Nitinol for Medical Applications: A Brief Introduction to the Properties and Processing of Nickel Titanium Shape Memory Alloys and their Use in Stents

Shape memory alloys are remarkable materials that open up a wide range of uses. Nitinol, an alloy of nickel and titanium, is one of the most important of these materials. Some of its major applications are in medical devices where its unique properties allow minimally invasive surgery and implants to improve quality of life for millions of people. With the growing global population and increasing numbers of people able to access quality healthcare, the availability of advanced materials such as Nitinol is essential to allow continued progress in improving lives across the world. This article will review the discovery, material properties, processing methods and medical applications of Nitinol, with a special focus on stents for the treatment of arterial diseases, which constitute one of Nitinol’s major uses.