A shape memory actuator system and control methods thereof are provided that include a shape memory actuator having a body made of shape memory material, with individual power conductors interfaced with a first portion of the body, and one or more individual ground conductors interfaced with a second portion of the body. A power source provides power to the individual power conductors. One or more controllers are provided for pulse controlling or regionally controlling a resistive heating current connection sufficient to impart shape memory to the body or regions of the body between the individual power conductors and the one or more individual ground conductors with the provision that the ground conductors are physically separated from the individual power conductors. Structures of shape memory actuators and methods of control are also provided.

The present invention relates to a system and method for or forming an elongated length of SMA or NTE material wire for use in an engine core, said system comprising a heat source adapted to cooperate with a base support; a wire holder support having a cavity to define a mould; said heat source is to configured to receive the wire holder support to engage the base support; the wire holder support holds part of the SMA or NTE material wire in the cavity such that on heating the part of the SMA or NTE material wire causes the SMA or NTE material wire shape to change to match the shape of the cavity mould; and a cooling module configured to cool the wire holder support and the SMA or NTE material wire shape.

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a medical basket treatment tool. The method for manufacturing a medical basket treatment tool having one or more wire formed using an alloy containing two or more metals includes a heating process of performing heat treatment on a target portion of at least one wire among the wires one or more times, the heat treatment irradiating the target portion with a laser with an irradiation fluence of 10.sup.3 J/cm.sup.2 or more and heating the target portion to become a predetermined temperature lower than the solid solubility limit of the alloy.

The present invention relates to a system and method for or forming an elongated length of SMA or NTE material wire for use in an engine core, said system comprising a heat source adapted to cooperate with a base support; a wire holder support having a cavity to define a mould; said heat source is configured to receive the wire holder support to engage the base support; and the wire holder support holds part of the SMA or NTE material wire in the cavity such that on heating the part of the SMA or NTE material wire causes the SMA or NTE material wire shape to change to match the shape of the cavity mould.

Disclosed herein is a shape memory alloy comprising 48 to 50 atomic percent nickel, 15 to 30 atomic percent hafnium, 1 to 5 atomic percent aluminum; with the remainder being titanium. Disclosed herein too is a method of manufacturing a shape memory alloy comprising mixing together to form an alloy nickel, hafnium, aluminum and titanium in amounts of 48 to 50 atomic percent nickel, 15 to 30 atomic percent hafnium, 1 to 5 atomic percent aluminum; with the remainder being titanium; solution treating the alloy at a temperature of 700 to 1300 C. for 50 to 200 hours; and aging the alloy at a temperature of 400 to 800 C. for a time period of 50 to 200 hours to form a shape memory alloy.

Composite alloys comprising a first alloy portion comprising nickel and titanium and a second alloy portion comprising nickel and titanium in a different stoichiometry than the first alloy portion are disclosed, along with related methods of manufacture and use. Particularly, the composite alloys may be used in customized medical devices where a shape memory effect would be beneficial.

A method of forming an aircraft component includes providing an aluminum alloy. The method further includes mixing a shape memory alloy (SMA) with the aluminum alloy to form a combination of the SMA and the aluminum alloy. The method further includes forming the aircraft component with the combination of the SMA and the aluminum alloy.

Bone implant systems and methods of using them, including bone implants, bone anchors, precursors for bone anchors, methods for preparing bone anchors, methods for preparing bone anchor precursors, assemblies for inserting bone anchors, methods for preparing such assemblies, methods for using such assemblies to insert bone anchors, components for use in such assemblies, and substrates having the bone anchors secured therein. The bone implants may include a monolithic article made from a shape memory alloy.

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.

A telescopic apparatus comprises a first tube, a second tube, a movable member, and an actuator. The second tube is telescopically and movably coupled to the first tube. The movable member is movable relative to the first tube in a telescopic direction. The actuator is configured to be deformable so as to move the movable member relative to the first tube in the telescopic direction. The actuator is provided in at least one of the first tube and the second tube.