An orthodontic bracket and archform system that uses friction-free mechanics are disclosed. The archform can have a male fastener that can be retained within an orthodontic bracket. The orthodontic bracket can have varying locking mechanism, such as deflectable tabs, springs, locking pins, and others, that can cooperate with features of the male fastener to prevent sliding between the archform and the bracket.

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing or modifying an endodontic instrument made from an NiTi alloy, comprising a heat-treatment. The invention further relates to an endodontic instrument, preferably obtained by the method, having superior properties with regard to cyclic fatigue resilience.

A method of a forming a hollow, drug-eluting nitinol stent includes shaping a composite wire into a stent pattern, wherein the composite wire includes an inner member, a nitinol intermediate member, and an outer member. After the composite wire is shaped into the stent pattern, the composite wire is heat treated to set the nitinol intermediate member in the stent pattern. After heat treatment, the composite wire is processed to remove the outer member and the inner member without adversely affecting the intermediate member. Openings may be provided through the intermediate member and the lumen of the intermediate member may be filled with a substance to be eluted through the openings.

Shapeable guide wire devices and methods for their manufacture. Guide wire devices include an elongate shaft member having a shapeable distal end section that is formed from a linear pseudoelastic nickel-titanium (NiTi) alloy that has linear pseudoelastic behavior without a phase transformation or onset of stress-induced martensite. Linear pseudoelastic NiTi alloy, which is distinct from non-linear pseudoelastic (i.e., superelastic) NiTi alloy, is highly durable, corrosion resistant, and has high stiffness. The shapeable distal end section is shapeable by a user to facilitate guiding the guide wire through tortuous anatomy. In addition, linear pseudoelastic NiTi alloy is more durable tip material than other shapeable tip materials such as stainless steel.

Methods and tools for forming contoured composite structures are disclosed. Methods include positioning a sheet of composite material relative to a structure of shape memory alloy, heating the structure of shape memory alloy to deform the structure of shape memory alloy to a deformed conformation and thereby conform the sheet of composite material to a desired contour corresponding to the deformed conformation of the structure of shape memory alloy. Tools include a structure of shape memory alloy and a heat source for heating the structure of shape memory alloy to conform a sheet of composite material to a desired contour corresponding to the deformed conformation of the structure of shape memory alloy.

Methods and tools for forming contoured composite structures are disclosed. Methods include positioning a sheet of composite material relative to a structure of shape memory alloy, heating the structure of shape memory alloy to deform the structure of shape memory alloy to a deformed conformation and thereby conform the sheet of composite material to a desired contour corresponding to the deformed conformation of the structure of shape memory alloy. Tools include a structure of shape memory alloy and a heat source for heating the structure of shape memory alloy to conform a sheet of composite material to a desired contour corresponding to the deformed conformation of the structure of shape memory alloy.

A self-limiting shaped memory alloy device, including a shape memory alloy member, with first and second ends, a first anchor member connected to the first end, an energy contact, a second anchor member connected to the energy contact, an energy source connected in energetic communication to the energy contact, a moveable member connected to the second end, and a biasing member operationally connected to the moveable member for urging the moveable member towards and into physical contact with the second anchor member. The moveable member is in physical contact with the second anchor member and the second end is in energetic communication with the energy contact. Actuation of the energy source energizes the energy contact. Energization of the shape memory alloy member initiates a phase change that urges the moveable member away from the second anchor member. Movement of the moveable member away from the second anchor member disengages the second end from the energy contact.

Methods of manufacturing biocompatible, corrosion resistant, self-adaptive, shape-memory titanium-based alloys by using specific ranges of elements in the alloy. Subsequent to melting, the alloy may undergo heat treating, thermo-mechanically processing, and training. Subsequent to training, the alloy has an ultra-low elastic modulus and exhibits self-adaptive, superelastic behavior.

A self-limiting shaped memory alloy device, including a shape memory alloy member, with first and second ends, a first anchor member connected to the first end, an energy contact, a second anchor member connected to the energy contact, an energy source connected in energetic communication to the energy contact, a moveable member connected to the second end, and a biasing member operationally connected to the moveable member for urging the moveable member towards and into physical contact with the second anchor member. The moveable member is in physical contact with the second anchor member and the second end is in energetic communication with the energy contact. Actuation of the energy source energizes the energy contact. Energization of the shape memory alloy member initiates a phase change that urges the moveable member away from the second anchor member. Movement of the moveable member away from the second anchor member disengages the second end from the energy contact.

There is provided a training system capable of performing work. The system has a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator exhibiting a generally planar transformational behavior. The system further has one or more heating elements for transforming the SMA actuator from an original shape to a trained shape, thereby performing work.