Design and thermo-mechanical analysis of a new NiTi shape memory alloy fixing clip

• A new NiTi bone fixator is presented
• Thermo-mechanical properties of the new NiTi clip are experimentally evaluated
• The new NiTi clip fixing procedure results to be fast, simple and safe
• Tests on anatomical samples show the proper behavior of the new NiTi clip

In this work, a new NiTi shape memory alloy (SMA) bone fixator is proposed. Thanks to the shape memory effect, this device does not need any external tool for the fixation, as the anchorage is obtained only by the self-accommodation of the clip during the parent transformation. Calorimetry and thermo-mechanical tests were used to evaluate the phase transformation temperatures and to estimate the forces generated both during the fixing surgical procedure and after the surgical operation. An application on animal anatomical sample was also performed; an appropriate mechanical tightness as well as a good handiness has been found.