A device includes a capsule extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a channel extending therethrough. The capsule is releasably coupled to a proximal portion of the device. Device also includes a first arm rigidly fixed to the distal end of the capsule to extend distally therefrom. In addition, Device includes a second arm, a proximal end of which is slidably received within the capsule so that the second arm is movable between an open configuration, in which the second arm is moved laterally away from the first arm and a distal end of the second arm is moved distally past the distal end of the first arm, and a closed configuration, in which the second arm is moved toward the first arm and the distal end of the second arm is moved proximally toward the distal end of the first arm.

Disclosed herein is a composite comprising a metal alloy matrix; where the metal alloy matrix comprises aluminum in an amount greater than 50 atomic percent; a first metal and a second metal; where the first metal is different from the second metal; and where the metal alloy matrix comprises a low temperature melting phase and a high temperature melting phase; where the low temperature melting phase melts at a temperature that is lower than the high temperature melting phase; and a contracting constituent; where the contracting constituent exerts a compressive force on the metal alloy matrix at a temperature between a melting point of the low temperature melting phase and a melting point of the high temperature melting phase or below the melting points of the high and low temperature melting phases.

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.

Soft embolic implants exhibiting secondary shapes are disclosed. Some of the embolic implants exhibit progressively increasing softness from the distal end to the proximal end of the coil. The embolic implants have a primary coil, an optional second coil, a shape wire, and a stretch resistant fiber disposed in the lumen of the primary coil. An optional distal support wire is also disclosed. The embolic implants include a proximal constraint assembly configured to be releaseably retained by a delivery device. Disposed near each end of some of the implants are elliptical hole washers through which the shape wire and the stretch resistant fiber are threaded. The embolic implants have a primary, linear configuration for delivery through an implant tool, and a secondary configuration after deployment from the implant tool. The secondary shape can be J-shaped, helical, spherical, complex, or a combination of shapes.

A method for shaping a shape memory workpiece includes: providing a shape memory workpiece having a first diameter and a predetermined shaping temperature; arranging the shape memory workpiece on a shaping tool; heating the shape memory workpiece to the shaping temperature; first expansion of the shape memory workpiece to a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter; first changing of the temperature of the shape memory workpiece to an intermediate temperature below or above the shaping temperature; bringing the shape memory workpiece to the shaping temperature again; second expansion of the shape memory workpiece to a third diameter that is larger than the second diameter; ejecting the shape memory workpiece from the shaping tool; and final cooling of the shape memory workpiece to a cooling temperature below the intermediate temperature.

A shaping tool is also provided.

Soft embolic implants exhibiting secondary shapes are disclosed. Some of the embolic implants exhibit progressively increasing softness from the distal end to the proximal end of the coil. The embolic implants have a primary coil, an optional second coil, a shape wire, and a stretch resistant fiber disposed in the lumen of the primary coil. An optional distal support wire is also disclosed. The embolic implants include a proximal constraint assembly configured to be releaseably retained by a delivery device. Disposed near each end of some of the implants are elliptical hole washers through which the shape wire and the stretch resistant fiber are threaded. The embolic implants have a primary, linear configuration for delivery through an implant tool, and a secondary configuration after deployment from the implant tool. The secondary shape can be J-shaped, helical, spherical, complex, or a combination of shapes.

Method for treatment of timepiece components on a rack including the steps consisting in: equipping said rack with grippers made of the same shape memory alloy, and each arranged to return to a reference shape above a martensite finish temperature specific to said alloy; bringing said rack to a temperature higher than said martensite finish temperature; bringing said rack equipped with said grippers to a preparation temperature; loading said rack with a batch of said components to be treated; performing said treatment on said rack loaded with said batch; unloading said rack. Rack comprising grippers made of shape memory alloy, arranged to return to a reference shape above a martensite finish temperature specific to said alloy.

A group of substantially nickel-free beta-titanium alloys have shape memory and super-elastic properties suitable for, e.g., medical device applications. In particular, the present disclosure provides a titanium-based group of alloys including 16-20 at. % of hafnium, zirconium or a mixture thereof, 8-17 at. % niobium, and 0.25-6 at. % tin. This alloy group exhibits recoverable strains of at least 3.5% after axial, bending or torsional deformation. In some instances, the alloys have a capability to recover of more than 5% deformation strain. Niobium and tin are provided in the alloy to control beta phase stability, which enhances the ability of the materials to exhibit shape memory or super-elastic properties at a desired application temperature (e.g., body temperature). Hafnium and/or zirconium may be interchangeably added to increase the radiopacity of the material, and also contribute to the superelasticity of the material.

A system, method, and apparatus for an athlete to variably control the flexibility and stiffness parameters of a piece of athletic equipment to select a desired performance characteristic of the equipment based on the stiffness parameter. According to certain embodiments discussed herein, an item of sporting equipment may be embedded, impregnated, lined, or encased using nitinol components, wherein the nitinol components may themselves be treated using a specific method in order to achieve the desired transformation results, as described below.

A camera device in or on a vehicle includes a lens module, a driving module having at least one shape memory alloy wire, and a converting module. The camera device is connected to a control device and receives control signals from the control device. The control signal drives the lens module to move for purpose of automatic focusing by applying heat to energize or de-energize the length or shape of the shape memory alloy wire.