Abstract: Novel hybrid materials and fabrication methods thereof are provided. The novel hybrid materials can include a biodegradable polymer and a biodegradable metallic material. The hybrid material can also include a coupling agent between the biodegradable metallic material and the biodegradable polymer. A method of fabricating a hybrid material can include performing a surface treatment process on the biodegradable metallic material, and then either performing a solvent formation method or a thermal formation method.

Abstract: Novel hybrid materials and fabrication methods thereof are provided. The novel hybrid materials can include a biodegradable polymer and a biodegradable metallic material. The hybrid material can also include a coupling agent between the biodegradable metallic material and the biodegradable polymer. A method of fabricating a hybrid material can include performing a surface treatment process on the biodegradable metallic material, and then either performing a solvent formation method or a thermal formation method.

Abstract: A mechanism to connect the supporting portions of orthopaedic implants such as in the head, spine, upper limb and lower limb and thereby prevent loosening and fretting at the implant interface of an orthopaedic implant construct has been developed based on shape memory effect and super-elasticity of shape memory materials such as nickel-titanium (nitinol or NiTi) shape-memory-alloy, without the use of typical threaded fastening technique. Advantages are conferred by making the entire device, not just connecting pieces, out of shape memory alloy and having shape memory effect and super-elasticity. Heating the memory head of the device will compress the connection portion without the use of an auxiliary device (e.g. coupling member) so that the connection portion can be completely clamped down by the memory head.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a shape memory and/or super-elastic material, such as a nickel titanium alloy. Additionally or alternatively, the present invention relates to a super-elastic or pseudo-elastic material that has an initial transition temperature Af above a body temperature. The shape memory material can have a super-elasticity or pseudo-elasticity property at a temperature below the initial transition temperature Af of the material. For example, the shape memory material can have its workable temperature for producing super-elasticity or pseudo-elasticity of about 0° C. to 15° C. below the initial transition temperature Af. The shape memory material can be malleable at a room temperature, and become super-elastic or pseudo-elastic at a body temperature. In addition, the present invention relates to a method of making a shape memory or a super-elastic material.

Abstract: New porous shape memory materials with the use of different fabrication methods such as hot isostatic pressing technique are provided for biomedical and engineering applications. These new materials have a pseudoelasticity ranging from 0.1% to 50%. The mechanical properties of those materials can be adjusted from 1% to 10%. The pore distribution of these said materials is isotropic and homogenous, and their pore shapes can be tailor-made to be spherical or polygonal as avoiding stress concentration around the pores. The porosity and pore size can be controlled by fabrication process. These materials can exhibit superior pseudoelasticity and mechanical properties during testing than the other porous shape memory alloys fabricated by Self-propagating High-temperature Synthesis (SHS). These advance properties may apply to but not only limited to orthopaedic implants such as artificial bone graft, hip prosthesis and interverbal disc prosthesis; and also for engineering purpose such as damping devices.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for making surface treated shape memory materials such as from NiTi alloy using plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition and related ion-beam and plasma-based techniques to alter the surface properties of those materials primarily for biomedical applications. The surfaces are treated with nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon, but become bio-inactive after implanted with other elements such as silicon.