Abstract: This invention relates to medical articles, such as a syringe assemblies, including a substrate having a coating on a surface thereof, the coating including: (1) at least one organopolysiloxane and (2) a deposition product applied to the at least one organopolysiloxane by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition of a composition including at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of N-vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl acetate, ethylene oxide, alkyl acrylate, alkyl methacrylate, acrylamide, acrylic acid, and mixtures thereof, and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: This invention relates to medical articles, such as a syringe assemblies, including a substrate having a coating on a surface thereof, the coating including: (1) at least one organopolysiloxane and (2) a deposition product applied to the at least one organopolysiloxane by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition of a composition including at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of N-vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl acetate, ethylene oxide, alkyl acrylate, alkyl methacrylate, acrylamide, acrylic acid, and mixtures thereof, and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: An electronic gaming device having a plurality of games available for selection by a user allows selection of multiple games for concurrent play. One or more of the multiple games selected by the user in turn are utilized to create composite pay tables. These selection-dependant pay tables in turn provide the basis for additional betting opportunities for the user. The networking of multiple electronic gaming devices having the concurrent play feature provides multiple users with the betting opportunities embodied in these composite pay tables.

Abstract: An implantable medical device in the form of a cardiac stimulation device such as a pacemaker or defibrillator includes a hermetically sealed housing having an inner peripheral surface, an electronic component such as an integrated electrical circuit sensitive to bombardment by alpha particles and located within the housing spaced from the inner peripheral surface, and blocking material intermediate the inner peripheral surface of the housing and the electronic component capable of suppressing alpha particles having an energy level up to about 15 mev directed towards the electronic component. The blocking material has a thickness of at least 0.010 inches; it may be sheet material; it may be congruently attached to the inner peripheral surface of the housing; or it may be a liquid coating applied to the inner peripheral surface and subsequently cured.

Abstract: An electronic gaming device having a plurality of games available for selection by a user allows selection of multiple games for concurrent play. One or more of the multiple games selected by the user in turn are utilized to create composite pay tables. These selection-dependant pay tables in turn provide the basis for additional betting opportunities for the user. The networking of multiple electronic gaming devices having the concurrent play feature provides multiple users with the betting opportunities embodied in these composite pay tables.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for use in a Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) process whereby a coating of inorganic material is deposited on three-dimensional articles, including low melting temperature polymer articles. The coating possesses excellent gas and/or water vapor barrier properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) process whereby a coating of inorganic material is deposited on three-dimensional articles, including low melting temperature polymer articles. The coating possesses excellent gas and/or water vapor barrier properties.

Abstract: In a method to modify the chemistry of a portion of the surface of an article, the surface is placed adjacent an electrode in a plasma chamber, the distance to the wall of the chamber being at least five times the size of the electrode. A plasma of very high power density is generated in a discharge volume surrounding the electrode so that the surface area closest to the electrode receives a very intense plasma which diminishes with increasing distance from the discharge volume thus forming a chemical gradient on the article surface. The preferred article is a tube having one closed end, and the gradient may be formed from either the closed end or the open end. The gradient may be of decreasing glass-like character or decreasing plastic-like character.

Abstract: An article having surfaces in sliding contact is lubricated at the interface with a multi component system. A first crosslinked basement lubricant is coated onto a surface, such as a syringe barrel. A second lubricant is coated over the crosslinked lubricant. The second surface, such as a syringe stopper is engaged with the first surface. A second aspect of the invention is a method for lubricating an article such as a syringe. A low viscosity prebasement lubricant is evenly coated onto the inside surface of the syringe barrel and then crosslinked by a plasma to a viscous liquid or substantially solid basement lubricant. A second surface lubricant is then applied over the basement lubricant.

Abstract: In a method to modify the chemistry of a portion of the surface of an article, the surface is placed adjacent an electrode in a plasma chamber, the distance to the wall of the chamber being at least five times the size of the electrode. A plasma of very high power density is generated in a discharge volume surrounding the electrode so that the surface area closest to the electrode receives a very intense plasma which diminishes with increasing distance from the discharge volume thus forming a chemical gradient on the article surface. The preferred article is a tube having one closed end, and the gradient may be formed from either the closed end or the open end. The gradient may be of decreasing glass-like character or decreasing plastic like character.

Abstract: A blood collection assembly includes a plasma-treated blood collection container and a blood collector which optionally may also be plasma-treated. The collector has a body portion providing a blood passageway between the container and a scoop shaped portion which contacts a puncture wound. A vent in the collector allows air displacement from the container when blood enters. The inside wall of the container has longitudinal ribs molded thereon and an altered surface chemistry characterized by an enhanced oxygen content. The invention includes a method to increase blood flow across the interior surface of a plastic blood collection container comprising plasma treatment of the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a plasma in the lumen of a small diameter tube includes a housing having a diaphragm which separates the housing into a first chamber equipped with a gas inbleed assembly and a second chamber connected to a vacuum source. Parallel plate electrodes in the first chamber are encased in a dielectric which prevents substantially all plasma discharge external of a plasma zone between the electrodes. A conduit maintains gas flow between the chambers. A bore through the dielectric includes the plasma zone and receives the tube to be plasma treated.A method for treating the luminal wall of a plastic tube includes positioning a tube in the plasma zone, evacuating the chambers, bleeding a gas into the chambers, and delivering radiofrequency power to the electrodes. A long tube may be drawn through the plasma zone, or the dielectric and electrodes may be moved past the tube.

Abstract: Small diameter plastic tubing is plasma-treated on the lumen wall and endothelial cells are adhered thereto to give antithrombogenic small diameter conduits useful for vascular grafts and other articles intended to come in contact with blood.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a plasma in the lumen of a small diameter tube includes a housing having a diaphragm which separates the housing into a first chamber equipped with a gas inbleed assembly and a second chamber connected to a vacuum source. Parallel plate electrodes in the first chamber are encased in a dielectric which prevents substantially all plasma discharge external of a plasma zone between the electrodes. A conduit maintains gas flow between the chambers. A bore through the dielectric includes the plasma zone and receives the tube to be plasma treated.A method for treating the luminal wall of a plastic tube includes positioning a tube in the plasma zone, evacuating the chambers, bleeding a gas into the chambers, and delivering radiofrequency power to the electrodes. A long tube may be drawn through the plasma zone, or the dielectric and electrodes may be moved past the tube.

Abstract: A method to reduce high breakout and sustaining forces between slidable surfaces includes applying a film of lubricant to at least one of the surfaces and subjecting the lubricant and surface to an ionizing plasma. The invention includes articles having slidable surfaces of low breakout and sustaining forces.

Abstract: A method to reduce high breakout and sustaining forces between slidable surfaces includes applying a film of lubricant to at least one of the surfaces and subjecting the lubricant and surface to an ionizing plasma. The invention includes articles having slidable surfaces of low breakout and sustaining forces.

Abstract: A method for providing specific chemical functional groups on a substrate surface is provided. In the method a vaporized material is introduced into a reaction zone to produce a plasma. Selective species of the plasma are prevented from contacting the substrate surface while the remaining species are contacted with the substrate.