, two-step, phase sequenced deposition of hydroxyapatite film over the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A coating device for coating a medical device with a drug-eluting material uses an in-process drying station between coats to improve a drug release profile. The drying station includes a heat nozzle configured for applying a uniform drying gas.

Abstract: This disclosure describes the application of a supplemental corona source to provide surface charge on submicrometer particles to enhance collection efficiency and micro-structural density during electrostatic collection.

Abstract: A primer used for pre-treating the surfaces of a prosthetic, which exhibits a large adhering force at the time of adhering a prosthetic of metal oxide ceramics to an object to be joined by using an adhesive such as a dental cement, the large adhering force being maintained for extended periods of time even in a severe environment such as in an oral cavity. A primer composition for metal oxide ceramics includes (A) a polymerizable monomer component containing 5% by mass or more, preferably, 5% by mass to 80% by mass of an acidic group-containing polymerizable monomer as represented by a 11-methacryloyloxy-1,1-undecanedicarboxylic acid and a rest of a polymerizable monomer without acidic group, such as triethylene glycol dimethacrylate; (B) polyvalent metal ions resulting from a titanium tetrabutoxide or the like; and (C) an organic solvent such as acetone or ethyl alcohol, wherein water is not substantially contained.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive system includes a melting unit configured to liquefy a bulk form of hot melt adhesive and deliver the liquefied hot melt adhesive to an application location. The melting unit includes a controller for establishing and/or verifying at least one system condition, such as temperatures associated with system operation. A machine reading unit is coupled with the controller and is capable of receiving information from a machine readable element and communicating the information to the controller for use in establishing and/or verifying the system condition. A method of operating the system includes scanning information on at least one system condition into the controller from a machine readable element, and using the scanned information during operation of the melting unit.

Abstract: A method for producing a bilayer of amphipathic molecules comprising providing a hydrated support and providing a hydrophilic body, and bringing the hydrated support and hydrophilic body into contact to form a bilayer of amphipathic molecules. A bilayer produced by the method of the invention, and uses of the bilayer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing implant abutments 9 for dental implants 1, wherein the implant abutment 9 comprises a prefabricated base member 8 for joining the implant abutment to the dental implant 1, and a customized main body 15. The aim of the invention is to simplify this method of manufacturing. To this end, the main body 15 is formed by sintering and/or melting powdery material onto the base member 8 using laser sintering and/or laser melting. The invention relates also to an implant abutment manufactured by such a method.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wire for straightening irregular teeth, which is not harmful to a human body and preserves the color of the teeth, is provided. The method of manufacturing a wire for straightening irregular teeth includes manufacturing a metal wire with metal alloy; physically or chemically etching a surface of the metal wire and then performing heat treatment; coating the surface of the metal wire with a metal material, Teflon, epoxy or urethane to show white or ivory and then performing heat treatment; forming a transparent parylene film on the metal material, Teflon, epoxy or urethane and then performing heat treatment; and removing one side of the foregoing coating layer from the surface of the metal wire, and then applying surface treatment to the one side with the coating layer removed.

Abstract: An implant, in particular an intraluminal endoprosthesis, is provided having an implant body containing biodegradable metallic material, preferably iron. To accelerate the degradation, at least a portion of the surface of the implant body has a first coating formed from a composition containing at least one element selected from the group including strontium and calcium. An inexpensive method for manufacturing such an implant is also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of coating microneedles by which the microneedles mounted on a microneedle device are coated accurately and easily in a mass-producible manner. In this method, a microneedle device (22) with a plurality of microneedles (21) is mounted on a table (23), while a mask plate (25) with a plurality of apertures (24) is fixed to a frame member (26), and a coating solution (27) is drawn in the direction of arrow A on the mask plate (25) using a spatula (28) to fill the apertures (24) with the coating solution. The microneedles (21) are inserted in the apertures (24) before or after the filling of the apertures (24) with the coating solution (27) to coat the microneedles (21).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for producing a coated substrate, including dissolving at least one biomolecule to form a solution; nebulizing the solution to form a liquid aerosol; combining the liquid aerosol and a plasma to form a coating; and depositing, in the absence of reactive monomers, the coating onto a substrate surface. In an aspect, the substrate can be an implantable medical device.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for making gelatin shunts. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods that may involve moving a wire through a bath including a bottom layer of liquid gelatin and a top layer of water, thereby coating the wire with gelatin, moving the gelatin coated wire through an aperture, and drying the gelatin on the wire in a humidity controlled space, thereby manufacturing a gelatin shunt. In other embodiments, the invention provides systems that may include a motor, a wire operable coupled to the motor for movement of the wire, a temperature controllable bath, an aperture plate situated in a top portion of the bath, and an ultrasonic fogger, in which the system is configured such that the wire moves through the bath, through the aperture plate, and into the ultrasonic fogger.

Abstract: A medical device includes a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a body lumen, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. The tubular device includes an inner liner including a coating on an inner surface thereof, a reinforcing layer surrounding at least a portion of the liner; and an outer layer surrounding the reinforcing layer and inner liner. The liner and outer layer may include multiple sections having different properties than one another, adjacent sections attached together by seams, which may be offset from one another. Apparatus and methods for making tubular devices with coated liners are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for forming a “coating gradient” on medical devices, such as a balloon catheter or guidewire are disclosed. The balloon portion of the catheter has a protective covering initially placed over it to prevent the balloon from receiving a first hydrophilic coating. After a first hydrophilic coating is applied, the protective covering is removed. A second hydrophilic coating could be applied to the catheter. A guidewire having less lubricity at the distal end portion also can be created. A first hydrophilic coating is applied to the elongated shaft and distal shaft section of the guidewire. After the first hydrophilic coating cures, the first hydrophilic coating is removed from a portion of the distal shaft section of the guidewire. A second hydrophillic coating can then be applied to the elongated shaft and distal shaft section of the guidewire. The second hydrophilic coating can be allowed to cure.

Abstract: A method of coating a microneedle array by applying a coating fluid using a flexible film in a brush-like manner. A method of coating a microneedle array comprising: providing a microneedle array having a substrate and a plurality of microneedles; providing a flexible film; providing a coating solution comprising a carrier fluid and a coating material; applying the coating solution onto a first major surface of the flexible film; performing a transfer step of bringing the first major surface of the flexible film into contact with the microneedles and removing the flexible film from contact with the microneedles; and allowing the carrier fluid to evaporate.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and devices for coating stents are described herein.

Abstract: A fine metal structure having its surface furnished with microprojections of high strength, high precision and large aspect ratio; and a process for producing the fine metal structure free of defects. There is provided a fine metal structure having its surface furnished with microprojections, characterized in that the microprojections have a minimum thickness or minimum diameter ranging from 10 nanometers to 10 micrometers and that the ratio between minimum thickness or minimum diameter (D) of microprojections and height of microprojections (H), H/D, is greater than 1.