An electrode-supporting assembly for a contact-start plasma arc torch has an insulator that partially houses an electrode, and employs a spring-loaded plunger to bias the electrode to a forward position. The spring is engaged between the plunger and a contact element attached to the insulator, and may conduct electrical current to the electrode. The plunger, spring, and contact element are retained in the insulator when the torch is opened to replace the electrode, which is a consumable part. The electrode and the plunger have axially-engagable mating surfaces to assure good thermal and electrical conductivity therebetween. Conductivity can be further enhanced by forming the plunger of silver or a silver-bearing alloy. In some embodiments, a passage through the insulator is partitioned into forward and rear chambers, with the plunger, spring, and contact element trapped in the rear chamber.

Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for self-sterilizing a surface or other portion of the apparatus and/or sterilizing other objects. Embodiments can utilize self-generated and/or remotely controlled plasma fields for the purpose of self-sterilization and/or sterilization of another object. Embodiments of the invention can have broad applications in procedures and equipment requiring the sterility of devices used for medical procedures, decontamination procedures, drug delivery, sterility of consumer products, and sterility of food preparation equipment and tools.

Provided is a fluid-cooled contact tip assembly that can be used in methods and systems for manufacturing objects by solid freeform fabrication, especially titanium and titanium alloy objects, where the deposition rate is increased by increasing the flow rate of electric charge through the metal wire.

Provided is a fluid-cooled contact tip assembly that can be used in methods and systems for manufacturing objects by solid freeform fabrication, especially titanium and titanium alloy objects, where the deposition rate is increased by increasing the flow rate of electric charge through the metal wire.

A plasma coating an object has an object profile, and includes the steps of: providing a replaceable shield including a jet inlet, a nozzle outlet and a sidewall extending from the jet inlet to the nozzle outlet; detachably attaching the replaceable shield to a jet outlet of a plasma jet generator; placing the object at the nozzle outlet such that the object profile fits closely to the nozzle outlet edge to within a distance of at least 0.1 mm and at most 5 mm; plasma coating the object with a low-temperature, oxygen-free plasma at an operating pressure which is higher than the atmospheric pressure by providing a plasma jet in the shield via the plasma jet generator and injecting coating precursors in the plasma jet in the shield; identifying the provided shield prior to providing the plasma jet.

Wiring is disclosed herein that is configured to supply IRE ablation signals through a catheter body and is resistant against dielectric breakdown, arcing, and noise during ablation. The wiring includes a highly conductive core, a conductive cover surrounding the core that has lower electrical and/or thermal conductivity than the core, and an insulative jacket surrounding the conductive cover. A catheter including such wiring may be suitable for supplying electrical signals to tissue to perform IRE ablation. In some examples, such a catheter can also be suitable for reversible electroporation and/or RF ablation.

Wiring is disclosed herein that is configured to supply IRE ablation signals through a catheter body and is resistant against dielectric breakdown, arcing, and noise during ablation. The wiring includes a highly conductive core, a conductive cover surrounding the core that has lower electrical and/or thermal conductivity than the core, and an insulative jacket surrounding the conductive cover. A catheter including such wiring may be suitable for supplying electrical signals to tissue to perform IRE ablation. In some examples, such a catheter can also be suitable for reversible electroporation and/or RF ablation.

Proposed is a method for manufacturing a spherical YOF-based powder. Specifically, proposed is a method for manufacturing a spherical YOF-based powder. The YOF-based powder injected into the plasma jet and melted into the refrigerant in a droplet state is sprayed and quenched, thereby improving density and controlling the component ratio through particle spheroidization.

Proposed is a method for manufacturing a spherical YOF-based powder. Specifically, proposed is a method for manufacturing a spherical YOF-based powder. The YOF-based powder injected into the plasma jet and melted into the refrigerant in a droplet state is sprayed and quenched, thereby improving density and controlling the component ratio through particle spheroidization.

Apparatus and methods associated with operating a plasma torch are disclosed. According to some implementations, the apparatus and methods involve the delivery of a process gas to a shuttle valve at first and second pressures for the purpose of altering an axial position of a valve element located inside the shuttle valve. The shuttle valve is configured such that at different axial positions of the valve element the flow of process gas into the plasma torch is altered.