Billerica, MA -- July 12, 2000 - AST Products' LubriLAST™ coating technology which is used to coat intraocular lens (IOL) delivery devices, has been approved for use by the U.S. FDA. The IOL is an implantable device used in cataract surgery where the opacified human lens is replaced by a plastic intraocular lens. LubriLAST  facilitates placement of the lens and reduces trauma to the patient by allowing for a smaller incision during surgery.

"We are pleased that the IOL delivery device has received 510K approval. It highlights the fact that our LubriLAST  coating can add value to a wide range of medical devices," said Dr. Ih-Houng Loh, AST's VP of Business Development. Other medical devices coated with LubriLAST  which have regulatory approval include PTA catheters (both 510K and CE Mark) used in angioplasty procedures and microcatheters (IDE approved) used in neurovascular applications. A number of devices used in the Cardiology, Neurology and Urology areas are pending approval.

LubriLAST  is a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-based hydrogel coating that can provide lubricity and hydrophilicity to a wide variety of invasive and extracorporeal medical products. Devices that benefit from LubriLAST's exceptional slip, biocompatibility and durability include many types of catheters, guidewires, shunts, stents and a variety of surgical instruments.

A Broad Range of Coating Technologies
LubriLAST is a flexible technology which can be customized to include various agents such as anti-microbial, heparin and other drugs in a controlled-release system. Almost all polymers used in medical devices can be coated effectively, as well as most metals and ceramic materials. In addition to LubriLAST,  AST has developed and commercialized other coatings - HydroLAST™ for wettability/hydrophilicity, BioPhilic for reduced protein and cell adhesion and ParyLAST™ for dry lubricity. AST also offers contract coating services in addition to the technology transfer and licensing of its coating technologies.

Non-solvent Process
LubriLAST, because it does not require UV light curing and is not a solvent-based process, is particularly beneficial for any device that utilizes either light-sensitive or solvent-sensitive materials. Additionally, the application process is simple and robust.

About AST Products, Inc.
AST is a leader in coatings and surface modification technology for biomedical and industrial applications. An ISO 9001-registered company with GMP facilities, AST provides integrated surface solutions through coatings technology, processing equipment & services and surface analysis instruments. For more information about AST Products, please visit their website at www.astpadvance.com.

Billerica, MA -- March 22, 2000 - AST Products, Inc. Plasma Science Group recently shipped a new PS-500 Tumbler System for use in the process of golf ball production. The fully automated system provides continuous in-line plasma surface treatment to enhance bonding property prior to the final coating process. Plasma treatment greatly reduces the exfoliation of the outer surface coating without changing the ball material or affecting the dimples designed for the ball flight distance and stability. With capacity in excess of 7000 balls per hour and PLC touch screen control, the new PS-500 Tumbler System provides easy control and consistent treatment in the production environment.

Effective and environmentally safe process
The gas plasma generated by the PS-500 Tumbler System releases the mold and other residue on the outer layer of the ball to increase its adhesive bonding to the coating. The low temperature plasma does not deteriorate the materials forming the golf ball or damage the dimples precisely designed for the ball flight performance. The strong adhesion bonding resulting from plasma treatment further enhances the durability of the coating. PS-500 Plasma System provides effective surface treatment and is environmentally safe without the use of chemicals.

Repetitive and consistent process
PS-500 System is totally automated to provide high capacity, in-line processing. The unique load/unload mechanism smoothly integrates the plasma process to the current manufacturing without interrupting the continuous golf ball production. PLC touch screen control stores up to 14 pre-programmed process recipes. PC control is available for data logging and remote operation. AST/Plasma Science patented chamber electrode design ensures process uniformity and consistency in the high speed tumbler process even in excess of 7000 balls per hour.

About AST Products, Inc.
AST Products, Inc., specializes in coating, surface modification and contact angle surface analysis technologies. AST Plasma Science Group manufactures and markets plasma systems for microelectronics, biomedical and other industrial applications. Their full line of plasma systems including bench-top, large capacity, roll-to-roll, in-line and customized systems. An ISO 9001 registered company with GMP facilities, AST provides integrated surface solution through plasma process equipment, coating, process development, and surface analysis instruments.

Billerica, MA -- February 29, 2000 - AST Products, Inc., Plasma Science Group announces the first shipment of the new PS-2020, a plasma system for continuous roll-to-roll cleaning of flexible circuit material. Adding to over a dozen Plasma Science PS-2020 systems worldwide, AST Products reintroduced this new version with upgraded PLC control system and touch-screen operator interface packages.

Reel Process Reduces Handling and Process Time
Cleaning process to remove contaminants from surfaces of materials is essential in many electronic manufacturing processes. Plasma surface cleaning has proven to be a better choice over wet chemical cleaning as it achieves a higher degree of cleanliness and poses no hazardous effect to the environment and the workers. The versatile PS-2020 plasma system is designed to handle small width flex circuits with interleaf material. These flex circuits are treated to remove carbon contamination from laser drilling processes and other forms of organic which may inhibit bonding of micro-circuits. Processing of the flex circuit on the reel greatly reduces handling and process time of the end products.

Solid design for efficient and effective process
The new PS-2020 is capable of cleaning rolls up to 6 inches in width and 10 inches in diameters with web speeds of 1 to 30 feet per minute. In the process, interleaf layers are removed and reapplied on completion for easy handling. The PLC control system stores up to 14 pre-programmed process recipes. PC options are available for data logging and remote operation. Extension to handle 12 inches material is also available.

About AST Products, Inc.
AST Products, Inc., specializes in coating, surface modification and contact angle surface analysis technologies. AST Plasma Science Group manufactures and markets plasma systems for microelectronics, biomedical and other industrial applications. Their full line of plasma systems includes bench-top, large capacity, roll-to-roll, in-line and customized systems. An ISO 9001 registered company with GMP facilities, AST provides integrated surface solution through process equipment, technology development, services and surface analysis instruments.