824 results about "Nickel titanium" patented technology

Spinal stabilization devices and their methods of insertion and use to treat degenerated lumbar, thoracic or cervical spinal discs in minimally invasive, outpatient procedures are described. In one embodiment, the spinal stabilization device is an expandable cage made of a coil or perforated cylindrical tube with a bulbous or bullet-shaped distal end and a flat or rounded proximal end. In a preferred embodiment, the spinal stabilization device is mechanically expanded to a larger diameter or is made of a superelastic nickel-titanium alloy which is thermally programmed to expand to a relatively larger diameter when a pre-determined transition temperature below body temperature is reached. To treat a degenerated disc, a guide wire is inserted into the disc and an endoscope is inserted through a posterolateral puncture in the back and advanced up to the facet of the spine. Mechanical tools or laser energy, under endoscopic visualization, are used to remove or vaporize a portion of the facet bone, creating an opening into the foraminal space in the spine for insertion of an endoscope, which enables the disc, vertebra and nerves to be seen. The passageway is expanded, mechanical tools or laser of RF energy are used to make a tunnel into the disc, and a delivery cannula is inserted up to the opening of the tunnel. An insertion tool is used to insert one or more spinal stabilization devices into the tunnel in the disc, preserving the mobility of the spine, while maintaining the proper space between the vertebra. Laser or radio frequency (RF) energy is used to coagulate bleeding, vaporize or remove debris and shrink the annulus of the disc to close, at least partially, the tunnel made in the disc.

An orthopedic device is described for stabilizing the spinal column between first and second vertebral bodies. The device has first and second screws adapted for fixation to the first and second vertebral bodies, respectively. The device further includes an elongated ligament with a first end connected to the first screw and the second end operatively connected with the second screw. The ligament is made preferably of a nickel titanium alloy selected to have ductile inelastic properties at body temperature and is capable of continuous plastic deformation to allow relative constrained motion between the vertebral bodies. In a preferred embodiment the second pedicle screw includes a bearing for receiving the ligament in a slideably engageable relationship. The device further includes optional first and second dampening members surrounding the ligament for restraining the spinal column during flexion and extension. Other preferred devices and kits containing such devices are also described.

An orthopedic device is described for stabilizing the spinal column between first and second vertebral bodies. The device has first and second anchors adapted for fixation to the first and second vertebral bodies, respectively. The device further includes an elongated bridge with first and second ends operatively connected to the first and second anchors, respectively. The bridge contains an implantable ligament made preferably of a nickel titanium alloy selected to have inelastic properties at body temperature, wherein the bridge is capable of continuous plastic deformation to allow relative constrained motion between the vertebral bodies. In a preferred embodiment the device further includes a dampening member surrounding the ligament, which may be a wire, tube or band. In another preferred embodiment the device includes rigid rod members each correspondingly retained with either end of the ligament, and independently attached to the vertebral bodies with anchors. The rigid rod members are correspondingly connected to either end of the ligament. In yet another preferred embodiment, the device includes plate segments correspondingly retained with either end of the ligament, and independently attached to the vertebral bodies with a plurality of anchors. Other preferred devices and kits containing such devices are also described.

An electro-polishing fixture for polishing stents which incorporates multiple anodes in contact with the stent and a center cathode disposed coaxially within the interior of the stent and a curved exterior cathode disposed about the perimeter of the stent. The invention further includes an electrolyte solution adapted for polishing stents composed of nickel-titanium alloy and a method of using the electrolyte in combination with the electro-polishing fixture.

A device for capturing an embolus within a vessel of a patient's body has at least one helix made of a mesh material. The at least one helix has a plurality of turns helically arranged around a longitudinal axis. The mesh material has a plurality of pores therein and the pores have a size ≧120 μm. The at least one helix includes a plurality of panels wherein the panels are movable from a collapsed state to an expanded state when placed within a vessel. The mesh material is made of a self-expanding material such as nickel titanium in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the device has a double helix arrangement.

The present invention includes a coiled wire formed of a shape memory material for implantation into an anatomical defect. After implantation of one or more of the coiled wires according to the present invention, the defect is occluded and thereby corrected or treated. Prior to implantation, the coiled wire is generally elongated and thereafter it reverts to a predetermined shape that is suitable for occluding the defect. At least one clip having at least two prongs may be provided on the wire for attachment to body tissue. Preferably the wire is made of nickel-titanium. In an alternative embodiment, the coil includes a plurality of layers. At least one of these layers is formed of a shape memory material.

