METHODS OF MAKING SHAPE MEMORY FILMS BY CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION AND SHAPE MEMORY DEVICES MADE THEREBY

摘要

A method of depositing shape memory or superelastic thin films by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and medical devices made thereby, including stents, grafts, stent-grafts, stent covers, occlusive and filter membranes and drug-delivery devices. The method entails a thin film is deposited on a substrate surface using a CVD reaction in the production of a film of nickel-titanium shape memory or superelastic alloy. Such nickel- titanium-based shape memory or superelastic alloys may be binary nickel-titanium alloys or may include additional compounds to form ternary, quaternary, or higher level alloys.