Abstract: A surface coating method for an orthodontic corrective bracket is provided, in which each orthodontic bracket formed of ceramic is covered with a titanium coating layer having a predetermined thickness so as to be able to minimize a frictional force and to increase surface hardness and durability while a wire fitted into slots of the brackets applies orthodontic tension to teeth. Accordingly, when the teeth are corrected using the ceramic orthodontic brackets on whose surfaces the titanium coating layer having a predetermined thickness is formed, the frictional force can be minimized while the wire fitted into the slots of the brackets is applying the orthodontic tension to the teeth, and thus it is possible to realize a tooth movement path desired by an orthodontist and to shorten a treatment period.

Abstract: A method of making a compression device having a pressure applicator for applying a compression to a wearer's body part when the device is placed on the wearer's body includes applying a colorant having a first color to at least a portion of a loop material having a second color that is different than the first color. The step of applying colorant includes applying colorant to loops of the loop material so that repeated connection and disconnection of hook material attached to the device with the loop material causes loops having the first color of the colorant thereon to break so that the second color of the loop material is revealed by breakage of loops of the loop material having the colorant applied thereto.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods for coating stents are described herein. Applying a composition including polymer component and solvent to a stent substrate followed by exposing the polymer component to a temperature equal to or greater than a Tg of the polymer component is disclosed. Repeating the applying and exposing one or more times to form a coating with the result that the solvent content of the coating after the final exposing step is at a level suitable for a finished stent is further disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for coating an expandable member of a medical device comprises providing a dispenser in fluid communication with a fluid source with the dispenser having at least one outlet to dispense fluid of the fluid source therefrom. The outlet(s) of the dispenser is positioned proximate a surface of an expandable member, with relative movement between the outlet(s) and the surface of the expandable member established along a coating path, and fluid is dispensed from the dispenser to form a substantially continuous bead of fluid between the at least one outlet and the surface of the expandable member along the coating path, and simultaneously drying the fluid while dispensing the fluid from the dispenser to control flow of fluid on the surface of the expandable member. The fluid source can include a variety of therapeutic agents.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for loading a therapeutic substance or drug within a lumenal space of a hollow wire having a plurality of side openings along a length thereof that forms a hollow drug-eluting stent with a plurality of side drug delivery openings. Loading a drug within the lumenal space of the hollow stent includes a drug filling step, in which the drug is mixed with a solvent or dispersion medium. The lumenal space may be filled with the drug solution or suspension in a reverse fill process and/or a forward fill process. After the drug filling step, a solvent or dispersion medium extracting step is performed to extract the solvent or dispersion medium from within the lumenal space such that only the drug remains within the hollow stent. A stent cleaning step may be performed to an exterior surface of the hollow stent.

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, for example using material outgassed from a surface to inspect the properties of a surface coating.

Abstract: A bone repair material being superior in apatite-forming ability and its stability in a storage and high in scratch resistance is disclosed. The material is produced by a method comprising the steps of: immersing a substrate made of titanium or a titanium alloy in a first aqueous solution that does not contain calcium ions but contains at least one cation selected from the group consisting of sodium ions and potassium ions and is alkaline; immersing the substrate in a second aqueous solution that does not contain phosphate ions but contains calcium ions; heating the substrate in a dry atmosphere; and treating the substrate with hot water of 60° C. or higher or with steam.

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

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method for coating ophthalmic lenses, preferably contact lenses, more preferably silicone hydrogel contact lenses. In particular, the present invention is directed to a method for forming a coating comprising a polyionic material on a contact lens, preferably a silicone hydrogel contact lens, directly in the primary package and maintaining the coated contact lens within said primary package until insertion of the coated contact lens in the eye of the contact lens user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for loading a therapeutic substance or drug within a lumenal space of a hollow wire having a plurality of side openings along a length thereof that forms a hollow drug-eluting stent with a plurality of side drug delivery openings. Loading a drug within the lumenal space of the hollow stent includes a drug filling step, in which the drug is mixed with a solvent or dispersion medium. The lumenal space may be filled with the drug solution or suspension in a reverse fill process and/or a forward fill process. After the drug filling step, a solvent or dispersion medium extracting step is performed to extract the solvent or dispersion medium from within the lumenal space such that only the drug remains within the hollow stent. A stent cleaning step may be performed to an exterior surface of the hollow stent.

