How are shape memory alloys used in medicine?

This alloy combines the characteristics of the shape memory effect and superelasticity with excellent corrosion resistance, wear characteristics, mechanical properties and a good biocompatibility. These properties make it an ideal biological engineering material, especially in orthopaedic surgery and orthodontics.

Why is shape memory alloy used in alarm systems?

Upon reaching a critical temperature, the shape memory alloy element moves into the radiation region, or when used in an ionization fire alarm, the shape memory alloy element screens the radioactive radiation source and reduces the ionic current.

How can a piece of shape memory alloy be used in a fire detector controlling a sprinkler system?

When a fire raises the temperature, the positive (+) contact straightens and breaks the circuit, this will trigger the sprinklers. Glasses frames that remember their shape are made from a SMA. If the glasses are sat upon and the frames are twisted, the alloy remembers its room temperature shape and returns to it.

What are the uses of Nitinol?

Nitinol is used for the wiring and brackets that connect teeth. It’s the perfect choice for braces because the alloy is able to bend and shape itself to the requirements of the patient’s tooth formation. In endodontics, Nitinol is used during root canals, specifically for cleaning and helping to shape the root canal.

What is an example of a shape memory alloy?

The two most prevalent shape-memory alloys are copper-aluminium-nickel and nickel-titanium (NiTi), but SMAs can also be created by alloying zinc, copper, gold and iron. Similarly, the austenite structure receives its name from steel alloys of a similar structure.

Why is Nitinol used for stents?

First-generation Nitinol stents were designed to provide sufficient scaffolding forces to hold open vessels, yet provide enough elasticity to “breathe” with pulsatile pressure differentials from the cardiac cycle. A variety of clinical studies indicate that these stents perform this primary function quite well.

Why is Nitinol used in medical devices?

In medical devices, Nitinol is popular due to its biocompatibility, superelasticity and fatigue and kink resistance (5). Nitinol is used to manufacture catheter tubes, guidewires, stone retrieval baskets, filters, needles, dental files and archwires and other surgical instruments (6).

What can Nitinol be used for?

Biocompatible and biomedical applications Nitinol tubing is commonly used in catheters, stents, and superelastic needles. In colorectal surgery, the material is used in devices for reconnecting the intestine after removing the pathogens.

What are the advantages of shape memory alloys?

Bio-compatibility

What are the types of shape memory alloys?

NiTi,or nitinol. This is the most developed SMA,with excellent mechanical properties.

What does metal have a shape memory?

A shape-memory alloy is an alloy that can be deformed when cold but returns to its pre-deformed (“remembered”) shape when heated. It may also be called memory metal, memory alloy, smart metal, smart alloy, or muscle wire.

How do shape memory alloys (SMA) work?

Shape Memory Alloys (SMA’s) are novel materials that have the ability to return to a predetermined shape when heated. When a Shape Memory Alloy is cold, or below its transformation temperature, it has a very low yield strength and can be deformed quite easily into any new shape-which it will retain.