Abstract: An urethral antimicrobial delivery device (1) comprising; a deformable reservoir (101) in fluid connection with an elongate member (102), the elongate member comprising a lumen, the elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate member having a plurality of pores (103) defined therein, said pores being distributed along a length of said elongate member, the elongate member being dimensioned for insertion through an external urethral orifice of a female subject, whereby the elongate member is insertable into a distal urethral cavity for delivery of an antimicrobial in said distal urethral cavity, and wherein the device comprises a collar (105) to prevent said elongate member entering a proximal urethral cavity.

Abstract: Plasma systems for depositing biomolecules, pharmaceutical agents, and other therapeutic active agents onto surfaces are described. The systems may include a plasma device having one or more electrodes, a gas supply inlet, a plasma outlet exposed to ambient pressure, and an ignition system operatively connected to the electrodes for providing a non-thermal equilibrium plasma within the plasma chamber. A particulate delivery system may be used to introduce the active agent(s) as a dry powder into or downstream of the plasma, and to deposit the plasma-treated active agent(s) to produce a coating on a surface. The coating may retain the activity of the active agent(s).

Abstract: A metal surface treatment method wherein the surface (10) is simultaneously bombarded with a mixture of abrasive particles (4) and dopant particles (6) which are delivered at a velocity in the range of 50-250 m/sec, and thereby depositing the dopant material on the surface. Also provided is an article (8) having a surface treated by such a method.

Abstract: Plasma systems for depositing biomolecules, pharmaceutical agents, and other therapeutic active agents onto surfaces are described. The systems may include a plasma device having one or more electrodes, a gas supply inlet, a plasma outlet exposed to ambient pressure, and an ignition system operatively connected to the electrodes for providing a non-thermal equilibrium plasma within the plasma chamber. A particulate delivery system may be used to introduce the active agent(s) as a dry powder into or downstream of the plasma, and to deposit the plasma-treated active agent(s) to produce a coating on a surface. The coating may retain the activity of the active agent(s).

Abstract: A metal surface treatment method wherein the surface (10) is simultaneously bombarded with a mixture of abrasive particles (4) and dopant particles (6) which are delivered at a velocity in the range of 50-250 m/sec, and thereby depositing the dopant material on the surface. Also provided is an article (8) having a surface treated by such a method.

Abstract: A method of treating a substrate, the method comprising: delivering substantially simultaneously a first set of particles comprising a dopant and a second set of particles comprising an abrasive from at least one fluid jet to a surface of the substrate, to impregnate the surface of the substrate with the dopant; wherein the dopant comprises a corrosion-inhibiting or adhesion-promoting species, such as to form a corrosion-inhibiting or adhesion-promoting coating at or on the surface of the substrate. Also provided is an article comprising a substrate having a corrosion-inhibiting or adhesion-promoting coating, the said coating comprising particles of a corrosion-inhibiting or adhesion-promoting species that impregnate the surface of the substrate (e.g. as produced by the above method).

Abstract: A plasma coating device for treating a wound comprises a plasma chamber having: one or more electrodes, a gas supply inlet, a plasma outlet exposed to ambient pressure, and an ignition system operatively connected to the electrodes for providing a non-thermal equilibrium plasma within the plasma chamber. An aerosol delivery system is operable to introduce a bioresorbable material as an aerosol into the plasma, to produce a coating on the wound surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for producing a coated substrate, including dissolving at least one biomolecule to form a solution; nebulizing the solution to form a liquid aerosol; combining the liquid aerosol and a plasma to form a coating; and depositing, in the absence of reactive monomers, the coating onto a substrate surface. In an aspect, the substrate can be an implantable medical device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for producing a coated substrate, including dissolving at least one biomolecule to form a solution; nebulizing the solution to form a liquid aerosol; combining the liquid aerosol and a plasma to form a coating; and depositing, in the absence of reactive monomers, the coating onto a substrate surface. In an aspect, the substrate can be an implantable medical device.

Abstract: The invention relates to strains of Talaromyces emersonii which are thermostable and encode thermostable enzymes. The enzymes retain activity at temperatures above 550 C. These strains and enzymes find use in a variety of processes from waste reduction to the production of novel food ingredients and the production of bio-fuels.