Abstract: The method for improvement of Nitinol fatigue fracture resistance may be accomplished by electropolishing or magnetoelectropolishing under oxygen evolution regime, and by anodizing or magnetoanodizing the intermetallic compound. All four processes are performed under an oxygen evolution regime and by these processes the outermost and subsequent underlying oxide layers are enriched with oxygen which saturates, fills oxygen vacancies and bridges surface oxide lattice defects making the passive oxide layer more stoichiometric and homogenous, elastic and, as a result of the oxygen enrichment, more fatigue fracture resistant.

Abstract: The method for improvement of Nitinol fatigue fracture resistance may be accomplished by electropolishing or magnetoelectropolishing under oxygen evolution regime, and by anodizing or magnetoanodizing the intermetallic compound. All four processes are performed under an oxygen evolution regime and by these processes the outermost and subsequent underlying oxide layers are enriched with oxygen which saturates, fills oxygen vacancies and bridges surface oxide lattice defects making the passive oxide layer more stoichiometric and homogenous, elastic and, as a result of the oxygen enrichment, more fatigue fracture resistant.

Abstract: The current invention provides novel nitinol alloys, particularly, nitinol alloys containing a third metallic element referred to as ternary nitinol alloys. Accordingly, the current invention provides nitinol alloys including, but not limited to, Nickel-Titanium-Chromium (NiTiCr) and Nickel-Titanium-Tantalum (NiTiTa). The current invention also provides implants manufactured from the ternary nitinol alloys. The implants comprise the ternary nitinol alloys and are, optionally, surface treated to promote anti-thrombogenicity and biocompatibility, for example, through magnetoelectropolishing (MEP). Accordingly, the current invention provides nitinol alloys and implants comprising the nitinol alloys that reduce the risk of clotting due to stagnant blood flow, eliminate flushing, and minimize infection and damage to blood vessels.

Abstract: The method for surface inclusions detection, enhancement of endothelial and osteoblast cells adhesion and proliferation and sterilization of electropolished and magnetoelectropolished Nitinol implantable medical device surfaces uses an aqueous solution of chemical compounds containing halogenous oxyanions as hypochlorite (ClO?) and hypobromite (BrO?) preferentially 6% sodium hypochlorite (NaClO).

Abstract: The method for surface inclusions detection in wrought and finished Nitinol products by immersing them in aqueous solution of 1% to 12%, and preferably 6%, sodium hypochlorite at room temperature of around 25° C. for specific period of time, preferably 15 minutes while checking for black flocculent precipitate developing on the surface indicating the presence of an inclusion. The presence of black flocculent precipitate indicates surface inclusions and lack of homogeneousness of material.

Abstract: The method for surface inclusions detection, enhancement of endothelial and osteoblast cells adhesion and proliferation and sterilization of electropolished and magnetoelectropolished Nitinol implantable medical device surfaces uses an aqueous solution of chemical compounds containing halogenous oxyanions as hypochlorite (ClO?) and hypobromite (BrO?) preferentially 6% sodium hypochlorite (NaClO).

Abstract: The method for surface inclusions detection in wrought and finished Nitinol products by immersing them in aqueous solution of 1% to 12% preferably 6% sodium hypochlorite in room temperature of around 25° C. for specify period of time preferably 15 minutes and checking for black flocculent precipitate developing on the surface in case of presence of inclusion. The black flocculent precipitate indicates surface inclusion or inclusions and indicates lack of homogeneousness of material.

Abstract: The electrolyte composition and electropolishing method for electropolishing surfaces of metals and their alloys, in particular surfaces of niobium, niobium containing alloys, tantalum, tantalum containing alloys is disclosed. The electrolyte composition comprises methanesulfonic acid and hydrofluoric acid. Said electrolyte composition make possible to electropolish niobium, niobium containing alloys, tantalum and tantalum containing alloys to the best quality ever by eliminating problems of hydrogen absorption and sulfur contamination o the workpieces.

Abstract: A process for electropolishing metals and metalloids and their alloys, intermetallic compounds, metal-matrix composites, carbides and nitrides in an electrolytic cell utilizing an externally applied magnetic force to enhance the dissolution process. The electropolishing process is maintained under oxygen evolution to achieve an electropolished surface of the work piece exhibiting reduced microroughness, better surface wetting and increased surface energy, reduced and more uniform corrosion resistance, minimization of external surface soiling and improved cleanability in shorter time periods.

Abstract: A process for electropolishing metals and metalloids and their alloys, intermetallic compounds, metal-matrix composites, carbides and nitrides in an electrolytic cell utilizing an externally applied magnetic force to enhance the dissolution process. The electropolishing process is maintained under oxygen evolution to achieve an electropolished surface of the work piece exhibiting reduced microroughness, better surface wetting and increased surface energy, reduced and more uniform corrosion resistance, minimization of external surface soiling and improved cleanability in shorter time periods.