Fatigue-resistant nickel-titanium alloys and medical devices using same
US9272376B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 15, 2013 |
| Grant date | Mar 1, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 9, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49863
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Superelastic and/or shape memory nickel-titanium alloys having an increased fatigue life that is superior to known nickel-titanium alloys are disclosed. The nickel-titanium alloys have a minimum fatigue life that may be at least about 10 million strain cycles at a strain greater than about 0.75%. The minimum fatigue life may be due, at least in part, to the nickel-titanium alloy having at least one of an oxygen concentration of less than about 200 ppm, a carbon concentration of less than about 200 ppm, the absence of oxide-based and/or carbide-based inclusions having a size greater than about 5 microns (μm), the presence of an R-phase, or combinations of the foregoing. Articles manufactured from such fatigue-resistant nickel-titanium alloys can be more durable because they are more resistant to repetitive strain and crack propagation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.