Abstract: A medical device such as a stent, surgical staple, bone anchoring device or bone fixation device, intended to be deployed within the body, composes a shape memory alloy (SMA) portion with an austenitic and unaustenitic state with different memorized configurations in each of these states. The SMA which is initially in an initial configuration in which it can be placed into position within the body, can be mechanically deformed into an operational configuration in which it remains deployed within the body.

Abstract: A process is provided for the manufacture of a two-way shape memory alloy and device. The process of the invention allows a reversible adjustment of the characteristic transformation temperatures, as well as the direction of the two-way shape memory effect, at the final stage of manufacture.

Abstract: A medical device which comprises a shape memory alloy (SMA) portion which is deformable from an undeformed first configuration assumed by it in an austenitic state of the SMA to a deformed second configuration, whereby the SMA is converted into a strain-induced martensite or partial martensite. This conversion increases the temperature of transformation (A.sub.s) from an initial transformation temperature A.sub.s .degree. to a temperature A.sub.s '. When the SMA, once in the second configuration, is heated to a temperature higher than A.sub.s ', it transforms to an at least partial austenite and it transforms towards the undeformed first configuration with a decrease of A.sub.s from A.sub.s ' to A.sub.s .degree.. A.sub.s .degree.

Abstract: A stent adapted for placing in the urethra so as to retain the urethra's diameter above a critical level is provided. The stent comprises:a spiral band made of a two-way shape memory alloy having two memory states consisting of a first state in which said alloy is soft and substantially deformable and a second state in which the alloy has super elastic properties and is substantially non-deformable, the alloy changes from the fast state to the second state at a first transition temperature being above physiological body temperature and changes from the second to the first state at a second transition temperature being below physiological body temperature; in the second state consecutive windings of the band are adjacent one another so that they form together essentially a continuous cylindrical tube of a diameter above said critical level; in the first state the band forms a coiled structure having a maximal external diameter such so as to allow deployment of stent within the urethra.

Abstract: A process is provided for the manufacture of a two-way shape memory alloy and device. The process of the invention allows a reversible adjustment of the characteristic transformation temperatures, as well as the direction of the two-way shape memory effect, at the final stage of manufacture.

Abstract: A stent for placing in a tubular organ so as to support its diameter to remain above a critical diameter. The stent comprises a spiral coil or cylinder made of a two-way shape memory alloy and has a super-elastic state in which the stent's diameter is at least about the critical diameter or more but within a physiological range tolerated by the organ and having a soft state in which the stent's diameter, after changing to this state from the super-elastic state, which is less than the critical diameter. The shape memory alloy has two transition temperatures being within a range that will not damage biological tissue, of which a first transition temperature is a temperature in which it changes from the soft state to the super-elastic state and of which a second transition temperature is a temperature in which it changes from the super-elastic state to the soft state. The arrangement being such that after changing into one of the two states, the stent remains in that state at body temperature.