| 摘要 |
<p>A cannula device for insertion into a human or animal body, and method for using such cannula device, are disclosed, wherein all or part of the cannula is made of a shape memory alloy with an austenitic transformation temperature at or above the range at which medical instruments are sterilized. At working temperature, the shape memory alloy portion of the cannula is in a martensitic state and, therefore, pliable. The cannula is bent and shaped during use, either intentionally or unintentionally. After use, the shape memory alloy portion of the cannula may be placed in a conventional heat sterilization unit in which the temperature is equal to or above the austenitic transformation temperature causing the alloy to return to its memorized, substantially straight, austenitic configuration. After removal of the cannula from the heat sterilaization unit, the cannula is both sterilized and straightened to substantialy the original configuration and is thereby in condition for reuse.</p> |
