초록 ▼

Medical devices which are currently proposed to use elements made form shape memory alloys may be improved by the use of stress-induced martensite alloy elements instead. The use of stress-induced martensite decreases the temperature sensitivity of the devices, thereby making them easier to install

Medical devices which are currently proposed to use elements made form shape memory alloys may be improved by the use of stress-induced martensite alloy elements instead. The use of stress-induced martensite decreases the temperature sensitivity of the devices, thereby making them easier to install and/or remove.

대표청구항 ▼

A medical device which comprises: (a) an element for use within a human body or in such proximity to a human body that the device is substantially at human body temperature, the element comprising a shape memory alloy which displays a stress-induced martensite behavior at body temperature; and (b) a

A medical device which comprises: (a) an element for use within a human body or in such proximity to a human body that the device is substantially at human body temperature, the element comprising a shape memory alloy which displays a stress-induced martensite behavior at body temperature; and (b) a restraint holding the shape memory alloy element in a deformed configuration at a temperature less than the body temperature of the human for positioning the shape memory alloy element within or in proximity to the human body in its deformed configuration, the deformation occurring through the formation of stress-induced martensite; wherein the shape memory alloy element is sufficiently deformed that when the shape memory alloy element is at human body temperature removal of the restraint from the shape memory alloy element, without change in temperature of the device, releases at least a portion of the shape memory alloy element from its deformed configuration.