This paper presents a miniature wrist that can be integrated into needle-sized surgical instruments. The wrist consists of a nitinol tube with asymmetric cutouts that is actuated by a single tendon to provide high distal curvature. We derive and experimentally validate kinematic and static models for the wrist and describe several prototype wrists, illustrating the straightforward fabrication a...

Minimally invasive percutaneous techniques, staged as part of the combined treatment high stricture complications biliary tract, demonstrated efficiency in short term. On other hand, use self-expanding nitinol stents a definitive for non-tumor tract long-term life prognosis cannot be recommended routine intervention. The these cases can only justified absence alternative options, subject to fre...

Recently, numerous types of posterior dynamic stabilization (PDS) devices have been introduced as an alternative to the fusion devices for the surgical treatment of degenerative lumbar spine. It is hypothesized that the use of ‘compliant’ materials such as Nitinol (Ni–Ti alloy, elastic modulus = 75 GPa) or polyether-etherketone (PEEK, elastic modulus = 3.2 GPa) in PDS can restore stability of t...

PURPOSE To determine the technical efficacy and safety of a flared polyurethane-covered self-expandable nitinol stent in the management of malignant biliary obstruction and to evaluate its clinical efficacy by estimating stent patency and patient survival rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirteen patients with common bile duct strictures (nonhilar) caused by malignant disease were treated by plac...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Introduction of an instrument into the working channel of ureteroscopes adversely affects flow and deflection. We evaluated the alterations in ureteroscope channel flow and deflection caused by available Nitinol(R) baskets. MATERIALS AND METHODS We compared the effects of 11 Nitinol baskets on irrigation flow and deflection of three flexible ureteroscopes (Olympus P3, A...

The aim of this work is to describe and compare mechanical properties of eight widely used nickel-titanium orthodontic wires under uniform testing conditions and to determine the influence of the heat treatments on the loss of the superelasticity. Ten archwires from two batches from eight different manufacturers were evaluated. A three-point bending test was performed, in accordance with ISO 15...