RADIOPAQUE ALLOY AND MEDICAL DEVICE MADE OF THIS ALLOY

摘要

A radiopaque alloy based on titanium nickelide and having shape memory and superelastic properties includes, according to one embodiment, at least one radiopaque alloying element selected from among gold, platinum, and palladium at a concentration of from about 10 at. % to about 20 at. %, and at least one additional alloying element selected from among aluminum, chromium, cobalt, iron, and zirconium, where the additional alloying element has a concentration of from about 0.5 at. % to about 4 at. %. The alloy includes titanium at a concentration of from about 48 at. % to about 52 at. %, and the balance of the alloy is nickel. The radiopaque alloy preferably exhibits superelastic behavior suitable for medical device applications in the human body.