Abstract: The process for applying a thermally attached lubricating coating on an interior wall of a cylindrical medicinal container includes applying a thermally attachable lubricant to an interior wall of the container; uniformly spreading or homogenizing the applied lubricant on the wall to form a lubricating coating and thermally attaching the lubricating coating by irradiating the lubricating coating with infrared radiation selectively in a cylindrical region of the container at elevated temperatures above a maximum operating temperature of the container. The apparatus for performing the process includes an insertable spraying device for applying the thermally attachable lubricant (3) to the interior wall of the container (1) from a supply reservoir; a device for homogenizing the lubricant to form the lubricating coating (4) and a rod-shaped infrared radiation source (5) insertable into an interior space of the container.

Abstract: A process for producing a laminate comprising individual layers, such process including a sequence of operations in which initially a support substrate is provided, to which at least two compositions, each of which is liquid under the processing conditions, are applied as individual layers, one on top of the other. Each composition comprises either one active pharmaceutical or cosmetic substance or one pharmaceutical or cosmetic auxiliary.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for coating a material surface, comprising the steps of: (a) covalently binding a compound comprising an ethylenically unsaturated double bond to the material surface; (b) polymerizing a monomer comprising a reactive or crosslinkable group on the surface and thereby providing a primary polymer coating comprising reactive or crosslinkable groups, (c) in case of a monomer comprising a reactive group in step (b) reacting the reactive groups of the primary coating with a further compound comprising an ethylenically unsaturated double bond and graft-polymerizing a hydrophilic monomer and optionally a co-monomer having a crosslinkable group onto the primary coating obtained according to step (b) and (d) in case of crosslinkable groups being present in step (b) or (c) initiating crosslinking of said groups.

Abstract: A prosthesis having an apertured structure is located in a chamber (11) which is taken to sub-atmospheric pressure. Once sub-atmospheric pressure has been reached, a liquid, optionally containing pharmacological agents, is introduced into the chamber. Drawn by the sub-atmospheric pressure, the liquid saturates the apertured structure of the prosthesis. In this way, the invention eliminates the risk of air being trapped in the apertured structure that could give rise to the formation of blood clots after implantation of the prosthesis. The liquid can contain drugs that penetrate the prosthesis, performing their therapeutic action locally and over time after implantation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of repairing a moisture barrier separating a paper machine dryer drum from the dryer journal. Such processes of this type, generally, involve filling the cavity between the dryer drum steam intake pipe and the dryer journal with a flowable moisture barrier material. The flowable moisture barrier seals leaks in the dryer journal moisture barrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of repairing a MCrAlY-coating of an article, which has being exposed to the hot gases of, for example, a gas turbine. The MCrAlY-coating is examined and repaired only locally where it is needed and then, subsequently, on top of the MCrAlY-coating the article is aluminized and/or chromized, avoiding the stripping of the whole coating and re-coating over the entire surface of the article. This is for replenishing the coating of Al and/or Cr that become depleted during engine operation, in an easy, cost and time saving manner.

Abstract: A bioactive bone mineral carbonated nano-crystalline apatite is chemically bonded to a variety of substrates, including implantable prostheses. This coating is applied uniformly to substrate surfaces of varying geometry and surface textures. It is firmly secured to the substrate and encourages rapid and effective bone ingrowth. The coating is applied by immersing the substrate in an aqueous solution containing calcium, phosphate and carbonate ions. Other ions, such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride, sulfate, and silicate, may optionally be present in the solution. The solution is exposed in a controlled environment when it reacts with the substrate to form the coating.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis, for example a stent, is provided having one or more micropatterned microdepots formed in the stent. Depots are formed in the prosthesis via chemical etching and laser fabrication methods, including combinations thereof. They are formed at preselected locations on the body of the prosthesis and have a preselected depth, size, and shape. The depots can have various shapes including a cylindrical, a conical or an inverted-conical shape. Substances such as therapeutic substances, polymeric materials, polymeric materials containing therapeutic substances, radioactive isotopes, and radiopaque materials can be deposited into the depots.

Abstract: A method for producing increased resistance to biodegradability is provided for biomedical devices subject to in vivo implantation. Among the steps required to produce such resistance are the application of a thermoplastic polyurethane coating to the device to provide a coating, and the subsequent crosslinking of the thermoplastic polyurethane coating through the application of radiation of a sufficient intensity and duration to convert said thermoplastic polyurethane coating to a thermoset coating possessing the attribute of increased biostability.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for making encased bound microparticles by nebulizing a dispersion of the bound microparticles into a solution of an encasing polymer and into a liquid, non-solvent of said encasing polymer.

