Abstract: A pump for pumping sensitive fluids, such as blood, having no mechanical contact between the impeller and any other structure. The pump comprises a pump housing, an impeller disposed within the pump housing, a magnetic bearing system for supporting and stabilizing the impeller in five degrees of freedom, and a conformally shaped magnetically linked motor for rotating the impeller. The magnetic bearing system and motor advantageously comprise electromagnets and permanent magnets for stability and control of the impeller, and to reduce size, weight, and pump power consumption. Permanent and electromagnets are disposed on the pump housing and permanent magnets are disposed on the impeller such that by controlling electric current through the electromagnets on the housing, the magnetically suspended impeller functions as the rotor, and the housing as the stator of a D.C. motor.

Abstract: A conductive, non-stick coating is provided using a ceramic material which is conductive, flexible and provides a surface which exhibits the property of lubricity. A room or near room temperature manufacturing process produces a coating of titanium nitride on a substrate, where the coating is amorphous if the substrate is a solid material including plastics, composites, metals, magnets, and ceramics, enabling the substrate to bend without damaging the coating. The coating can also be applied as a conformal coating on a variety of substrate shapes, depending upon the application. The coating is bio-compatible and can be applied to a variety of medical devices.

Abstract: A conductive, non-stick coating is provided using a ceramic material which is conductive, flexible and provides a surface which exhibits the property of lubricity. A room or near room temperature manufacturing process produces a coating of titanium nitride on a substrate, where the coating is amorphous if the substrate is a solid material including plastics, composites, metals, magnets, and ceramics, enabling the substrate to bend without damaging the coating. The coating can also be applied as a conformal coating on a variety of substrate shapes, depending upon the application. The coating is bio-compatible and can be applied to a variety of medical devices.

Abstract: An electrosurgical blade is provided having a ceramic coating which is conductive, flexible and provides a surface which inhibits the build up of charred tissue. These properties enable the electrosurgical blade to deliver controlled amounts of radio-frequency energy to tissue. The manufacturing process produces a coating of titanium nitride on a stainless steel blade which is amorphous, enabling the electrosurgical blade to bend with the blade in order to perform a wide variety of surgical procedures without damaging the coating. The electrosurgical blade can therefore be used to efficiently cut, coagulate, fulgurate and desiccate tissue. While the blade is primarily used in the monopolar mode, the present invention also encompasses at least two electrosurgical electrodes having the same ceramic coating as the electrosurgical blade, and used in the bipolar mode for coagulation. The coating can be applied on a variety of shapes of electrocautery instruments.