Abstract: Flexible elongate devices and methods include an articulable body portion and a control structure attached with one or more pull wires that control articulation of the articulable body portion. The control structure includes a metallic material that defines a sealing surface functionalized by a primer. A polymer material disposed onto the sealing surface of the control structure creates a seal between the control structure and polymer material. Flexible elongate devices and methods also include a control structure and a pull wire configured to control articulation of the flexible elongate device. The control structure includes a plurality of control segments stacked along a longitudinal axis, where each of the control segments define a pull wire aperture, where pull wire apertures of adjacent control segments are offset relative to one another, such that a portion of the pull wire extending through the pull wire apertures has a non-linear shape.

Abstract: Metallic stents are treated with a gaseous species in a plasma state under conditions causing the species to polymerize and to be deposited in polymerized form on the metallic stent surface prior to the application of a drug-polymer mixture, which is done by conventional non-plasma deposition methods. The drug-polymer mixture once applied forms a coating on the stent surface that releases the drug in a time-release manner and gradually erodes, leaving only the underlying plasma-deposited polymer. In certain cases, the plasma-deposited polymer itself erodes or dissolves into the physiological medium over an extended period of time, leaving only the metallic stent. While the various polymers and drug remain on the stent, the plasma-deposited polymer enhances the adhesion of the drug-polymer anchor coating and maintains the coating intact upon exposure to the mechanical stresses encountered during stent deployment.

Abstract: A plasma process modifies substrates for use in probe microscopy of biomolecules. Substrates prepared using the process feature low surface roughness, strong attachment of biomolecules to their surface and long storage time. The process may be performed in batch mode.