Objective To summarize the research progress of biocompatibility and surface modification of nickel titanium shape memory alloys (Ni-Ti SMA). Methods The relative researches about Ni-Ti SMA at home and abroad were reviewed, collated, analyzed, and summarized. Results At present, Ni-Ti SMA as an internal fixation material has been widely used in clinic. It has the following advantages: the super elasticity, the shape memory characteristic, the good wear resistance, and the strong corrosion resistance. It also can effectively avoid the internal fixator rupture caused by stress shielding. After surface modification, the biocompatibility of Ni-Ti SMA has been improved. Conclusion The Ni-Ti SMA is the most promising alloy material for the long-term internal fixator because of its excellent material properties.
ObjectiveTo compare the biomechanical characteristics of self-made nickel-titanium shape memory alloy stepped plate with calcaneal plate and cannulated compression screws in fixing calcaneal osteotomy.MethodsCalcaneal osteotomy was operated on 6 fresh-frozen lower limbs collected from donors. Then three kinds of fixation materials were applied in random, including the self-made nickel-titanium shape memory alloy stepped plate (group A), calcaneal plate (group B), and cannulated compression screws (group C). Immediately after fixation, axial loading of 20-600 N and 20 N/s in speed was introduced to record the biomechanical data including maximum displacement, elastic displacement, and maximum load. Then fatigue test was performed (5 Hz in frequency and repeat 3 000 times) and the same axial loading was introduced to collect the biomechanical data. Finally, the axial compression stiffness before and after fatigue test were calculated.ResultsThere was no significant difference in the axial compression stiffness between pre- and post-fatigue test in each group (P>0.05). However, the axial compression stiffness was significant higher in group A than that in groups B and C both before and after fatigue test (P<0.05). No significant difference was found between group B and group C (P>0.05).ConclusionSelf-made nickel-titanium shape memory alloy stepped plate is better than calcaneal plate and cannulated compression screws in axial load stiffness after being used to fix calcaneal osteotomy.