In Episode five of the Advancing the Future of Medtech with Alleima podcast series, Dr. Bernd Vogel, Global Technology and Innovation Manager, and Steffen M眉ller, Sales and Marketing Director at Alleima鈥檚 medical unit, discuss the characteristics of nitinol and the significance of the material in advancing minimally invasive therapies, patient healthcare and outcomes.
Alleima鈥檚 medical unit specialises in the design, development and manufacturing of complex wire-based solutions. These components, implants and instruments are made to sense, transmit, measure, stimulate, catch or cut and are used in a broad spectrum of applications including remote patient monitoring, cardiovascular therapies, urology, oncology, robotic surgery and neurostimulation.
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The Swedish company has been supporting leading OEMs at the forefront of various breakthrough innovations in the medical devices industry. This includes processing of nitinol, an alloy made from a combination of nickel and titanium with unique characteristics that has become invaluable in the development of minimally invasive applications but demands specialised manufacturing knowhow to unleash its full mechanical and functional potential.
Applications that leverage the super-elasticity, biocompatibility, and exceptional shape memory of nitinol include self-expanding stents, occluders, guidewires, breast tissue markers and vena cava filters in cardiovascular medicine. Additionally, nitinol is increasingly utilised in urology, orthopaedic implants, neurovascular coils, and robotic surgical instruments.
Hear from Alleima鈥檚 experts on the difference nitinol can make to medical intervention below:
鈥淣itinol鈥檚 unique properties are a perfect match for miniaturisation and smart device integration. Its flexibility allows for ultra-thin wires and components that can be integrated with sensors or electronics,鈥� says Dr. Vogel, a recognised nitinol expert who has dedicated his career to optimising nitinol manufacturing workflows.
鈥淭his is crucial for next-generation devices鈥攖hink steerable catheters for robotic surgery or smart implants that monitor patient health.鈥�
M眉ller adds: 鈥淭he trend is clear: devices are getting smaller, smarter, and more connected, Nitinol is at the heart of this evolution, enabling designs that were previously impossible.鈥�
The podcast explores current and future use cases for nitinol in medical devices and the reasons the alloy is a game changer in a future of minimally invasive procedures. The conversation also covers the challenges in processing nitinol and the importance of working with specialist partners like Alleima to leverage the alloy鈥檚 potential.
Catch up on earlier episodes below:
