Nitinol - its use in vascular surgery and other applications.
OBJECTIVE
to describe the physical properties of shape-memory alloys and the surgical, scientific and commercial applications of nitinol, in particular.


METHODS
a Medline, Internet and library search with contributions from commerce to describe the alloy's structure, behaviour and biocompatibility, and design for devices constructed from nitinol.


RESULTS
nitinol has the properties of thermal shape memory and superelasticity that make it ideal for many vascular and general surgical prostheses and disposables, and for various commercial applications.


CONCLUSIONS
further research into shape-memory alloys from scientific and commercial groups should widen their use in vascular and endovascular surgery.
Barras
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CD
Departments of Vascular Surgery, Monash Medical Centre and Epworth Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
Myers
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KA
D000497:Alloys; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D015607:Stents; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000601:surgery
D000497:Alloys; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; C013616:nitinol