Smart Mater. Struct. 18 (2009) 104010, https://doi.org/10.1088/0964-1726/18/10/104010
Abstract
Superelastic shape memory materials are of special interest in medical applications due to the large strains obtainable, the constant stress level and their biocompatibility. TiNi sputtered tubes have high potential for application as vascular implants, e.g. stents. Magnetron sputtering, three-dimensional lithography and wet etching were used in order to produce stent devices, with thickness from 5 to 15 µm, diameter from 1 to 5 mm and minimum feature size of 5 µm.