The New Star Material in the Medical Field: Nitinol
Introduction
Nitinol, a revolutionary material in the medical field, is gaining attention for its unique properties, including superelasticity and shape memory. These characteristics make it ideal for manufacturing various medical devices, particularly bone implants such as plates, nails, and screws. This blog explores the advancements in Nitinol’s application, highlighting its growing importance in improving patient outcomes and driving innovation in medical technologies. For further insights, read more about the full capabilities of Nitinol in the medical industry.
Nitinol is a special metal alloy consisting of two elements: nickel (Ni) and titanium (Ti). Its name, “Nitinol,” combines its composition and place of discovery, the Naval Ordnance Laboratory in Maryland, USA (Ni-Ti-NOL).
Nitinol has two remarkable properties: shape memory and superelasticity. These properties make it useful in various engineering applications and medical fields.
Superelasticity
Superelasticity: Nitinol has superelasticity, which allows it to return to its original shape even after large deformations. This makes it helpful in manufacturing medical devices and implants that need to withstand deformation and return to their original shape, such as stents and implants.
Shape Memory Effect
Shape Memory Effect: Nitinol has a shape memory effect, meaning it can remember and return to a predefined shape at a specific temperature. Manufacturers use it to adapt to different temperatures and shapes within the body, making it suitable for medical devices and implants that require adaptability, such as stents, implants, and catheters.
Biocompatibility
Biocompatibility: Nitinol is compatible with human tissue without causing significant rejection or allergic reactions. This makes it safe to manufacture various implants and medical devices, such as implants, stents, catheters, etc.
Corrosion Resistance (Corrosion Resistance)
Corrosion Resistance: Nitinol has good corrosion resistance and can remain stable in the body for long periods without being corroded by body fluids or tissues. This allows it to manufacture long-term implants and medical devices such as cardiac stents and orthopedic implants.
High Strength and Lightweight (HSPL)
High Strength and Lightweight: Nitinol is a high-strength and lightweight alloy that provides sufficient strength while keeping devices and implants lightweight. This makes it helpful in manufacturing medical devices and implants that require strength and lightweight.
These properties of Nitinol make it widely used in the medical field to manufacture stents, implants, catheters, and other medical devices. Engineers use it in various applications such as aerospace, automotive, eyeglass frames, and specialized fields like temperature controllers and intelligent materials.
The following is a short description of the application of this material in the medical field.
1. Cardiovascular
Stents: Cardiovascular stents are metal mesh structures that expand and support blood vessels. Nitinol alloys exhibit superelasticity and the shape memory effect, allowing them to compress the stent to a smaller diameter during insertion and return to its original shape once released, ensuring the supporting vessel remains open.
Guidewires and Catheters: In interventional cardiac procedures, doctors use catheters and guidewires to guide and position other devices, such as stents and balloons. The superelasticity and shape memory of nickel-titanium alloys allows catheters and guidewires to travel inside blood vessels and return to their pre-designed shape when needed.
Thrombectomy Devices: These devices remove blood clots from blood vessels. The superelasticity and shape memory of the Nitinol alloy allow the Thrombectomy Devices to travel through the blood vessel and adapt to different vessel shapes, thus removing blood clots more efficiently.
Heart Valves: Nitinol makes some heart valves, supporting and enhancing their function. Doctors can implant these valves through interventional procedures to treat heart valve disease.
Aneurysm Repair: Doctors also use Nitinol alloys to repair aneurysms, which are localized swellings of the blood vessel wall. Stents and other shape memory devices can also support and repair blood vessel walls.
2. Peripheral Vascular
Peripheral Vascular Stents: Similar to cardiac stents, peripheral vascular stents treat peripheral arterial disease, such as narrowing or occlusion of leg arteries. The superelasticity and shape memory effects of Nitinol stents allow them to adapt to the shape of the blood vessel and keep it open.
Aneurysm Repair: Repair of peripheral aneurysms, such as abdominal aortic aneurysms, often requires using stents or other devices to support and repair the artery wall. Nitinol stents can provide the needed support and help prevent rupture of the aneurysm.