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: Provided is a method of manufacturing a hollow microneedle structure. The method includes coating a hollow core having a predetermined section and being long in a lengthwise direction with a coating solution, and solidifying the coating solution to form a coating layer, depositing a metal seed layer on the coating layer, plating the seed metal layer with a metal to form a plated layer, cutting the hollow core having the plated layer at an inclination angle with respect to the lengthwise direction for form a surface inclination, and removing the hollow core and the coating layer to form a hollow microneedle structure. Thus, the hollow microneedle structure can be manufactured to have such diameter, length, hardness, and inclination angle as to minimize pain. By use of the hollow core, the microneedle structure can have vertical microneedles with a uniform inner diameter.

Abstract: A flexible laminate composition and methods for manufacturing same are provided. The flexible laminate composition includes one or more discrete and separate layers of a radiopaque material wherein the radiopaque layer is applied via a solvent to a layer that is composed of a plastic material. The laminate composition can be formed into a radiopaque marker band that can be used with a medical device, such as a catheter, for radiographic imaging. The laminate composition as an alternative can also be utilized to form the catheter or other suitable medical device.

Abstract: The apparatus and method use an optical feedback system to align a brush assembly with a stent strut. Once alignment is achieved, a coating is dispensed onto the stent strut via the brush assembly and the brush assembly is moved along the stent strut to coat the stent strut.

Abstract: The invention relates to a preparation for restenosis prevention. The preparations for restenosis prevention known as yet do not reach sufficient active agent concentrations in the affected sections of the vascular walls as higher doses cause undesirable side effects. The present invention is a preparation to which at least one antihyperplastic agent is added that has a distribution ratio between butanol and water .gtoreq.0.5. The lipophilic active agent is absorbed by the vascular wall fast and in sufficient quantity. The preparation may be a liquid that can pass through capillaries and may contain a contrast agent so that the active agent is transferred into the vascular wall without any additional effort while the usually required contrast radiograms are taken. The preparation may also be applied to a catheter.

Abstract: A high strength surgical suture material with improved tie down characteristics and tissue compliance formed of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) yarns, the suture being coated with arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD) peptide. The suture has exceptional strength, is ideally suited for most orthopedic procedures, and can be attached to a suture anchor or a curved needle.

Abstract: A method of coating a stent may comprise applying a composition including a drug and a polymer to the stent to form a coating. The release rate of the drug from the coating gradually increases along a length of the stent which extends axially from opposite ends of the stent. The variable drug release rate can be accomplished by varying the coating thickness, by applying a barrier region over the drug-containing composition, and/or by having different polymers in the coating, the polymers having different drug permeabilities.

Abstract: Methods for making collagen based biocomposite constructs and related devices include: (a) winding at least one collagen fiber a number of revolutions about a length of a support member having a long axis, the winding having at least one defined pitch and/or fiber angle relative to the long axis of the support member to form an elongate construct; and (b) applying a fluid polymeric material, such as, for example, an acrylate emulsion and/or other thermoplastic material, onto the collagen fiber during the winding step. Optionally, the fluid polymeric material can include antibiotics and/or other therapeutic agents for additional function/utility.

Abstract: An expandable medical device has a plurality of elongated struts joined together to form a substantially cylindrical device, which is expandable from a cylinder having a first diameter to a cylinder having a second diameter. At least one of the plurality of struts includes at least one opening extending at least partially through a thickness of the strut. A beneficial agent is loaded into the opening within the strut in layers to achieve desired temporal release kinetics of the agent. Alternatively, the beneficial agent is loaded in a shape which is configured to achieve the desired agent delivery profile. A wide variety of delivery profiles can be achieved including zero order, pulsatile, increasing, decrease, sinusoidal, and other delivery profiles.

Abstract: A stent fixture for supporting a stent during the application of a coating substance is provided.