Shape memory alloys in minimally invasive therapy

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Abstract
Summary Shape memory alloys are ideally suited to minimally invasive therapy, as their shape memory and superelastic properties facilitate entry through a narrow aperture before ‘expansion’ into predetermined shapes. An increasing number of shape memory alloy devices are being designed and patented although as yet they have made little impact on minimal invasive therapeutic procedures due to the complexities of effective thermal processing and accurate transformation. Within the next few years shape memory alloy technology is likely to make a big impact on laparoscopic, endovascular and endo-scopic surgical practice.