Nitinol: A new star material in the medical field, leading a new chapter in health technology
Nitinol is a special metal alloy composed of two elements: nickel (Ni) and titanium (Ti). Its name "Nitinol" is a combination of its composition and the abbreviation of the Naval Ordnance Laboratory (Ni-Ti-NOL) in Maryland, USA, where it was discovered.
Nitinol has two remarkable properties: shape memory effect and superelasticity. These properties make it widely useful in various engineering applications and medical fields.
Superelasticity: NiTi alloys are super elastic and can return to their original shape even after large deformations. This makes it useful when making medical devices and implants that need to withstand deformation and return to their original shape, such as stents and implants.
Shape Memory Effect: Nitinol alloy has a shape memory effect, that is, it can remember and restore a preset shape at a certain temperature. This allows it to adapt to different temperatures and shapes within the body and is used to manufacture medical devices and implants that require adaptability, such as stents, implants, and catheters.
Biocompatibility: Nickel-titanium alloy has good biocompatibility and is compatible with human tissues without causing obvious rejection or allergic reactions. This makes it safe to use in the manufacture of a variety of implants and medical devices, such as implants, stents, catheters, etc.
Corrosion Resistance: Nickel-titanium alloy has good corrosion resistance and can exist stably in the body for a long time without being corroded by body fluids or tissues. This allows it to be used in the manufacture of long-term implants and medical devices such as heart stents, orthopedic implants and more.
High Strength and Lightweight: Nickel-titanium alloy has the characteristics of high strength and lightweight, which can provide sufficient strength while maintaining the lightweight of instruments and implants. This makes it useful when manufacturing medical devices and implants that require strength and lightweight.
These properties of nickel-titanium alloy make it widely used in the medical field to manufacture stents, implants, catheters and other medical devices. It is also used in various engineering fields such as aerospace, automotive, eyeglass frames, etc., as well as in some special applications such as temperature controllers, smart materials, etc.
The following is a brief introduction to the application of this material in the medical field.
1. Cardiovascular
Stents: Cardiovascular stents are metal mesh structures used to expand and support blood vessels. Nitinol's superelasticity and shape memory effect allow the stent to be compressed to a smaller diameter when inserted and then return to its original shape when released, ensuring smooth support of the blood vessel.
Guidewires and Catheters: During interventional cardiac procedures, catheters and guidewires are used to guide and position other devices, such as stents and balloons. Nitinol's superelasticity and shape memory allow catheters and guidewires to travel inside blood vessels and return to their pre-designed shape when needed.
Thrombectomy Devices: These devices are used to remove blood clots from blood vessels. The superelasticity and shape memory of nitinol allow the thrombus extractor to travel through blood vessels and adapt to different vessel shapes, thereby removing thrombus more effectively.
Heart Valves: Some heart valves are made of nickel-titanium alloy to support and enhance the function of the valve. These valves can be implanted through interventional surgery to treat heart valve disease.
Aneurysm Repair: Nitinol is also used in the repair of aneurysms (local expansion of blood vessel walls). Stents and other shape memory devices could be used to support and repair blood vessel walls.
2. Peripheral blood vessels
Peripheral Vascular Stents: Similar to cardiac stents, peripheral vascular stents are used to treat peripheral arterial disease, such as narrowing or occlusion of arteries in the legs. The superelasticity and shape memory effect of nitinol stents allow them to adapt to the shape of blood vessels and keep them open.
Aneurysm Repair: Repair of peripheral aneurysms (such as abdominal aortic aneurysms) usually requires the use of stents or other devices to support and repair the artery wall. Nitinol stents can provide needed support and help prevent tumor rupture.
Guidewires and Catheters: In peripheral vascular interventional procedures, catheters and guidewires are used to guide and position other devices, such as balloon dilators or stents. Nitinol's superelasticity and shape memory effects enable catheters and guidewires to navigate narrow and tortuous blood vessels.
