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.