Abstract: A method of performing percutaneous interbody spinal fusion on adjacent vertebrae in a patient including the steps of: creating a percutaneous access opening on the patient, using indirect visualization to establish a surgical path through the access opening, creating a cavity in a disc space between the adjacent vertebra, without retraction, inserting an expandable implant into the cavity, the implant configured to fit through the access opening into the cavity, and expanding the implant within the cavity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a versatile method to produce superhydrophobic surfaces by combining electrospinning and initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD). A wide variety of surfaces, including electrospun polyester fibers, may be coated by the inventive method. In one embodiment, poly(caprolactone) (PCL) was electrospun and then coated by iCVD with a thin layer of hydrophobic polymerized perfluoroalkyl ethyl methacrylate (PPFEMA). In certain embodiments said coated surfaces exhibit water contact angles of above 150 degrees, oleophobicities of at least Grade-8 and sliding angles of less than 12 degrees (for a water droplet of about 20 mg).

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to an all-dry encapsulation method that enables well-defined polymers to be applied around particles of sizes down to the nanoscale. In certain embodiments, the methods are modified forms of initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) using a thermally-initiated radical polymerization to create conformal coatings around individual particles while avoiding agglomeration. The present invention also enables the coating of particle surfaces with a range of functional groups via direct incorporation of the functionality into the monomers used or indirectly through a subsequent modification of the surface of a coated particle. In certain embodiments, the method produces high quality functional polymer coatings.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, iCVD is used to form linear thin films using a radical initiator and an alkene. In another embodiment, iCVD is used to form crosslinked thin films by the addition of a crosslinking agent (e.g., a diacrylate or a dimethyacrylate). The incorporation of a crosslinking agent into the thin films is shown to increase systematically with its partial pressure. In one embodiment, when the crosslinker is EDGA and the monomer is HEMA it results in crosslinked P(HEMA-co-EGDA) copolymer. In another embodiment, when the crosslinker is EDGA and the monomer is VP, it results in crosslinked P(VP-co-EGDA). Disclosed are the effects of crosslinker incorporation on the thermal and the wetting properties of the polymers. The unique swelling properties of these films are also described; certain films of the present invention are hydrogels when soaked in water.

Abstract: Remarkably, disclosed herein is a solvent-less chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method for the oxidative polymerization and deposition of thin films of electrically-conducting polymers. In a preferred embodiment, the method provides poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) thin films. In other embodiments, the method is applicable to polymerization to give other conducting polymers, such as polyanilines, polypyrroles, polythiophenes and their derivatives. The all-vapor technique uses a moderate substrate temperature, making it compatible with a range of materials, including as fabric and paper. In addition, this method allows for the coating of high surface-area substrates with fibrous, porous and/or particulate morphologies. The coated substrates may be used in organic semiconductor devices, including organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), photovoltaics, electrochromics, and supercapacitors.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is directed to antimicrobial surfaces comprised of hydrocarbon polymers with significant hydrophobic character which also contain an amino group with a pKa greater than or equal to about 8. In certain embodiments initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) is used to coat a surface with an antimicrobial polymer.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method for modifying one side of a PTFE membrane by using HFCVD to deposit a PTFE film on one side of the PTFE membrane. The precursor fluorocarbon gas is preferably hexafluoropropylene oxide, which upon pyrolysis under HFCVD conditions forms reactive CF2 species. The present invention also relates to a modified PTFE membrane having a PTFE film on only one side, wherein the PTFE film has a porosity of greater than about 30% and a dangling bond density of less than about 1018 spins/cm3. The invention further provides a method of filtering a liquid or gas or a mixture of the two, comprising passing the liquid or gas or mixture of the two through the modified PTFE membrane of the present invention.

Abstract: An optical structure includes a substrate having two side surfaces. A first layer of high refractive index material is formed on the substrate. A sacrificial layer is formed on the first layer. A second layer of high refractive index material is formed on the sacrificial layer. At a predefined temperature the sacrificial layer is evaporated, thus forming an air gap between the first layer and the second layer.