Peripheral Artery Occlusion Treatment: Devices such as nickel-titanium alloy stents and balloon dilators are commonly used to treat peripheral artery occlusion and help restore smooth blood flow.
Endovascular Interventions: In peripheral endarterectomy surgery, the superelasticity and shape memory effect of nitinol allow interventionalists to more easily manipulate and position the treatment device to remove plaque or thrombus within the artery. .
3. Cerebrovascular
Cerebral Aneurysm Repair: A cerebral aneurysm is a dangerous condition in the brain's vasculature that can cause bleeding or rupture. Nitinol stents and spiral devices can be used to repair cerebral aneurysms. These devices can be inserted through a blood vessel and deployed inside a brain aneurysm to support the vessel wall and reduce the risk of the tumor continuing to grow.
Treatment of Cerebral Arterial Stenosis: Cerebral Arterial Stenosis may lead to dangerous conditions such as ischemic stroke. Devices such as nitinol stents and balloon dilators can be used to treat narrowing of cerebral arteries, dilating the blood vessels and restoring normal blood flow.
Aneurysm Embolization: This is an interventional treatment method used to block the blood flow of cerebral aneurysms and reduce the risk of tumor rupture. Nitinol's superelasticity allows the implanted helical device to fill the aneurysm and prevent blood from entering it. oAngioplasty: Nitinol balloon dilators are often used in cerebral angioplasty to improve blood flow by dilating narrowed blood vessels.
Endovascular Aneurysm Treatment: This interventional treatment uses a catheter and a nickel-titanium alloy stent to treat brain hemangiomas.
4. Electrophysiology
Electrode Leads: Nitinol alloys may be used in the manufacture of electrode leads for pacemakers and defibrillators. These guidewires need to have good flexibility and durability to ensure that they can maintain stable contact with the heart tissue for an extended period of time to provide reliable cardiac rhythm control.
Neurostimulators: In the fields of neuroscience and neurosurgery, nickel-titanium alloys may be used for electrodes or other components in neurostimulators. These devices are used to treat chronic pain, Parkinson's disease, and other conditions, so they need to be well compatible with neural tissue and have appropriate flexibility and stability.
Electrophysiology Research Equipment: In scientific research, nickel-titanium alloys may be used to manufacture electrophysiology experimental equipment, such as microelectrodes or other probes for recording neuronal activity. These devices need to be highly sensitive and stable in order to accurately measure bioelectrical signals.
5. Gastroenterology
Esophageal Stents: Nitinol stents can be used to treat diseases such as esophageal stricture or esophageal cancer. These stents are inserted endoscopically and deploy to support the dilated esophagus and help restore esophageal patency.
Gastrointestinal Stents: Similar to esophageal stents, nickel-titanium alloy stents can also be used to treat gastrointestinal stenosis, obstruction, or cancer. These stents can be inserted via endoscopic or percutaneous routes to support and dilate the corresponding part of the gastrointestinal tract.
Gastrointestinal Closure Devices: In gastrointestinal surgery, nickel-titanium alloys can be used to make closures for suturing or clamping tissues to achieve surgical suturing and anastomosis.
Gastrointestinal Probes: In endoscopy or surgery, nickel-titanium alloys may be used to make detection tools, such as biopsy or therapeutic detection tools, to obtain samples or perform treatment operations.
Intestinal Molds: When treating certain intestinal diseases, molds made of nickel-titanium alloy may be needed to help shape the intestinal structure, promote healing or prevent strictures.
6. Urology
Urethral Stents: Nitinol stents can be used to treat urethral stricture or obstruction. These stents are inserted through the urethra and deploy to support and dilate the urethra and help keep it open.
Ureteral Stents: Similar to urethral stents, nickel-titanium alloy stents can also be used to treat ureteral stricture or obstruction. These stents can be inserted through the urinary tract to support and dilate the ureters and facilitate the smooth passage of urine.
