Effects of ultrasound settings on temperature changes in NiTi implants.

Background: Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are well-known for their unique ability to undergo a shape change in response to a thermal stimulus. A frequently-used SMA for biomedical devices is NiTi, although its superelastic features tend to be emphasized more than the ability to change shape. Minimally invasive NiTi implants which can reconfigure or adjust their shape across several temperature points could provide desirable surgical outcomes.