An implantable medical device includes a structural body made from a superelastic material and includes one or more marker holders integrally formed on the structural body. Each marker holder is designed to hold a radiopaque marker which has a level of radiopacity greater than the superelastic material. The radiopaque marker can be made from a nickel-titanium alloy which includes a ternary element. The ternary element can be selected from the group of elements consisting of iridium, platinum, gold, rhenium, tungsten, palladium, rhodium, tantalum, silver, ruthenium, and hafnium. In one form, the marker holder includes a pair of projecting fingers connected together at a notched region to cooperatively create a particular-shaped opening. This opening, in turn, is adapted to receive a similarly shaped portion formed on the radiopaque marker. In one form, the radiopaque marker includes an inner core which is partially, or completely, encased by an outer layer. This inner core can be made from a highly radiopaque material while the outer layer is formed from a material that is easier to weld to the marker.

The invention relates to a novel percutaneous aortic valve and pulmonary valve exchanger, which is a self-expand support with biological valve, formed by the support in special shape and made from nickel titanium alloy skeleton and the three-blade one-way opening valve formed by pig heart, wherein, the support has fixing and supporting functions, and the pig heart forms three valves fixed in the support. The invention has little hurt, high safety and reduced complication.

Certain example embodiments relate to a coated article including at least one infrared (IR) reflecting layer of a material such as silver or the like in a low-E coating, and methods of making the same. In certain cases, at least one layer of the coating is of or includes nickel and/or titanium (e.g., NixTiyOz). The provision of a layer including nickel titanium and/or an oxide thereof may permit a layer to be used that has good adhesion to the IR reflecting layer, and reduced absorption of visible light (resulting in a coated article with a higher visible transmission). When a layer including nickel titanium oxide is provided directly over and/or under the IR reflecting layer (e.g., as a barrier layer), this may result in improved chemical and mechanical durability. Thus, visible transmission may be improved if desired, without compromising durability; or, durability may simply be increased.

A tube having a distal end portion made of a curved, flexible, shape retentive material such as superelastic, nickel-titanium memory metal alloy which has been heat-treated to retain a desired curved shape. The tube translates within and is constrained by a rigid sleeve, which may alternately be an instrument channel of an endoscope. When the distal end portion of the tube is extended from the sleeve, it returns to its original curved shape. Markings about the proximal and, or distal end portions of the tube enable the operator to know to what extent the distal end portion of the tube has been extended from the sleeve even when the distal end portion of the tube is not visible. The tube may be used for supporting and activating a cutting, abrading, coagulating, shrinking, or vaporizing device that is brought near or into contact with a tissue surface.

A process for assembling a medical device made from a nickel-titanium alloy for use in a mammalian body while avoiding the formation of stress-induced martensite and a medical device used in combination with a delivery system for deployment into the mammalian body are disclosed. By heating the nickel-titanium alloy of the medical device to a temperature above M_d, and deforming and installing the device into a delivery system or holding capsule, it is possible to avoid the formation of stress-induced martensite in the stent, which stays in the austenitic phase throughout.

Disclosed is a system and method for treating mal-alignment of teeth using super-elastic nickel titanium, heat activated nickel titanium coated or uncoated orthodontic wires with composite resins in order to effectuate desired tooth alignment. The composite resin is formed into beads that hold the wire in place preferably on the lingual surface of the teeth. Alternate embodiments using composite brackets are disclosed. The overall purpose of this invention is to provide a close contact, low profile orthodontic system, in particular, a lingual orthodontic system that is significantly more comfortable than existing orthodontic systems, completely concealed and effective.

Certain example embodiments relate to a coated article including at least one infrared (IR) reflecting layer of a material such as silver or the like in a low-E coating, and methods of making the same. In certain cases, at least one layer of the coating is of or includes nickel and/or titanium (e.g., Ni_xTi_yO_z). The provision of a layer including nickel titanium and/or an oxide thereof may permit a layer to be used that has good adhesion to the IR reflecting layer, and reduced absorption of visible light (resulting in a coated article with a higher visible transmission). When a layer including nickel titanium oxide is provided directly over and/or under the IR reflecting layer (e.g., as a barrier layer), this may result in improved chemical and mechanical durability. Thus, visible transmission may be improved if desired, without compromising durability; or, durability may simply be increased.

