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.

Systems and methods for controlling the temperature of liquid coatings discharged from air pressurized spray pots and the like are described. The non-electrical temperature-controlled systems rely on the pressurization and expansion of air and/or other gases to lower or increase the temperature of the sprayed liquid coating. The system includes cooling coils surrounding a pressurized spray pot contained within an insulated enclosure. Pressurized ambient air is passed through a cooling vortex cylinder before passing into the cooling coils. The cooled air preferably then passes into an insulated envelope surrounding the discharge lines to the spray gun. An optional system structure adds a second cooling vortex cylinder to reduce the temperature of the pressurized air in a second flow line that serves to pressurize the spray pot and to pass to the spray gun parallel to the cooled liquid line.

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.

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.

An apparatus and system that efficiently and effectively delivers a sanitizing fluid to ducts in the form of a fog or mist is described. A canister that contains a liquid sanitizing solution is attached to a compressor and includes a straw that has an internal passageway that extends into the liquid and a venturi tube above the level of the liquid that connects with the internal passageway in the straw. The headspace above the liquid in the canister is pressurized, causing fluid to flow upwardly in the straw when a trigger is depressed, drawing fluid upwardly in part by the venturi. As the liquid passes the venturi the pressurized air that is flowing into the venturi causes the fluid to form a fine mist. The mist, under pressure from the compressor, is routed into a flexible delivery tube that has been previously positioned in a duct system. The terminal end of the tube has an atomizing ball attached thereto and the atomizing ball has a series of orifices through which the misted, atomized fluid is delivered. As fogged sanitizing solution flows through the orifices it is deposited on the interior surfaces of the duct. The delivery tube and the attached atomizing ball are withdrawn from the duct as the sanitizing fog is emitted from the ball. The fan in the HVAC system is not activated so there is no deliver of the sanitizer through registers and into the living space. The apparatus and method may be used to apply other fluids to other surfaces.

A water dispersing system (WDS) that allows a selectable quantity of water to be dispersed into an environment. The WDS utilizes a fan and a water supply assembly. The fan has a frame inside of which are two rotating blades, and preferably a stand. The water supply assembly includes a reservoir, a water tube, and a water dispersing head. Water is gravity fed from the reservoir, through the water tube and out of the head. Water from the head is directed into the first fan's rotating blades. Once the water hits the blades, the water is re-directed back out through a front grill on the fan. The second fan blades project air outward. The amount of water that comes from the WDS can be selectably chosen, from a light mist to a heavier spray, and the temperature of the water can be lowered by placing ice into the reservoir with the water. An excess water basin catches any water that drips downward from the blades.

An embodiment includes a coating apparatus comprising: a support unit for supporting a coating object; and a spray assembly for spraying a fluid which includes a coating material to be coated by the coating object supported on the support unit. The spray assembly comprises: a nozzle unit where the fluid is sprayed; and a fluid supply unit for supplying the fluid to the nozzle unit. The nozzle unit comprises: a body including a passageway for the fluid therein and a dielectric unit provided with a dielectric material; and a plasma source for generating plasma from the fluid which flows to an area adjacent to inner lateral surface of the dielectric unit. The plasma source comprises: a power electrode applying a power; and a ground electrode to be grounded.

A material deposition device includes a solution supply component, a gas supply component, and a co-axial discharge mechanism. The co-axial discharge mechanism includes a solution discharge mechanism, and a gas discharge mechanism co-axial with the solution discharge mechanism. The material deposition device further includes an alignment component that aligns the solution discharge mechanism in a center of the gas discharge mechanism; and an orifice plate with a number of turbulence inducing structures that induce turbulence in gas exiting the gas discharge mechanism.

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.

A thermal sprayer system includes an injector conduit in communication with an injector and a first valve for selectively directing a coating fluid through the injector conduit. A flush fluid conduit is in communication with the injector conduit for directing a flush fluid through the injector conduit. A pressurized air conduit is in communication with the injector conduit for directing a pressurized fluid through the injector conduit.