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.

Methods and apparatus for coating a medical device are provided. In one embodiment, the method for preparing a substantially uniform coated medical device includes (1) preparing a coating solution comprising a solvent, a therapeutic agent, and an additive; (2) loading a metering dispenser with the coating solution; (3) rotating the medical device about the longitudinal axis of the device and/or moving the medical device along the longitudinal or transverse axis of the device; (4) dispensing the coating solution from the metering dispenser onto a surface of the medical device and flowing the coating solution on the surface of the medical device while the medical device is rotating and/or linearly moving; and (5) evaporating the solvent, forming a substantially uniform coating layer on the medical device.

A method for producing a columnar or cylindrical metal automotive part whose outer circumferential surface includes a portion to be coated with paint and a portion to be uncoated therewith includes the following processes: (1) a process of providing a convergent nozzle-shaped covering jig which covers an outer circumferential surface of the columnar or cylindrical part at an axial end thereof and covers the portion to be uncoated with the paint, with a gap formed between the covering jig and the outer circumferential surface of the part; (2) a process of discharging a gas from the gap toward an end of a nozzle of the covering jig with the columnar or cylindrical part being rotated; (3) a process of sticking a film-forming substance to the columnar or cylindrical part from an axial side surface thereof.

The invention relates to a method for coating a vascular endoprosthesis, wherein the outside of the vascular endoprosthesis is wetted at least partially with a first solution of an active substance, the vascular endoprosthesis is moved in a rotational movement about the longitudinal axis of the vascular endoprosthesis, and a radially acting mechanical force is applied to the outside of the vascular endoprosthesis. The rotational movement has the effect that the solution is carried outward by the centrifugal force, such that no active substance deposits in the interior of the vascular endoprosthesis. The application of a mechanical force to the outside of the vascular endoprosthesis then has the effect of creating crystallization nuclei, such that the active substance can crystallize out.

A method for depositing a layer of a nanocomposite material comprising the step of pouring said liquid material onto the surface of a substrate, said substrate being subjected to an oscillating rotary motion.

A device for holding a plurality of workpieces, which each include a circumferential wall structure surrounding an interior, includes a plurality of rotatable holding elements for holding the workpieces. The holding elements are configured to secure the workpieces. The workpieces can be stents and the method of coating can be deposition, particularly plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The holding elements can include at least one connecting element which facilitates electrical charging of the holding elements and hence workpieces when connected to the holding elements by being connected to a charging unit.

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 wheel design face in a three-dimensional shape is decorated only with a two-dimensional move of one of a discharge nozzle and a holding member, and inclination of the other one of the discharge nozzle and the holding member.

A vehicle wheel decoration method includes a setting step of detachably holding a wheel body in the holding member such that the wheel design face faces the discharge nozzle, and a decoration step of forming a decorative layer on the wheel design face by discharging paint from a discharge opening of the discharge nozzle toward the wheel design face while relatively moving the discharge nozzle in two directions which extend along the wheel design face and cross each other with respect to the wheel design face of the wheel body held in the holding member, and, in the decoration step, the wheel body is relatively inclined in a direction which crosses moving directions toward the two directions by a relative move of one of the discharge nozzle and the holding member or relative moves of both of the discharge nozzle and the holding member, and the discharge opening of the discharge nozzle is relatively moved in the two directions along the wheel design face, a distance from the discharge opening to the wheel design face falling within a predetermined range.

Coloring systems and methods include a conveyor that transports a material. An auger is configured to move a colorant from a reservoir to the conveyor. A grinder receives the material and the colorant from the conveyor and grinds the material and the colorant together to produce a colored material.