A radiopaque nitinol medical device such as a stent for use with or implantation in a body lumen is disclosed. The stent is made from a superelastic alloy such as nickel-titanium or nitinol, and includes a ternary element selected from the group of chemical elements consisting of iridium, platinum, gold, rhenium, tungsten, palladium, rhodium, tantalum, silver, ruthenium, or hafnium. The added ternary element improves the radiopacity of the nitinol stent comparable to that of a stainless steel stent of the same size and strut pattern coated with a thin layer of gold. The nitinol stent has improved radiopacity yet retains its superelastic and shape memory behavior and further maintains a thin strut/wall thickness for high flexibility.

Methods for making devices include providing a tubular member to be formed into a device, placing a removable sacrificial block material in the lumen of the tubular member and laser cutting the tubular member. A doping material can be added to the melted portion of the tubular member to promote the formation of brittle slag. A fixture can be used to hold a cut workpiece in order to ream sacrificial material from the surface of the workpiece. Pressurized gas can be supplied to the inner lumen of the tubular member to cause slag to form on the outside surface, rather than the inner surface, of the tubular member. A tubular member made from nickel-titanium alloy can be tightly adhered to a sacrificial sleeve utilizing the phase changes associated with nickel-titanium. A rotating mandrel can be placed within the lumen of the tubular member during laser cutting. A mandrel which includes an enlarged diameter section causes the workpiece to expand slightly within its elastic deformation range to dislodge islands from the workpiece. Such a mandrel could be formed from a tubular member which has a central lumen that can be used to deliver a pressurized medium to “blast” islands from the workpiece.

An antenna implantable through minimally invasive techniques, preferably comprising a coil with conductive probes is provided. The antenna is preferably superelastic nickel-titanium having an insulative coating. The antenna may conduct a signal originating from a device external to the body of the implantee, or from another implanted device connected to the antenna depending on whether the antenna is employed for sending, receiving, or transceiving signals. Signals may contain data, operational commands, and may be used to transfer power. The implantable antenna may be connected to another implanted device, such as a blood pressure monitor, or may be implanted as a stand-alone device for purposes such as stimulating tissue.

The vasoocclusive apparatus can be used in a method of interventional therapy and vascular surgery by inserting the apparatus into a portion of a vasculature, for treatment of a body vessel such as an aneurysm in conjunction with a secondary vasoocclusive device to be placed within the vessel. The vasoocclusiveVasooclusive apparatus includes a plurality of strut members connected together at a central hub that extend from a collapsed position to an expanded configuration to cross the neck of the aneurysm, dividing the neck into smaller openings, allowing the deployment of the secondary vasoocclusive device within the aneurysm but preventing migration of the secondary vasoocclusive device from the aneurysm. The strut members can be made from a twisted cable of strands of a superelastic material, such as a shape memory nickel titanium alloy, with at least one radiopaque strand. A shape memory collar is provided for detachably mounting the vasoocclusive apparatus to a pusher member and for detaching the vasoocclusive apparatus for deployment when a desired placement within an aneurysm to be treated and out of a parent vessel is achieved.

The vasoocclusive coil has a primary coil configuration with a helical loop at at least one end. The terminal helical loop can have a J-shaped configuration, preferably with a loop diameter of about 2 mm. The coil is preferably provided with helical loops at both ends, with helical loop at the proximal and distal ends of the coil acting as an anchor to prevent the coil from coming free from the location being treated and escaping into the vasculature. In a presently preferred embodiment both ends of the coil have a J-shape. In another presently preferred aspect, the vasoocclusive coil includes one or more loops intermediate the ends of the coil. The device is formed from a multi-stranded micro-cable having a plurality of flexible strands of a shape memory material and at least one radiopaque strand. The strands can be made of a shape memory nickel titanium alloy, that is highly flexible at a temperature appropriate for introduction into the body via a catheter, and that after placement will take on the therapeutic shape.

Disclosed herein is a nickel-titanium alloy comprising nickel, titanium, and at least one rare earth element. The nickel-titanium alloy comprises from about 34 at. % to about 60 at. % nickel, from about 34 at. % to about 60 at. % titanium, and from about 0.1 at. % to about 15 at. % at least one rare earth element. The nickel-titanium alloy may further include one or more additional alloying elements. In addition to radiopacity, the nickel-titanium alloy preferably exhibits superelastic or shape memory behavior. Medical devices comprising the nickel-titanium alloy and a method of making them are also disclosed.