Guidewires and Catheters: In peripheral vascular interventions, clinicians use catheters and guidewires to guide and position devices like balloon expanders or stents. Nitinol’s superelasticity and shape memory effects allow catheters and guidewires to navigate through narrow and tortuous vessels.
Peripheral Artery Occlusion Treatment: Medical professionals commonly use Nitinol stents and balloon expanders to treat peripheral artery occlusions and restore blood flow.
Endovascular Interventions: In peripheral endovascular procedures, Nitinol’s superelasticity and shape memory effects allow the interventionalist to more easily manipulate and position the treatment device to remove plaque or blood clots from the artery.
3. Cerebrovascular
Cerebral Aneurysm Repair (Cerebral Aneurysm Repair): Cerebral aneurysm is a dangerous condition in the cerebral vascular system that can lead to bleeding or rupture. Doctors can insert Nitinol stents and spiral devices through a blood vessel and deploy them inside the cerebral aneurysm to support the vessel wall and reduce the risk of further expansion.
Treatment of Cerebral Arterial Stenosis: Stenosis of the cerebral arteries can lead to dangerous conditions such as ischaemic stroke. Devices such as Nitinol stents and balloon dilators can treat cerebral arterial stenosis by dilating the blood vessels and restoring normal blood flow.
Aneurysm Embolisation: This interventional procedure blocks blood flow to a brain aneurysm and reduces the risk of rupture. The superelasticity of the Nitinol alloy allows the implanted spiral device to fill the aneurysm and prevent blood from entering it.
Angioplasty: Doctors commonly use Nitinol balloon dilators to improve blood flow by dilating narrowed blood vessels in cerebral angioplasty.
Endovascular Aneurysm Treatment: This interventional procedure uses a catheter and a Nitinol stent to manage cerebral aneurysms.
4. Electrophysiology
Electrode Leads: Nitinol may make electrode leads for pacemakers and defibrillators. These lead wires must be flexible and durable to maintain stable contact with cardiac tissue for long periods and provide reliable control of cardiac rhythms.
Neurostimulators: Researchers and surgeons may use NiTi alloys for electrodes or other neurostimulator components in neuroscience and neurosurgery. These devices treat chronic pain, Parkinson’s disease, and other conditions and, therefore, need to be compatible with neural tissues and have appropriate flexibility and stability.
Electrophysiology Research Equipment: In scientific research, researchers may use Nitinol to create electrophysiology equipment, such as microelectrodes or other probes, to record neuronal activity. These devices must maintain high sensitivity and stability to measure bioelectrical signals accurately.
5. Gastroenterology
Esophageal Stents: Nickel-titanium alloy stents treat conditions such as esophageal strictures or cancer. Doctors insert them endoscopically and deploy them to support the dilated esophagus, helping to restore oesophageal patency.
Gastrointestinal Stents: Like esophageal stents, Nitinol stents treat gastrointestinal stenosis, obstruction, or cancer. Doctors can insert these stents endoscopically or via a percutaneous route to support and dilate the appropriate part of the gastrointestinal tract.
Gastrointestinal Closure Devices: Nitinol can create closures in gastrointestinal surgery by suiting or pinching tissues for surgical closure and anastomosis.
Gastrointestinal Probes: In endoscopy or surgery, manufacturers may use Nitinol to create probes, such as biopsy or therapeutic probes, to obtain samples or perform therapeutic procedures.
Intestinal Molds: In treating certain intestinal disorders, medical professionals may use molds made of Nitinol to shape the intestinal structure, promote healing, or prevent strictures.
6. Urology
Urethral Stents (Urethral Stents): Nitinol can treat urethral strictures or obstructions. They are inserted through the urethra and deployed to support and expand it and help maintain urethral patency.
Nephroscopes and Stone Retrieval Baskets: Nitinol may fabricate nephroscopes or stone retrieval baskets to examine and remove intra-renal stones during kidney stone surgery.
