Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using the same. An example medical device includes a slotted tubular member and a coating disposed over the tubular member. The coating may define one or more coating gaps therein.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for manufacturing and using medical devices. An example medical device includes a core member, a tubular member coupled to the core member, and a tip member coupled to the tubular member. The tubular member may have a plurality of slots formed therein. The tip member may include a polymeric material. An intermediate member may be disposed between the tubular member and the core member that aids the bonding of the tip member thereto.

Abstract: A method of producing a green form for use in manufacturing a composite, ceramic ion transport membrane is provided in which first and second ceramic powder mixtures are used to produce first and second layers of the green form. The first and second ceramic powder mixtures have ceramic particles and a pore former. After formation of each of the first and second layers or after formation of the second layer, heat is applied to burn out the binder and form pores. This heating is completed prior to application of a dense layer to prevent production of defects within the dense layer. The dense layer contains an ion transport material. Defects are also prevented by grading particle size from the first layer to the dense layer. This allows the second intermediate layer to fill in larger pores of the first layer and to present a smooth surface to the dense layer. Additionally, the second ceramic powder mixture contains in part material used in forming the dense layer for thermal expansion compatibility purposes.

Abstract: A medical device with a corrugated shaping ribbon is provided. The corrugated shaping ribbon allows for the medical device, which may be provided in the form of a guide wire or catheter, specifically a crossing guide wire or catheter, to more easily navigate through the sometimes tortuous pathways of body lumens. In addition, the corrugations effectively provide a mechanism by which energy can be stored as the distal tip of the medical device engages a lesion or other area of occlusion within a blood vessel. By storing such energy and continuing to apply force, eventually the distal tip extends thereby releasing the stored energy and allowing the distal tip to advance or cross through the lesion.

Abstract: A composite oxygen ion transport element that has a layered structure formed by a dense layer to transport oxygen ions and electrons and a porous support layer to provide mechanical support. The dense layer can be formed of a mixture of a mixed conductor, an ionic conductor, and a metal. The porous support layer can be fabricated from an oxide dispersion strengthened metal, a metal-reinforced intermetallic alloy, a boron-doped Mo5Si3-based intermetallic alloy or combinations thereof. The support layer can be provided with a network of non-interconnected pores and each of said pores communicates between opposite surfaces of said support layer. Such a support layer can be advantageously employed to reduce diffusion resistance in any type of element, including those using a different material makeup than that outlined above.

Abstract: A method of making an electrolytic cell in which an electrolyte layer of an intermediate sintered form is coated with a pre-coat layer containing electrically non-conductive particles of less than about one-tenth of a micron in size to fill in defects existing within the electrolyte layer. The pre-coat layer is removed so that the electrically non-conductive particles remain within the defects of the electrolyte layer. The cathode layer is then applied to the electrolyte layer with the electrically non-conductive particles in place within the defects. The intermediate sintered form is fired with the applied cathode layer to produce the electrolytic cell.

Abstract: A method of making an electrolytic cell in which an electrolyte layer of an intermediate sintered form is coated with a pre-coat layer containing electrically non-conductive particles of less than about one-tenth of a micron in size to fill in defects existing within the electrolyte layer. The pre-coat layer is removed so that the electrically non-conductive particles remain within the defects of the electrolyte layer. The cathode layer is then applied to the electrolyte layer with the electrically non-conductive particles in place within the defects. The intermediate sintered form is fired with the applied cathode layer to produce the electrolytic cell.

Abstract: A composite oxygen ion transport element that has a layered structure formed by a dense layer to transport oxygen ions and electrons and a porous support layer to provide mechanical support. The dense layer can be formed of a mixture of a mixed conductor, an ionic conductor, and a metal. The porous support layer can be fabricated from an oxide dispersion strengthened metal, a metal-reinforced intermetallic alloy, a boron-doped Mo5Si3-based intermetallic alloy or combinations thereof. The support layer can be provided with a network of non-interconnected pores and each of said pores communicates between opposite surfaces of said support layer. Such a support layer can be advantageously employed to reduce diffusion resistance in any type of element, including those using a different material makeup than that outlined above.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrolytic cell in which an intermediate sintered form is produced that comprises a porous anode layer and an electrolyte layer having a prespecified shape of the electrolytic cell. The electrolyte layer has defects extending through the electrolyte layer. A substance by way of a pressure, a solvent, particle suspended in a solvent or particles introduced by way of thermal spray are introduced into defects within the electrolyte layer. Thereafter, a green cathode layer is applied to the electrolyte layer while the substance is in place, within the defects. The intermediate sintered form with the applied green cathode layer is then fired to produce the electrolytic cell.

