Abstract: An apparatus for electrostatically applying a powder material to substrates is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a plurality of platens, each platen being arranged to hold a plurality of substrates, wherein each platen comprises an electrically conducting platen base having a plurality of supports for supporting a plurality of substrates, an electrically conducting platen shield located on the platen base and having a plurality of holes arranged to align with the plurality of supports on the platen base, an insulating coating provided between the platen base and the platen shield, a conveyor for conveying the platens along a path, and an applicator for applying the powder material to the substrates.

Abstract: A method for the production of a capsule shell comprises preparing the capsule shell by electrostatic powder deposition. A plurality of capsule shells may be produced by a process comprising electrostatically applying a powder coating material to a plurality of shaped substrates, treating the powder to form a continuous coating layer on each of the shaped substrates, and removing the shaped coating layers from the substrate to provide hollow capsule shells. An apparatus for the production of a capsule shell includes a substrate, a source of charged powder material and a voltage source for applying a bias voltage between the source of powder material and the substrate to generate an electric field therebetween such that powder material is applied to the substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the coating of a surgical device, wherein the coating is carried out by electrostatic Powder deposition. The device may be a device used in a surgical or diagnostic procedure, including interventional devices as well as implantable devices. Because the coating is applied electrostatically, it is attracted to all parts of the device, not just those parts that are in the ‘line of sight’ of the spray, as is the case with conventional liquid spray coating. The process allows uniform and reproducible amounts to be deposited and thus drug-eluting coatings can be accurately applied to stents and other surgical devices, resulting in good control over drug release. Furthermore, drug-eluting coats can be applied in a single step, although multiple layers can easily be applied if desired to create a specific drug release profile.

Abstract: There is provided and apparatus and method for electrostatically applying a powder material to substrates. The apparatus includes a plurality of platens, each platen being arranged to hold a plurality of substrates, a conveyor for conveying the platens along a path and an applicator for applying the powder material to the substrates. The method includes the steps of placing the substrates on platens, each platen holding a plurality of substrates, conveying the platens in series along a path and electrostatically applying a powder material to the substrates held on the platens. There is also provided a platen for holding a plurality of substrates to which powder material is to be electrostatically applied, the platen comprising a platen base having a plurality of supports for supporting a plurality of substrates and an electrically conducting platen shield located on the platen base and having a plurality of holes arranged to align with the plurality of supports on the platen base.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a pattern on a solid dosage form, in which powder material is applied in a pattern to a substrate. A mask having an aperture is provided between a source of the powder material and the substrate and the powder material is applied to the substrate through the mask. Relative movement of the substrate with respect to the source of powder material is effected during the pattern application process.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrostatically applying a powder material to a solid dosage from includes a source (1) of charged powder material, a support assembly (2) for supporting the solid dosage form (3) with a front face in the vicinity of the source of powder material and facing the source of powder material, the support assembly (2) including an electrically conducting member (5) in the vicinity of the rear face of the solid dosage form and an electrically conducting shield (8) disposed closely around the solid dosage from (3) between the front face and the rear face of the solid dosage form, and means (4) for creating a potential difference between the source of powder material and the electrically conducting member and for maintaining the electrically conducting shield at a potential more similar to that of the source of powder material than to that of the electrically conducting member.