Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating, providing diffusion limited transport and evacuating gaseous phase material in a sub-atmospheric environment employing a molecular mobility enhancer (MME) component under reduced pressure to rapidly vaporize a liquid and/or solid, to transport generated vapor including a transport moiety into a diffusion processing zone and through diffusion restricted objects and to effectively evacuate non-consumed vapor from apparatus. Compositions, including solids, for delivery of MME-transport moiety vapor in a sub-atmospheric environment. Including those with improved storage and stability. Additionally, methods and apparatus for drying surfaces of articles in a sub-atmospheric environment. Compositions for generating a vapor in a sub-atmospheric environment for use in drying such articles. Methods and compositions herein useful for cleaning, sanitizing and sterilizing substrates, implements and devices including medical and electronic devices.

Abstract: Methods for generating a sterilant vapor in a sub-atmospheric environment for use in sanitization and sterilization. The vapor is generated from a mixture containing a sterilant and a molecular mobility enhancer (MME). More specifically, the use of the MME enhances the vaporization and mobility of the sterilant, particularly hydrogen peroxide and/or a peroxy acid, to provide enhanced or improved sterilization. Also provided are solid-form sterilant comprising a sterilant and an MME. Further provides are various packaged forms of sterilant, particularly containing hydrogen peroxide and/or a peroxy acid for use in sanitation and sterilization methods herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for rapid sterilization of items in a vacuum or sterilization chamber. Embodiments include conductively heated, vacuum-based sterilization approaches that can be applied to devices, such as medical devices, electronic devices, and other suitable devices. For example, an item that has been exposed to excessive contamination is placed inside the sterilization chamber. The chamber can be depressurized to a vacuum level sufficient to gasify liquids inside a solid matrix holding a liquid sterilant, and the item can be conductively heated at least to replace latent heat of vaporization lost during the depressurization. Some embodiments include techniques relating to quality processing, monitoring and feedback control, and/or other functionality.

Abstract: A sterilization system and method are provided that convert a sterilant solution to a vapor using an outgassing process that removes sterilant vapor from a solution (e.g., liquid) or a solid and delivers the sterilant vapor into an interior of an enclosure vessel. The interior of the enclosed vessel is maintained at a vacuum pressure. Once the sterilant vapor enters the interior of the vessel, the vapor expands to all surfaces to effectively sterilizing the interior of the vessel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for rapid sterilization of items in a vacuum or sterilization chamber. Embodiments include conductively heated, vacuum-based sterilization approaches that can be applied to devices, such as medical devices, electronic devices, and other suitable devices. For example, an item that has been exposed to excessive contamination is placed inside the sterilization chamber. The chamber can be depressurized to a vacuum level sufficient to gasify liquids inside a solid matrix holding a liquid sterilant, and the item can be conductively heated at least to replace latent heat of vaporization lost during the depressurization. Some embodiments include techniques relating to quality processing, monitoring and feedback control, and/or other functionality.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are described that involve the deposition of polymer coatings on substrates. The polymer coatings generally comprise an electrically insulating layer and/or a hydrophobic layer. The hydrophobic layer can comprise fused polymer particles have an average primary particle diameter on the nanometer to micrometer scale. The polymer coatings are deposited on substrates using specifically adapted plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition approaches. The substrates can include computing devices and fabrics.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are described that involve the deposition of coatings on substrates. The polymer coatings generally comprise a wear resistant layer and/or a hydrophobic layer. The wear resistant layer can comprise a metal oxide or metal nitride. The hydrophobic layer can comprise fused polymer particles having an average primary particle diameter on the nanometer to micrometer scale. The coatings are deposited on substrates using specifically adapted plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition and plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition approaches. The substrates can include computing devices and fabrics.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are described that involve the deposition of polymer coatings on substrates. The polymer coatings generally comprise an electrically insulating layer and/or a hydrophobic layer. The hydrophobic layer can comprise fused polymer particles have an average primary particle diameter on the nanometer to micrometer scale. The polymer coatings are deposited on substrates using specifically adapted plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition approaches. The substrates can include computing devices and fabrics.

Abstract: The invention relates to bioactive surface coatings deposited on selected substrates. Surface nanostructured film coatings deposited on most metal or nonmetal substrates to provide surfaces can be engineered to promote enhanced tissue/cell adhesion. Attached cells, including osteoblasts, fibroblasts and endothelial cells, retain viability and will readily differentiate and proliferate under appropriate conditions. Fibroblasts and endothelial cells exhibit good attachment and growth on most coated substrates, except on nano surfaced structured silicone.

Abstract: An automated irrigation and chemical treatment system comprising a user input device adapted to communicate with a control unit; a mixing chamber adapted to communicate with the control unit and connected to a water supply and chemical canisters, wherein each canister has a sensor to monitor fluid level therein, and control valves for connecting the mixing chamber to a network of pipes. Sprinkler heads connected to the network of pipes each include, a control valve adapted to control fluid flow to a water delivery nozzle by an electro magnet controlled rubber coated ferric ball closure member. The sprinkler heads include water and chemical saturation sensors and the sprinkler heads also communicate with the control unit via wireless transceivers. Multiple zones covered by the system may be treated according to predetermined schedules.

Abstract: Improved radiopaque coatings particularly suitable for polymer substrates are described. A modified ion plasma deposition (IPD) method is used to provide coatings with macroparticle-dense surfaces that have excellent radiopacity. The coatings are particularly adapted to polymer surfaces because of high adherence and resistance to peeling and flaking.

Abstract: The invention is directed to efficient methods for depositing highly adherent anti-microbial materials onto a wide range of surfaces. A controlled cathodic arc process is described, which results in enhanced adhesion of silver oxide to polymers and other surfaces, such as surfaces of medical devices. Deposition of anti-microbial materials directly onto the substrates is possible in a cost-effective manner that maintains high anti-microbial activity over several weeks when the coated devices are employed in vivo.