Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for processing a powder alloy to improve its microstructure. The methods for processing the powder alloy can include introducing the powder alloy into a powder vessel having an inert atmosphere, uniformly heat treating the powder alloy inside the powder vessel at its solutionizing temperature, and cooling the heat treated powder alloy at a rate of at least 5 C./s to form treated particles. The treated particles obtained from the methods and apparatuses disclosed herein can be used in any suitable manufacturing process, such as in cold gas dynamic spray.

An aerated wax application assembly comprises a meltable wax applicator, one or more meltable wax delivery conduits having a first end coupled to the meltable wax inlet of the meltable wax applicator and a second end positioned proximate a meltable wax holding tank, and an air injection system positioned upstream from the meltable wax applicator and configured to inject air into the meltable wax and generate the aerated meltable wax upstream of the inlet of the meltable wax applicator. A method of applying an aerated meltable wax onto an object comprises injecting air into a meltable wax such that it forms an aerated meltable wax, delivering the aerated wax through one or more meltable wax delivery conduits to a meltable wax applicator, and contacting at least one exposed surface of the object with the aerated wax when dispensing the aerated meltable wax from an outlet of the meltable wax applicator.

Novel, lubricious coatings for medical devices are disclosed. The coatings provide improved lubricity and durability and are readily applied in coating processes a low temperatures that do not deform the device. The present invention is also directed to a novel platinum catalyst for use in such coatings. The catalyst provides for rapid curing, while inhibiting cross-linking at ambient temperatures, thereby improving the production pot life of the coatings.

The present disclosure provides a coating apparatus and method for applying a coating of a therapeutic agent, comprising an openable and sealable device compartment, a therapeutic agent positioned in communication with the device compartment, a thermal source for vaporizing the therapeutic agent, and a vacuum source in fluid communication with the device compartment.

A disposable coating applicator container for applying a coating of a therapeutic agent upon an object to be coated. The disposable coating applicator container includes a sealable container, the sealable container having a container bottom, the container bottom having upwardly extending walls, each upwardly extending wall terminating in an upper edge, and a closure for sealing a device compartment formed in part by the upwardly extending walls, the closure adjacent to the upper edges of the upwardly extending walls; and a therapeutic agent positioned in fluid communication with the device compartment, wherein the disposable coating applicator container comprises a flexible material and is in the form of a bag-like structure.

The present disclosure provides a coating applicator operable to apply a coating of a therapeutic agent upon an object comprising an openable and sealable device compartment, a therapeutic agent positioned in communication with the device compartment, an atomizer operable to atomize the therapeutic agent, and a source of vacuum in communication with the device compartment. The coating applicator may further comprise a drier, and the drier may comprise an arrangement to operate the source of vacuum for a time sufficient to promote drying of applied therapeutic agent. Deposition of the atomized therapeutic agent may be promoted by contacting the atomized therapeutic agent while the object is in a chilled condition and by contacting the object with atomized therapeutic agent while the atomized therapeutic agent is in a heated condition. Related methods are also disclosed.

Novel, lubricious antimicrobial coatings for medical devices are disclosed. The coatings provide improved lubricity and durability and are readily applied in coating processes at low temperatures that do not deform the device and preserves the antimicrobial effectiveness of the antimicrobial agent. The present invention is also directed to a novel platinum catalyst for use in such coatings. The catalyst provides for rapid curing, while inhibiting cross-linking at ambient temperatures, thereby improving the production pot life of the coatings.

A distribution system for delivering preheated epoxy material for spray application includes a bundle of lines that terminate on their far end in a manifold. The distribution system is uniquely constructed in a manner such that it delivers the correct materials individually to the manifold while maintaining separate flows of the materials. This separation of the materials until ready for spraying prevents mixing of the two-part epoxy which at the elevated delivery temperatures would result in early curing of the epoxy within the delivery system itself. The bundle of lines contains at least one and preferably two base epoxy delivery lines, at least one catalyst delivery line, at least one heating circuit and an auxiliary heater at the manifold end. The manifold terminates in a static mixer that in turn delivers the mixed epoxy to a spray head for spray application to the substrate.

A light beam emission system includes a blower that forms a flow path in which aerosol flows, an emitter that emits a laser beam, and a light guide that guides the laser beam to the flow path in which the aerosol flows. The light guide is hollow, and at least a part of the laser beam passing through the light guide and guided to the flow path propagates along the flow path of the aerosol.

A retaining system for a solenoid assembly of a liquid adhesive dispensing system includes a quick-release mechanism configured to secure the solenoid assembly in place. The quick-release mechanism engages an air tube of the solenoid and thereby secures the entire solenoid assembly to a manifold. The quick-release mechanism can release the solenoid, facilitating easy removal of the entire solenoid assembly, by a simple turning, pushing, or pulling action on the quick-release mechanism. The released solenoid can then be removed and replaced, thereby minimizing downtime caused due to the replacement of a faulty solenoid.