Abstract: A dispersion comprising a pigment, a polymer comprising a carboxyl group, a crosslinking agent capable of undergoing a crosslinking reaction with the carboxyl group, an inhibition agent comprising a tertiary amine, and a liquid carrier, wherein at least one of the mean particle size and the viscosity of the dispersion increases by less than 20% over about three months in sealed storage at ambient temperature, as determined by accelerated shelf life testing.

Abstract: Processes are described herein for preparing medical devices and other articles having a low-fouling surface on a substrate comprising a polymeric surface. The polymeric surface material may possess a range of polymeric backbones and substituents while providing the articles with a highly efficient, biocompatible, and non-fouling surface. The processes involve treating the substrate to reduce the concentration of chemical species on the surface of or in the substrate without altering the bulk physical properties of the device or article, and thereafter forming a grafted polymer layer on the treated substrate surface.

Abstract: The present specification describes a cliché, a method of manufacturing the cliché, and a printing method using the cliché.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solution for coloring and imparting fluorescence to a zirconia dental article, the solution comprising: •a solvent, •a coloring agent comprising ions selected from Tb, Er, Pr, Mn and combinations thereof, •a fluorescing agent comprising ions of Bi, the solution not comprising Fe ions in an amount above about 0.05 wt.-% with respect to the weight of the whole solution.

Abstract: Various methods for laser welding biocompatible material for use in implantable medical devices are disclosed. A method for laser processing includes applying a laser beam to a biocompatible material comprising at least 85% by weight zirconium oxide (ZrO2) or “zirconia” in an oxygen-free environment and depleting the material of oxygen. The depletion of oxygen converts the zirconium oxide to elemental zirconium at an interface where the material is applied to the elemental zirconium. In one embodiment, the present invention provides for an implantable medical device or component thereof made of a biocompatible material comprising zirconium oxide. The device includes a substrate that has an intrinsic conductive pathway comprising elemental zirconium that extends from a first surface to a second surface of the substrate.

Abstract: This invention describes a method for producing a novel, superior, highly electroactive material and highly electroactive actuator, which act as artificial muscle, tendon, fascia, perimysium, epimysium, and skin that wrinkles and with the preferred movement of contraction, comprising ion-containing, cross-linked electroactive material(s); solvent(s); electrode(s); attachments to levers or other objects; and coating(s). The composition and electrode configuration of the highly electroactive material of the highly electroactive actuator can be optimized so that contraction occurs when activated by electricity, and when allowed to relax back to its original conformation or when the polarity of the electrodes is reversed, expansion occurs, and a combination of these movements can be arranged, such as antagonistic pairs. The highly electroactive material itself or the highly electroactive actuator may be used individually or grouped to produce movement when activated by electricity.

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: This invention relates to stents, a type of implantable medical device, with an antiproliferative coating and a prohealing luminal coating and methods of fabricating stents with an antiproliferative coating and a prohealing luminal coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved printed image for the décor of a panel. Furthermore the invention relates to a method for imprinting plates, in particular wall, ceiling or floor panels. The method thereby comprises the following steps: (i) Providing a plate; (ii) applying a primer by means of a liquid curtain of coating material on/to a main surface of the plate; (iii) optionally drying and/or curing the primer; (iv) treating the surface of the primer by means of at least one of the following measures: a) corona treatment; b) plasma treatment; c) applying an oil in an aqueous dilution and (v) applying a decorative décor.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a coated low-friction medical device, such as low-friction medical tubing, including applying a coating to one or more selected portions of a surface of low-friction medical tubing to indicate at least one marking formed along the surface of the low-friction medical tubing, and simultaneously or substantially simultaneously: (a) curing the applied coating to a designated temperature (which is above the temperature at which the low-friction medical tubing begins to decompose and shrink) to adhere the applied coating to the surface of the low-friction medical tubing, (b) utilizing one or more anti-shrinking devices to counteract or otherwise inhibit the shrinking of the low-friction medical tubing, and (c) exhausting any harmful byproducts resulting from curing the low-friction medical tubing to a temperate above the temperature at which the low-friction medical tubing begins to decompose.

Abstract: An implantable or insertable medical device can include a silicone substrate and a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition coating on the silicone substrate. The coating may include a silicon-containing compound. A method of forming the coating is also provided.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an embodiment of a medical device comprising the steps of: preparing a biodegradable polymeric structure; coating the biodegradable polymeric structure with a polymeric coat including a pharmacological or biological agent; cutting the structure into patterns configured to allow for crimping of the cut structure and expansion of the cut structure after crimping into a deployed configuration.

Abstract: A deposition apparatus may uniformly control deposited quantities of a plurality of depositing sources by efficiently determining an abnormal depositing source. The deposition apparatus may reduce loss of materials by exactly determining an abnormal depositing source. The deposition apparatus includes: a plurality of depositing sources spraying a deposition material; a substrate holder fixing a substrate to face the depositing source; a depositing source shutter disposed at one side of the depositing source and opening and closing an passage of each depositing source; and a main shutter disposed between the depositing source and the substrate fixed to the substrate holder and depositing a part of the deposition material on the substrate through the main shutter.

Abstract: A directed self-assembly composition for pattern formation, includes two or more kinds of polymers. The two or more kinds of polymers each do not have a silicon atom in a main chain thereof. At least one of the two or more kinds of polymers has a group binding to the polymerizing end of the main chain and having a hetero atom.

Abstract: An implantable device has a cylindrical base, at least one electrode on the cylindrical base, at least one electrically conducting lead on the cylindrical base connected to the electrode wherein the electrically conducting lead has a feature size of <10 micrometers. A protective coating on the cylindrical base covers the at least one electrically conducting lead.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating an article surface. The method comprises removing a metal oxide surface from the metal substrate to expose a metal surface; and delivering particles comprising a dopant from at least one fluid jet to the metal surface to impregnate the surface of the article with the dopant. The method also comprises delivering substantially simultaneously a first set of particles comprising a dopant and a second set of particles comprising an abrasive from at least one fluid jet to a surface of an article to impregnate the surface of the article with the dopant.

Abstract: Various methods can be employed to apply an antimicrobial coating to the outer surface of catheter tubing. The antimicrobial coating minimizes the risk of microbe colonization on the outer surface of the catheter tubing when the catheter tubing is positioned within the vasculature of a patient. A catheter can be manufactured using a pre-treatment process which applies the antimicrobial coating to the catheter tubing prior to applying a lubricant over top of the coating. The lubricant can function to retain the coating on the outer surface and also to limit the diffusion of the antimicrobial agent from the coating. A catheter can include an antimicrobial coating that does not block the visibility of flashback. Because the antimicrobial coating can be minimally transparent, the coating can be applied to the outer surface in a striped pattern or other pattern that leaves a portion of the outer surface uncoated or minimally coated.

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: Methods of making polymeric devices, such as stents, using solvent based processes. More particularly, methods of making bioabsorbable stents.

Abstract: Devices and methods for delivering a therapeutic substance to a patient are provided. Embodiments include infusion sets that include an active agent. Also provided are systems and kits.