A stent has a tubular shaped framework that includes a plurality of vertices that are each defined by a pair of struts. A plurality of induction responsive muscles are associated, respectively, with one of the plurality of vertices by being attached to each strut of a pair of struts. The induction responsive muscles have a relaxed state at body temperatures, and have a contracted state at an elevated temperature greater than body temperature. If the stent has an initial unsatisfactory implant orientation or position or other expansion irregularity, the application of an electromagnetic induction field may be applied to temporary 11 reduce the diameter of the stent to adjust its positioning and/or orientation.

A method for controlled unfolding of an intraocular lens (IOL) includes inserting a folded IOL into an eye and heating a shape memory alloy (SMA) ring included with the IOL to a temperature that is at least a transition temperature of the SMA ring. The transition temperature is above a body temperature. Heating the SMA ring causes the SMA ring to unfold the IOL.

A medical device, deployment systems and methods of use thereof are provided. The medical device includes at least one anchor element coupled to a device body. The anchor element has a first configuration disposed about an anchor axis and configured to pierce a body tissue wall. In a second configuration, the anchor elements have an enlarged shape, and in response to a temperature rise in the anchor element, the pierced body tissue wall is drawn closer to the device body. The anchor element maintains alignment substantially with the anchor axis to inhibit tearing of the pierced body tissue wall by the anchor element. The system may include balloons for targeting the radial pressure of the anchor elements into the body vessel wall. The anchor elements may be made of shape memory materials capable of localized heating due to an induction device.

Disclosed herein are implant materials comprising a shape memory polymer having a first shape and a second shape. The shape memory polymer can comprise at least one monomer unit of glycerol and at least one monomer unit of dodecanedioate and a functionalized surface. The shape memory polymer can take the first shape at a first environmental temperature and the second shape at a second environmental temperature, the second environmental temperature being greater than the first environmental temperature. Also disclosed herein are methods of making the same.

A stent has a tubular shaped framework that includes a plurality of vertices that are each defined by a pair of struts. A plurality of induction responsive muscles are associated, respectively, with one of the plurality of vertices by being attached to each strut of a pair of struts. The induction responsive muscles have a relaxed state at body temperatures, and have a contracted state at an elevated temperature greater than body temperature. If the stent has an initial unsatisfactory implant orientation or position or other expansion irregularity, the application of an electromagnetic induction field may be applied to temporary 11 reduce the diameter of the stent to adjust its positioning and/or orientation.

A method of controllably deploying an endovascular device comprises delivering, into a body vessel, a Nitinol structural element comprising a variable austenite finish temperature A.sub.f(x) along a predetermined length (L) thereof, where 0<xL. The variable austenite finish temperature A.sub.f(x) increases or decreases monotonically as a function of x and lies above body temperature at any location along the predetermined length of the Nitinol structural element. During and/or after delivery into the body vessel, the Nitinol structural element is heated above body temperature. As a temperature of the Nitinol structural element reaches A.sub.f(x) at each location along the predetermined length, the Nitinol structural element recovers a pre-set shape at the respective location, and the endovascular device is controllably deployed.

A selectively expandable breast implant and method for tissue expansion are provided herein. The implant includes a flexible shell, an expandable material inside the flexible shell, and a plurality of closed conducting loops within the expandable material. The closed conducting loops absorb energy from a varying magnetic field external to the implant and generate heat, to heat the surrounding expandable material, and the expandable material expands in size based on the amount of heat generated by the closed conducting loops. The expandable material comprises a plurality of expandable microspheres that expands in response to the heat created by the closed conducting loops. The heat induction mechanism enables the closed conducting loops to generate heat for expansion of the expandable material in the implant. The implant can expand uniformly or in areas designated for selective shaping.

A medical device, deployment systems and methods of use thereof are provided. The medical device includes at least one anchor element coupled to a stent frame. The anchor element has a first configuration disposed about an anchor axis and configured to pierce a body tissue wall. In a second configuration, the anchor elements have an enlarged shape, and in response to a temperature rise in the anchor element, the pierced body tissue wall is drawn closer to the stent frame. The anchor element maintains alignment substantially with the anchor axis to inhibit tearing of the pierced body tissue wall by the anchor element. The system may include balloons for targeting the radial pressure of the anchor elements into the body vessel wall. The anchor elements may be made of shape memory materials capable of localized heating due to an induction device.

A medical device, deployment systems and methods of use thereof are provided. The medical device includes at least one anchor element coupled to a device body. The anchor element has a first configuration disposed about an anchor axis and configured to pierce a body tissue wall. In a second configuration, the anchor elements have an enlarged shape, and in response to a temperature rise in the anchor element, the pierced body tissue wall is drawn closer to the device body. The anchor element maintains alignment substantially with the anchor axis to inhibit tearing of the pierced body tissue wall by the anchor element. The system may include balloons for targeting the radial pressure of the anchor elements into the body vessel wall. The anchor elements may be made of shape memory materials capable of localized heating due to an induction device.

A selectively expandable breast implant and method for tissue expansion are provided herein. The implant includes a flexible shell, an expandable material inside the flexible shell, and a plurality of closed conducting loops within the expandable material. The closed conducting loops absorb energy from a varying magnetic field external to the implant and generate heat, to heat the surrounding expandable material, and the expandable material expands in size based on the amount of heat generated by the closed conducting loops. The expandable material comprises a plurality of expandable microspheres that expands in response to the heat created by the closed conducting loops. The heat induction mechanism enables the closed conducting loops to generate heat for expansion of the expandable material in the implant. The implant can expand uniformly or in areas designated for selective shaping.