Fabrication of self-expandable NiTi thin film devices with micro-electrode array for bioelectric sensing, stimulation and ablation.

Self-expandable medical devices provide mechanical functionality at a specific location of the human body and are viable for minimal invasive procedures. Besides radiopaque markers and drug-eluting coatings, next generation self-expandable devices can be equipped with additional functionality, such as conductive and flexible electrodes, which enables chronic recording of bioelectrical signals, stimulating or ablating tissue. This promises new therapeutic options in various medical fields, among them in particular neuromodulation (e.

Shape memory alloys. Ultralow-fatigue shape memory alloy films.

Functional shape memory alloys need to operate reversibly and repeatedly. Quantitative measures of reversibility include the relative volume change of the participating phases and compatibility matrices for twinning. But no similar argument is known for repeatability.