Abstract: Methods of coating an implantable device and a system for performing such methods are disclosed. An embodiment of the method includes applying a coating substance to the surface of an implantable device, and rotating the implantable device in a centrifuge. The method can uniformly coat the implantable device with the coating substance and to remove unwanted accumulations of coating substance entrained between struts or crevices in the implantable device body. This system is applicable to methods for coating intraluminal stents, synthetic grafts, and stent coverings with therapeutic compositions comprising therapeutic agents mixed with a polymeric matrix and a solvent.

Abstract: A physical vapor deposition apparatus and process are provided for providing a highly smooth shiny coating to a substrate. The apparatus includes a chamber with a fixture for mounting the components to be coated. The fixture is arranged such that the surfaces to be coated define a “dark side” that faces away from the source of ion bombardment. With this arrangement, heavier multiple ions will travel past the surface to be coated. Lighter single ions will be drawn more readily to the oppositely charged surface to be coated, and hence will undergo a non-linear travel path for deposition onto the component.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided in which a metal precursor is formed in a process that includes the following steps: depositing a metal precursor on a substrate; adding an energy to reduce the metal precursor and to precipitate metal on the substrate as a continuous metal layer; and selecting the metal precursor and the energy such that the purity of the continuous metal layer is greater than 85%, and/or the deposited layer has an electrical conductivity substantially that of a pure metal. Methods and apparatus are also provided in which a metal is deposited onto a substrate by a process which includes the following steps: depositing the metal precursor onto the substrate in a desired pattern; and applying sufficient energy to decompose the precursor to precipitate metal in a continuous metal layer in the desired pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for applying a coating to an implantable device. The implantable device can include depots formed in the outer surface thereof to receive the coating. The coating can include a polymer and a solvent applicable to the surface of the implantable device including the depots. The application of the composition is performed under a pressure, which can reduce the surface tension and/or molecular adhesion force of the composition. The reduced surface tension and/or adhesion force allows gas bubbles within the depots to be removed while the composition is being driven into the depots.

Abstract: A semi-automated coating system for providing medical devices with antimicrobial coatings is disclosed. The semi-automated coating system extends the coating solution's usable life span by minimizing exposure to light, air and temperature extremes. Moreover, the disclosed semi-automated coating system minimizes operator and environmental exposure to the coating solutions. Methods for coating medical devices using the semi-automated coating system are also provided. The methods disclose techniques for preparing coating solutions, setting up the coating system and operating the device. Moreover, the systems and methods described herein minimize operator intervention with the coating processes and provide superior product consistency.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing antimicrobial, antithrombogenic medical devices. The method employs an antimicrobial treatment process wherein an antimicrobial agent is dissolved in an appropriate solvent and the resulting solution is contacted with a portion of a medical device of interest. The antimicrobial treatment process is advantageously performed without the need for additional compounds to facilitate antimicrobial agent uptake into the device. The method further comprises an antithrombogenic treatment process wherein antithrombogenic agents or materials are applied or otherwise associated with at least some portion of the medical device.

Abstract: An activated substrate surface suitable for electronics and microsystems preparation is prepare by contacting the surface with a surface activation compound, e.g. organometallic based on palladium, platinum, rhodium or iridium. The photo labile ligand has an optical absorption band which overlaps with the wavelength of the UV. A UV lamp is used, in combination with a mask, to selectively irradiate the contacted surface. Irradiation of the surface with light of a suitable wavelength decomposes the organometallic compound to the activating metal. The surface is then ready for electroless plating with the desired conducting material. The mask is patterned to delineate areas where surface activation is not to occur. The organometallic compound absorbs ultraviolet radiation in the wavelength range 210-260 nm, or in the wavelength range 290-330 nm, in the solid state if the compound exists as a solid at 25° C. or in the liquid state if the compound exists as a liquid at 25° C.

Abstract: A process for impregnating a porous material with a cross-linkable composition is disclosed. The degree of impregnation and placement of the cross-linkable composition within the pores of the porous material can be controlled very precisely through the use of a pressure differential. The pressure differential is effected through a nonreactive gas, a vacuum, or a combination thereof. Medical devices produced using such a method are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of coating a surface of a stent by contacting the stent with a coating solution containing a coating material, inserting a thread through the lumen of the stent, and producing relative motion between the stent and the thread to substantially remove coating material located within the openings of the stent. Eliminating or minimizing coating material located within the openings preserves the functionality of the stent. The method can be used to apply a primer layer, a polymer, either with or without a therapeutic agent, and/or a top layer on the stent.

Abstract: The method relates to a disposable device for the application of a coating (2) on a tablet, a capsule or a pill. The coating (2) is applied enclosing the tablet, capsule or pill (3) during its passage through a bowl formation (4) with a coating mass (5) and through an elastic diaphragm (12) located in the bottom (11) and provided with a centrally disposed, conveniently penetrable opening (13). During the passage of the tablet, capsule of pill (3) the opening (13) encloses the tablet, capsule or pill and simultaneously shapes a film of coating mass (5) thereon.