Abstract: The invention provides for a method of improving bioactivity of a surface of an implantable object. The invention also provides for a method of improving bioactivity of a surface of biological laboratory ware. The invention further provide a method of attaching cells to an object. The invention even further provides for a method of preparing an object for medical implantation. The invention also provides for an article with attached cells, and for an article for medical implantation.

Abstract: The invention provide for a method of improving bioactivity of a surface of an object. The invention further provides for a method of preparing an object for medical implantation. The invention even further provide for an article made by a method comprising the steps of forming a gas-cluster ion-beam in a reduced-pressure chamber, introducing the article into the reduced-pressure chamber, and irradiating at least a portion of the surface of the object with the gas-cluster ion-beam. The invention still further provides for an article for medical or surgical implantation made by a method comprising selecting at least a portion of a surface of the object for increased bioactivity, forming a gas-cluster ion-beam in a reduced-pressure chamber, introducing the object into the reduced-pressure chamber, and irradiating the selected at least a portion with the gas-cluster ion-beam to increase the bioactivity of the at least a portion.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing a biological material for implanting. The invention also provides a biological material for surgical implantation. The invention further provides a biological composition for surgical implantation.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for surgical grafting of a tissue. The method comprises the steps of explanting a graft tissue from a donor, irradiating at least a first portion of the graft tissue with an ion beam, and surgically grafting the graft tissue into a recipient.

Abstract: A medical device for surgical implantation adapted to serve as a drug delivery system has one or more drug loaded holes with barrier layers to control release or elution of the drug from the holes or to control inward diffusion of fluids into the holes. The barrier layers are non-polymers and are formed from the drug material itself by ion beam processing. The holes may be in patterns to spatially control drug delivery. Flexible options permit combinations of drugs, variable drug dose per hole, multiple drugs per hole, temporal control of drug release sequence and profile. Methods for forming such a drug delivery system are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for sterilization of objects by gas-cluster ion-beam (GCIB) irradiation are disclosed. The sterilization may be in conjunction with other beneficial GCIB surface processing of the objects. The objects may be medical devices or surgically implantable medical prostheses.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the improvement of a crystalline and/or poly-crystalline surgical blade include gas cluster ion beam irradiation of the blades in order to smooth; or to sharpen; or to reduce the brittleness and thus reduce susceptibility of the blade to crack, chip, or fracture; or to render the blades hydrophilic. Crystalline or poly-crystalline surgical blade (silicon for example) having a thin film cutting edge with improved properties.

Abstract: A multi-layer drug coated medical device such as for example an expandable vascular drug eluting stent is formed by vacuum pulse spray techniques wherein each layer is irradiated to improve adhesion and/or drug elution properties prior to formation of subsequent layers. Layers may be homogeneous or of diverse drugs. Layers may incorporate a non-polymer elution-retarding material. Layers may alternate with one or more layers of non-polymer elution-retarding materials. Polymer binders and/or matrices are not used in the formation of the coatings, yet the pure drug coatings have good mechanical and elution rate properties. Systems, methods and medical device articles are disclosed.

Abstract: Irradiation of a surface of a material with a gas cluster ion beam modifies the wettability of the surface. The wettability may be increased or decreased dependent on the characteristics of the gas cluster ion beam. Improvements in wettability of a surface by the invention exceed those obtained by conventional plasma cleaning or etching. The improvements may be applied to surfaces of medical devices, such as vascular stents for example, and may be used to enable better wetting of medical device surfaces with liquid drugs in preparation for adhesion of the drug to the device surfaces. A mask may be used to limit processing to a portion of the surface. Medical devices formed by using the methods of the invention are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing the adhesion of a diamond-like carbon (DLC) film to a substrate and for producing a strongly adhered DLC film on a substrate. The adhesion is enhanced by ion beam pre-processing of the substrate prior to DLC film formation.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the reduction of particulate material generation by workpiece handling components. Reduced levels of scratching, abrasion, wear and particulate generation are achieved by improved smoothing and flattening of the surface and, in a preferred embodiment, through the application of an ion beam assisted diamond-like-carbon film coating deposition.