Abstract: A wall construction for an electrolytic cell to separate oxygen from an oxygen containing gas in which an electrolyte layer of less than 200 microns and a cathode layer of less than 500 microns are supported by an anode that can have a sufficient thickness to also contain the separated oxygen at pressure. The cathode is formed from the same material as the electrolyte and also a noble metal or noble metal alloy and a mixed conductor. The cathode contains a sufficient amount of the noble metal or noble metal allow and the mixed conductor that the total resistance thereof is not greater than about 70 percent of the total resistance of the anode and the cathode. In a preferred embodiment, first and second porous interfacial layers are situated between an anode layer and the electrolyte and the electrolyte and a cathode layer, respectively.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite structure for an ion transport membrane in which a filler substance is applied to one surface of a porous support layer in order to plug pores and prevent coated ion conducting material from penetrating the pores to reduce the amount of gas diffusion. Prior to coating of the surface with layers that may be oxygen ion conducting layers, excess filler substance is removed. After the coating of the one surface, the filler substance is removed from pores.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrolytic cell in which an intermediate sintered form is produced that comprises a porous anode layer and an electrolyte layer having a prespecified shape of the electrolytic cell. The electrolyte layer has defects extending through the electrolyte layer. A substance by way of a pressure, a solvent, particle suspended in a solvent or particles introduced by way of thermal spray are introduced into defects within the electrolyte layer. Thereafter, a green cathode layer is applied to the electrolyte layer while the substance is in place, within the defects. The intermediate sintered form with the applied green cathode layer is then fired to produce the electrolytic cell.

Abstract: A method of producing a green form for use in manufacturing a composite, ceramic ion transport membrane is provided in which first and second ceramic powder mixtures are used to produce first and second layers of the green form. The first and second ceramic powder mixtures have ceramic particles and a pore former. After formation of each of the first and second layers or after formation of the second layer, heat is applied to burn out the binder and form pores. This heating is completed prior to application of a dense layer to prevent production of defects within the dense layer. The dense layer contains an ion transport material. Defects are also prevented by grading particle size from the first layer to the dense layer. This allows the second intermediate layer to fill in larger pores of the first layer and to present a smooth surface to the dense layer. Additionally, the second ceramic powder mixture contains in part material used in forming the dense layer for thermal expansion compatibility purposes.

Abstract: A wall construction for an electrolytic cell to separate oxygen from an oxygen containing gas in which an electrolyte layer of less than 200 microns and a cathode layer of less than 500 microns are supported by an anode that can have a sufficient thickness to also contain the separated oxygen at pressure. The cathode is formed from the same material as the electrolyte and also a noble metal or noble metal alloy and a mixed conductor. The cathode contains a sufficient amount of the noble metal or noble metal allow and the mixed conductor that the total resistance thereof is not greater than about 70 percent of the total resistance of the anode and the cathode. In a preferred embodiment, first and second porous interfacial layers are situated between an anode layer and the electrolyte and the electrolyte and a cathode layer, respectively.

Abstract: Oxygen and hydrogen transport membranes fabricated by plasma spray deposition of a micro-crack-free coating on a substrate. Also disclosed is a multi-layer composite comprising a dense or porous substrate coated with a coating provided by supersonic plasma spray deposition. Also disclosed is subsonic plasma spray deposition of single phase or dual phase nanocrystalline particles to form a crack-free oxygen transport membrane on a substrate.

Abstract: A method of making a porous, green form for use in producing at least part of an article that can be an oxygen transport membrane. A green powder, a binding agent, and first and second pore forming, particulate materials are mixed together. The first and second pore forming, particulate materials have first and second particle sizes such that the first particle size is greater than the second particle size. The difference in pore forming particle sizes allows for the production of large pores and channels connecting the pores in the finished article or part thereof. Advantageously, the first pore forming material is a sublimable material such as naphthalene. The mixture is formed into a configuration suitable for the use within the article, for instance a tube formed by extrusion. The first pore forming material is removed to form the pores. The oxygen transport membrane can have a dense layer supported by one or more porous support layers formed by a green form of the present invention.