Abstract:
A method for treating a material comprising: applying energy to a predetermined portion of the material in a controlled manner such that the local chemistry of the predetermined portion is altered to provide a predetermined result. When the material is a shape memory material, the predetermined result may be to provide an additional memory to the predetermined portion or to alter the pseudo-elastic properties of the shape memory material. In other examples, which are not necessarily restricted to shape memory materials, the process may be used to adjust the concentration of components at the surface to allow the formation of an oxide layer at the surface of the material to provide corrosion resistance; to remove contaminants from the material; to adjust surface texture; or to generate at least one additional phase particle in the material to provide a nucleation site for grain growth, which in turn, can strengthen the material.
Abstract:
Medical instruments, particularly, endodontic instruments with unique limited memory characteristics, and methods for making such instruments. One embodiment includes heat treating an endodontic blank prior to forming a working portion of the endodontic instrument.
Abstract:
A thermal seal may include a flexible insulation layer, and an element made of shape memory alloy attached to the insulation layer, the element being treated to bend in response to heating, whereby an increase in the temperature of the element causes the insulation layer to transform from a first configuration to a second configuration.
Abstract:
A method for treating a material comprising: applying energy to a predetermined portion of the material in a controlled manner such that the local chemistry of the predetermined portion is altered to provide a predetermined result. When the material is a shape memory material, the predetermined result may be to provide an additional memory to the predetermined portion or to alter the pseudo-elastic properties of the shape memory material. In other examples, which are not necessarily restricted to shape memory materials, the process may be used to adjust the concentration of components at the surface to allow the formation of an oxide layer at the surface of the material to provide corrosion resistance; to remove contaminants from the material; to adjust surface texture; or to generate at least one additional phase particle in the material to provide a nucleation site for grain growth, which in turn, can strengthen the material.
Abstract:
A method for applying compression to bone, the method comprising: providing a shape memory material device; deforming the shape memory material device using the superelastic properties of the shape memory material device so that the shape memory material device generates a stress level which is at or above the upper plateau of the mechanical hysteresis curve of the shape memory material device; allowing the shape memory material device to recover a portion of its deformation so that the shape memory material device generates a stress level which is substantially at the lower plateau of the mechanical hysteresis curve of the shape memory material device; mechanically constraining the shape memory material device; deploying the shape memory material device so that the shape memory material device is in association with bone; and releasing the mechanical constraint so that the shape memory material device applies compression to bone.
Abstract:
A wire used in the medical field for guiding purposes, as well as in other fields, such as in the field of orthodontics for teeth aligning purposes. The wire, when prepared for use in such applications, exhibits an innovative blend of advantageous properties, including enhanced kink resistance over stainless steel wires and enhanced stiffness over Nitinol wires, which enhance its use as a medical guidewire or stylet, and further, as an arch wire in orthodontia applications.
Abstract:
Processes for producing a nickel-titanium alloy are disclosed. The processes are characterized by the production of nickel-titanium alloy articles having improved microstructure. A pre-alloyed nickel-titanium alloy is melted and atomized to form molten nickel-titanium alloy particles. The molten nickel-titanium alloy particles are cooled to form nickel-titanium alloy powder. The nickel-titanium alloy powder is consolidated to form a fully-densified nickel-titanium alloy preform that is hot worked to form a nickel-titanium alloy article. Any second phases present in the nickel-titanium alloy article have a mean size of less than 10 micrometers measured according to ASTM E1245-03 (2008) or an equivalent method.
Abstract:
Hollow superelastic shape memory alloy particles are disclosed herein. An example of the hollow superelastic shape memory particle includes an outer shell of a shape memory alloy having an Austenite finish temperature (Af) that is lower than a temperature encountered in an application in which the particle is used so that the shape memory alloy exhibits stress-induced superelasticity. The hollow superelastic shape memory particle also includes an interior hollow portion at least partially surrounded by the outer shell.
Abstract:
Medical instruments, particularly, endodontic instruments with unique limited memory characteristics, and methods for making such instruments. One embodiment includes heat treating a finished endodontic instrument. A related embodiment includes electropolishing a finished endodontic instrument and then heat treating the endodontic instrument.
Abstract:
A stent includes: a main body unit including a plurality of through holes and configured to have a net-like shape; and a coating unit filling the through holes of the main body unit and configured as a layer on the main body unit, wherein the main body unit has force of restitution to be restored to its original shape, and the coating unit includes a support unit for maintaining the shape of the main body unit by hampering the restoration of the main body unit and a blocking unit blocking the through holes of the main body unit to discriminate the interior and the exterior of the main body unit. The stent can be quickly expanded in a blood vascular system, or the like, after being inserted into the body in a surgical procedure, thus improving expansion (or extension) effect.