Abstract: A flexible, continuous, axially elastic interstitial brachytherapy source is capable of elongating, shrinking and/or flexing in response to changes in the size and/or shape of a tumor, tumor bed, lesion or other tissue with which the source is in contact. In one embodiment, the source is in the form of a wire coil. The flexible and expandable/contractible nature of the source allows it to provide therapeutically effective treatment to dynamic tissue as it swells, shrinks and/or changes in shape.

Abstract: A synovial prosthetic member includes a body having an articulating surface and an anchor surface, the articulating surface being configured for articulation with another articulating surface of a synovial joint, the anchor surface being configured for cementing to bone, the body being composed of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), the anchor surface having been subjected to treatment by either ion implantation, ion beam assisted deposition, or sputter deposition.

Abstract: A synovial prosthetic member includes a body having an articulating surface and an anchor surface, the articulating surface being configured for articulation with another articulating surface of a synovial joint, the anchor surface being configured for cementing to bone, the body being composed of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), the anchor surface having been subjected to treatment by either ion implantation, ion beam assisted deposition, or sputter deposition.

Abstract: Catheters including at least one component having a tissue interfacing surface characterized by a substantially nonleaching surface treatment of antimicrobial metal. The component can be a subcutaneous cuff, and the antimicrobial metal can be silver. The process for implanting the silver atoms can include dry coating the tissue interfacing surface of the catheter by way of ion beam assisted deposition. Alternatively, the silver can be introduced into the tissue interfacing surface by ion implantation.

Abstract: A modular ion beam assisted continuous coating apparatus and method for a wide range of materials and the products so made are disclosed. The materials include metals, such as all kinds of steels and the like in sheet, wire, tubing and rod forms, and plastics, such as all kinds of polymers again in sheet, wire, tubing and rod forms. The coatings on the materials are intended to improve their wear, corrosion and/or oxidation resistance as well as to enhance their aesthetic appearance. The coatings essentially include metals such as aluminum, chromium, cadmium, tin, zinc, iron, platinum, nickel, silver, gold, etc., and ceramics such as ZrO.sub.2, SiO.sub.2, Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, TiN and Si.sub.3 N.sub.4. The modular continuous coating apparatus essentially is divided into four stages a vacuum entry stage, a material pre-cleaning stage, an ion beam assisted coating stage, and a vacuum exit stage.