Present and Future Applications of Shape Memory and Superelastic Materials

Abstract

AbstractThe utility of superelastic Ni-Ti alloys in the medical industry has been rather dramatically demonstrated in recent years. A great number of devices are now in production, and still others are staged to enter production during the next few years. This surge in interest from the medical community stems from an increased acceptance of Ni-Ti because of its biocompatibility, advances in micromachining techniques and trends towards less-invasive surgical techniques. In addition, there are a variety of new developmental concepts that will have a major influence on this and other markets during the next 5 years of commercialization. This review will highlight many of the properties of Ni-Ti by illustration in a variety of recent medical applications, and then discuss some of the newer developmental concepts. Medical applications that will be presented here include guidewires, laparoscopic surgical instruments, implants, stents, retrieval baskets, and bone anchors. Some of the new concepts and capabilities that are reviewed include microvalves made from thin films, high temperature alloys, fatigue resistant composites, and robotic actuators with tactile feedback.