A balloon catheter that includes an elongated main body extending in an axial direction and a balloon connected to the distal portion of the elongated main body. The balloon includes an interior and is inflatable and deflatable. The balloon catheter also includes a plurality of elongate bodies extending radially away from the outer surface of the balloon. The elongate bodies are crystals of a water-insoluble drug. The elongate bodies each possess an independent longitudinal axis. Each of the elongate bodies includes a base portion at the proximal end of the elongate body. A plurality of elongate body proximal portions extend radially inwardly from the base portion of each of the elongate bodies toward the interior of the balloon. The elongate body proximal portions are continuous extensions of the crystal of the water-insoluble drug.

A balloon catheter that includes an elongated main body, a balloon connected to the elongated main body, and a base layer on the outer surface of the balloon. The base layer includes a water-soluble low-molecular weight compound. The balloon catheter also includes a plurality of elongate bodies extending radially away from the outer surface of the balloon. The elongate bodies are crystals of a water-insoluble drug. The elongate bodies each possesses an independent longitudinal axis. At least part of at least some of the elongate bodies are located in the interior of the base layer on the outer surface of the balloon.

A balloon catheter that includes an elongated main body, a balloon connected to the elongated main body, and a base layer on the outer surface of the balloon. The base layer includes a water-soluble low-molecular weight compound. The balloon catheter also includes a plurality of elongate bodies extending radially away from the outer surface of the balloon. The elongate bodies are crystals of a water-insoluble drug. The elongate bodies each possesses an independent longitudinal axis. At least part of at least some of the elongate bodies are located in the interior of the base layer on the outer surface of the balloon.

A balloon catheter that includes an elongated main body extending in an axial direction and a balloon connected to the distal portion of the elongated main body. The balloon includes an interior and is inflatable and deflatable. The balloon catheter also includes a plurality of elongate bodies extending radially away from the outer surface of the balloon. The elongate bodies are crystals of a water-insoluble drug. The elongate bodies each possess an independent longitudinal axis. Each of the elongate bodies includes a base portion at the proximal end of the elongate body. A plurality of elongate body proximal portions extend radially inwardly from the base portion of each of the elongate bodies toward the interior of the balloon. The elongate body proximal portions are continuous extensions of the crystal of the water-insoluble drug.

A balloon catheter that includes an elongated main body extending in an axial direction and a balloon connected to the distal portion of the elongated main body. The balloon includes an interior and is inflatable and deflatable. The balloon catheter also includes a plurality of elongate bodies extending radially away from the outer surface of the balloon. The elongate bodies are crystals of a water-insoluble drug. The elongate bodies each possess an independent longitudinal axis. Each of the elongate bodies includes a base portion at the proximal end of the elongate body. A plurality of elongate body proximal portions extend radially inwardly from the base portion of each of the elongate bodies toward the interior of the balloon. The elongate body proximal portions are continuous extensions of the crystal of the water-insoluble drug.

A method and apparatus for producing AlN whiskers includes reduced incorporation of metal particles, an AlN whisker body, AlN whiskers, a resin molded body, and a method for producing the resin molded body. The method for producing AlN whiskers includes heating an Al-containing material in a material accommodation unit to thereby generate Al gas; and introducing the Al gas into a reaction chamber through a communication portion while introducing nitrogen gas into the reaction chamber through a gas inlet port, to thereby grow AlN whiskers on the surface of an Al.sub.2O.sub.3 substrate placed in the reaction chamber.

A method and apparatus for producing AlN whiskers includes reduced incorporation of metal particles, an AlN whisker body, AlN whiskers, a resin molded body, and a method for producing the resin molded body. The method for producing AlN whiskers includes heating an Al-containing material in a material accommodation unit to thereby generate Al gas; and introducing the Al gas into a reaction chamber through a communication portion while introducing nitrogen gas into the reaction chamber through a gas inlet port, to thereby grow AlN whiskers on the surface of an Al.sub.2O.sub.3 substrate placed in the reaction chamber.

An apparatus for manufacturing hexagonal crystals using HVPE includes: a reaction tube; a reaction boat disposed on one side in the reaction tube; a halogenation reaction gas supply pipe for supplying a halogenation reaction gas to the reaction boat; a nitrification reaction gas supply pipe for supplying a nitrification reaction gas to the reaction boat; and a heater for heating the reaction tube. The reaction boat includes a source part for receiving source materials; and a crystal growth part disposed beneath the source part and having a depressed growth mold of a predetermined shape. The source part includes: at least one penetration hole formed on a bottom surface; a first allocating area formed around the at least one penetration hole, for receiving aluminum; and a second allocating area formed around the first allocating area, for receiving a main material of the hexagonal crystal and gallium.

An apparatus for manufacturing hexagonal crystals using HVPE includes: a reaction tube; a reaction boat disposed on one side in the reaction tube; a halogenation reaction gas supply pipe for supplying a halogenation reaction gas to the reaction boat; a nitrification reaction gas supply pipe for supplying a nitrification reaction gas to the reaction boat; and a heater for heating the reaction tube. The reaction boat includes a source part for receiving source materials; and a crystal growth part disposed beneath the source part and having a depressed growth mold of a predetermined shape. The source part includes: at least one penetration hole formed on a bottom surface; a first allocating area formed around the at least one penetration hole, for receiving aluminum; and a second allocating area formed around the first allocating area, for receiving a main material of the hexagonal crystal and gallium.

Disclosed herein are structures comprising a titanium, zirconium, or hafnium powder particle with titanium carbide, zirconium carbide, or hafnium carbide (respectively) nano-whiskers grown directly from and anchored to the powder particle. Also disclosed are methods for fabrication of such structures, involving heating the powder particles and exposing the particles to an organic gas.