Bladder Stents: Nitinol may expand and support bladder passages when treating bladder strictures or obstructions.
Urological Probes: Doctors may use Nitinol probes, such as biopsy or therapeutic probes, to obtain samples or perform therapeutic procedures during urological examinations or surgeries.
Artificial Urinary Sphincter: To restore urinary control and treat urinary incontinence or urethral sphincter dysfunction, doctors may implant an artificial urethral sphincter made of Nitinol.
7. Orthopaedics
Bone Implants: Manufacturers commonly use Nitinol to make bone implants such as bone plates, nails, and screws. These implants can treat fractures, bone fractures, or defects, provide stability and support, and promote bone healing.
External Fixators: Nickel-titanium alloys may be used to construct the components of external fixators, providing strength and durability while stabilizing severe fractures or bone breaks through an external framework and promoting healing.
Vertebral Screws: Vertebral screws used in spinal surgery may be made of Nitinol. These screws are implanted into the spine and are used to hold the vertebral bones in place to stabilize the vertebrae and promote spinal healing.
Joint Replacement Implants: In joint replacement surgery, Nitinol may be used to make joint implants, such as artificial hips or knees. These implants can rebuild damaged joints, provide motor function, and relieve pain.
Dental Implants: Manufacturers can use Nitinol to create dental implants that support artificial teeth or bridges. These implants can then be inserted into the alveolar bone, providing a solid foundation that mimics the function of natural teeth.
8. Dental
Orthodontic Appliances: Orthodontic appliances such as braces and arches are commonly manufactured using Nickel Titanium Alloy. Its shape memory and super-elastic properties allow manufacturers to create lighter and more comfortable aligners, providing longer-lasting strength to facilitate tooth movement and straightening.
Dental Implants: Dentists use implants as artificial tooth roots to replace missing teeth. They typically make these implants from nickel-titanium alloy, a biocompatible material strong enough to be implanted into the alveolar bone. The implant provides solid support for the crown and restores both the tooth’s function and aesthetics.
Endodontic Instruments: Manufacturers commonly use nickel-titanium alloy to produce endodontic instruments, which perform root canal treatments by removing infected tissue from the canal and filling it to preserve and restore the tooth.
Dental Surgical Instruments: Manufacturers may use Nitinol to produce surgical instruments such as alveolar bone cutters and bone-cutting saws for dental surgery. These instruments must be corrosion-resistant and durable for alveolar bone restoration or removal surgery.
Dental Expansion Appliances: Dental professionals may require expansion appliances to expand the dental arch or alveolar bone during treatment. Nickel-titanium alloys’ superelasticity and shape memory effects make them ideal for manufacturing expansion appliances.
9. Ophthalmology
Intraocular Implants: Some ophthalmic procedures may require intraocular implants, such as IOLs, made from NiTi alloys. These implants replace or supplement the natural lens to correct cataracts or other vision problems.
Ophthalmic Surgical Instruments: During eye surgery, surgeons may require specialized surgical instruments, such as corneal scalpels or implants. The excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility of Ni-Ti alloys may make them one of the candidates for manufacturing these instruments.
Ophthalmic Corrective Devices: Some ophthalmic corrective devices, such as retinal imaging or tonometers, may use Nitinol components to provide structural support and stability.
Implantable Medical Devices: In addition to intraocular implants, manufacturers may use Nitinol to create other implantable medical devices, such as corneal implants or glaucoma treatment devices.
Ophthalmic Research Equipment: In ophthalmic research, special experimental equipment or tools, such as eye trackers or intraocular pressure meters, may be necessary. The mechanical properties and stability of Ni-Ti alloys may make them suitable for manufacturing these devices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Nitinol’s exceptional properties, such as shape memory and superelasticity, make it an invaluable material in the medical field. Its ability to adapt to body temperature and return to predefined shapes ensures reliability and safety in devices such as stents, bone implants, and surgical tools. As research continues, Nitinol’s applications are expected to expand, offering even more significant advancements in medical technology and patient care. For further details, contact Golden Sunbird Metals at [email protected].