Nephroscopes and Stone Retrieval Baskets: In kidney stone surgery, nickel-titanium alloys may be used to make nephroscopes or kidney stone clips to detect and remove intrarenal stones.
Bladder Stents: When treating bladder stricture or obstruction, nitinol stents may be needed to expand and support the bladder passages.
Urological Probes: During urological examinations or surgeries, it may be necessary to use nickel-titanium alloy probes, such as biopsy or therapeutic probes, to obtain samples or perform treatment operations.
Artificial Urinary Sphincter: When treating urinary incontinence or urethral sphincter dysfunction, an artificial urinary sphincter made of nickel-titanium alloy may be needed to restore urine control function.
7. Orthopedics
Bone Implants: Nickel-titanium alloys are often used to make bone implants, such as bone plates, bone nails and screws. These implants can be used to treat fractures, fractures or defects, providing stability and support to promote bone healing.
External Fixators: An external fixator is a device used to treat severe fractures or fractures. It stabilizes the bone through an external framework and promotes healing. Nitinol may be used in the construction components of external fixators, providing strength and durability.
Vertebral Screws: Vertebral screws used in spinal surgery may be made of nickel-titanium alloy. These screws are implanted into the spine to secure the spinal bones to stabilize the vertebral bodies and promote spinal healing.
Joint Replacement Implants: In joint replacement surgery, nickel-titanium alloys may be used to manufacture joint implants, such as artificial hip joints or artificial knee joints. These implants can rebuild damaged joints, provide movement and relieve pain.
Dental Implants: In the dental field, nickel-titanium alloys can be used to make dental implants to support artificial teeth or dental bridges. These implants are placed into the alveolar bone to provide a stable foundation and mimic the function of natural teeth.
8. Dentistry
Orthodontic Appliances: Nickel-titanium alloy is one of the common materials used to make dental appliances (such as braces and dental arches). Thanks to their shape memory and super-elastic properties, braces can be created that are lighter, more comfortable, and provide longer-lasting force for tooth movement and correction.
Dental Implants: Dental implants are artificial roots used to replace missing teeth, usually made of nickel-titanium alloy. This material has good biocompatibility and strength and can be implanted into the alveolar bone to provide solid support for the crown and restore the function and appearance of the tooth.
Endodontic Instruments: Nickel-titanium alloy is one of the common materials for manufacturing endodontic instruments. These instruments are used to perform root canal treatment, remove infected tissue from the root canal, and fill the root canal to preserve and repair the tooth.
Dental Surgical Instruments: In dental surgery, nickel-titanium alloys may be used to make surgical instruments, such as alveolar bone cutters and bone cutting saws. These appliances are used for alveolar bone repair or alveolar bone resection surgeries and require good corrosion resistance and durability.
Dental Expansion Appliances: During dental treatment, expansion appliances may be used to enlarge the dental arch or alveolar bone. Nitinol's superelasticity and shape memory effect make it ideal for manufacturing expansion devices.
9. Ophthalmology
Intraocular Implants: In some eye surgeries, intraocular implants made of nickel-titanium alloy, such as intraocular lenses, may be required. These implants are used to replace or supplement the natural lens to correct cataracts or other vision problems.
Ophthalmic Surgical Instruments: In ophthalmic surgery, some special surgical instruments may be required, such as corneal scalpels or corneal implants. The excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility of nickel-titanium alloys may make them one of the candidate materials for manufacturing these devices.
Ophthalmic Corrective Devices: Some ophthalmic corrective devices, such as retinal imaging devices or tonometers, may use nickel-titanium alloy components to provide structural support and stability.
Implantable Ophthalmic Devices: In addition to intraocular implants, nickel-titanium alloys may also be used to manufacture other types of implantable medical devices, such as corneal implants or glaucoma treatment devices.
Ophthalmic Research Equipment: In ophthalmic research, some special experimental equipment or tools may be needed, such as eye trackers or intraocular pressure measuring devices. The mechanical properties and stability of NiTi alloys may make it one of the choices for manufacturing these devices.
