Abstract:
A system for the controlled addition of detergent formulations and the like to a carbon dioxide cleaning apparatus comprises: (a) a high pressure wash vessel; (b) an auxiliary vessel; (c) a drain line connecting the auxiliary vessel to the wash vessel; (d) optionally but preferably, a separate vent line connecting the auxiliary vessel to the wash vessel; (e) a detergent reservoir; and (f) a detergent supply line connecting the detergent reservoir to the auxiliary vessel. An advantage of this apparatus is that, because the detergent formulation can be pumped into the auxiliary vessel in a predetermined aliquot or amount, which predetermined aliquot or amount can then be transferred into the wash vessel where it combines with the liquid carbon dioxide cleaning solution, the detergent formulation can be added to the cleaning solution in a more controlled or accurate manner. An alternate embodiment adapted for the addition of aqueous detergent formulations and the like to a carbon dioxide dry cleaning system under turbulent conditions comprises: (a) a high pressure wash vessel; (b) a filter; (c) a carbon dioxide cleaning solution drain line interconnecting the wash vessel to the filter; (d) a carbon dioxide cleaning solution supply line connecting the filter to the wash vessel; (e) a first high pressure pump (i.e., a pump that is capable of pumping liquid solutions comprising liquid carbon dioxide) operably connected to the drain line; (f) a detergent formulation reservoir; (g) a detergent formulation supply line connecting the reservoir to the carbon dioxide cleaning solution supply line; and (h) a second high pressure pump operably connected to the detergent formulation supply line for transferring detergent formulation from the detergent formulation reservoir into the carbon dioxide cleaning solution under turbulent conditions.
Abstract:
A method for dry-cleaning articles such as fabrics and clothing in carbon dioxide comprises contacting an article to be cleaned with a liquid dry cleaning composition for a time sufficient to clean the fabric. The liquid drycleaning composition comprises a mixture of carbon dioxide, water, a surfactant, and an organic co-solvent. After the contacting step, the article is separated from the liquid dry cleaning composition. The method is preferably carried out at ambient temperature. The surfactant is preferably one that does not contain a CO2-philic group. The organic co-solvent is preferably an alkane and has a flash point above 140 ~F.
Abstract:
A method of coating a substrate comprises the steps of: (a) providing a substrate in an enclosed vessel, the substrate having a surface portion; (b) at least partially filling the enclosed vessel with a first supercritical fluid so that said first supercritical fluid contacts the surface portion, with the first supercritical fluid carrying or containing a coating component; then (c) adding a separate compressed gas atmosphere to the reaction vessel so that a boundary is formed between the first supercritical fluid and the separate compressed gas atmosphere, said separate compressed gas atmosphere having a density less than said first supercritical fluid; and then (d) displacing said first supercritical fluid from said vessel by continuing adding said separate compressed gas atmosphere to said vessel so that said boundary moves across said surface portion and a thin film of coating component is deposited on said microelectronic substrate.
Abstract:
Provided herein is a coated coronary stent, comprising: a. stent; b. a plurality of layers deposited on said stent to form said coronary stent; wherein at least one of said layers comprises a bioabsorbable polymer and at least one of said layers comprises one or more active agents; wherein at least part of the active agent is in crystalline form.
Abstract:
A stent holder for mounting and electrically charging a stent during coating of the stent using dry particles, the particles comprising inert polymers, pharmaceutical or biological agents, is provided. An assembly for supporting and electrically charging a stent during the coating of the stent using dry particles, the particles comprising inert polymers, pharmaceutical or biological agents, is provided. A chamber for creating an electrical field around a stent and for supporting, electrically charging, and exposing the stent to dry particles, the particles comprising inert polymers, pharmaceutical or biological agents, is provided. A method for creating an electrical field around a stent and for supporting, electrically charging, and exposing the stent to dry particles comprising inert polymers, pharmaceutical or biological agents is provided.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a dry cleaning process that facilitates distribution of detergent and solvent and (optionally) facilitates recovery of cleaning by-products in conjunction with the cleaning of articles at a dry cleaning facility. The proces comprises the steps of: (a) receiving from a source a dry cleaning solvent at the dry cleaning facility, the solvent consisting essentially of carbon dioxide; (b) receiving a concentrated detergent formulation (preferably a liquid formulation) at the cleaning facility; (c) accepting from customers soiled articles to be cleaned at the cleaning facility; (d) mixing the dry cleaning solvent and the concentrated detergent formulation to provide a dry cleaning formulation comprised of from 30 or 40 to 99 percent by weight of carbon dioxide solvent; (e) cleaning the articles in a cleaning apparatus to produce cleaned articles; (f) at least periodically distilling the dry cleaning formulation to produce a still residue comprising surfactant and soil; and then (g) returning the cleaned articles to the customers. Optionally but preferably, the process further comprises the step of: (h) returning the still residue to a waste collector or reprocessor for suitable disposal.
Abstract:
Processing systems employing one or more divided pressure vessels (653) are described. These systems may allow for multiple solvent baths each having a different chemical composition to be stored and/or processed in a single pressure vessel (653) while maintaining the different chemical compositions of the multiple solvent baths. Thus, such systems employing one or more divided pressure vessels (653) may provide the improved operational efficiency of a carbon dioxide based system having multiple solvent baths while decreasing the capital costs that may be associated with such systems.
Abstract:
Devices, coatings, and methods therefore comprise a medical device for delivering nanoparticles of an active agent to a treatment site. A coating on the medical device comprises active agent nanoparticles, which delivers coating to the treatment site and releases active agent nanoparticles into the treatment site over at least one day. A coating may comprise a polymer, a surfactant, and the nanoparticles. The coating may be prepared by forming a nanoemulsion. A coating may comprise encapsulated active agent nanoparticles which comprise active agent nanoparticles encapsulated in a polymer. The coating may have a positive surface charge. The coating may deliver active agent nanoparticles into the treatment site over at least about one day. The coating may be formed of a surfactant and nanoparticles mixture. The active agent nanoparticles may be deposited on the medical device using electrostatic capture.
Abstract:
Provided is a coated implantable medical device, comprising: a substrate; and a coating disposed on the substrate, wherein the coating comprises at least one polymer and at least one pharmaceutical agent in a therapeutically desirable morphology and/or at least one active biological agent and optionally, one or more pharmaceutical carrying agents; wherein substantially all of pharmaceutical agent and/or active biological agent remains within the coating and on the substrate until the implantable device is deployed at an intervention site inside the body of a subject and wherein upon deployment of the medical device in the body of the subject a portion of the pharmaceutical agent and/or active biological agent is delivered at the intervention site along with at least a portion of the polymer and/or a at least a portion of the pharmaceutical carrying agents.
Abstract:
Provided is a coated implantable medical device, comprising: a substrate; and a coating disposed on said substrate, wherein said coating comprises at least one polymer and at least one pharmaceutical agent in a therapeutically desirable morphology and/or at least one active biological agent and optionally, one or more pharmaceutical carrying agents; wherein substantially all of pharmaceutical agent and/or active biological agent remains within said coating and on said substrate until the implantable device is deployed at an intervention site inside the body of a subject and wherein upon deployment of said medical device in the body of said subject a portion of said pharmaceutical agent and/or active biological agent is delivered at said intervention site along with at least a portion of said polymer and/or a at least a portion of said pharmaceutical carrying agents.