With actuation capabilities that respond to temperature or light, the potential uses for shape memory polymers (SMPs) in the biomedical arena are on the rise. This article describes current and potential future uses of SMPs for medical devices.

Using a physical vapor deposition process to manufacture medical device components reduces post-processing time and improves materials properties. This article addresses metallic sputter deposition technologies for Nitinol medical devices.

Automotive manufacturers are making significant investments in the design and development of bioplastics and biocomposites-based components.

A new TEVAR delivery system allows staged, predictable endograft deployment and in situ angulation control, while avoiding windsocking and bird-beaking.

Novel methods for altering the mechanical properties of functionally graded orthodontic medical devices leads to new applications. This article highlights recent applications of selective vaporization to enable functional grading of shape memory alloys in medical devices for the dental industry.

Because the photopolymerization of gelatin methacrylate can be spatially and temporally controlled, it can be fabricated into hydrogels well suited to a variety of biomedical applications.

The story behind the Environmental Protection Agency’s registration of copper surfaces against the virus that causes COVID-19.

The effects of Nitinol micropurity on the durability of superficial femoral artery stents offers a potential way to enhance durability and reduce fatigue fractures. This article describes recent work on superior grades of “microclean” Nitinol and the effects on fatigue and durability of the devices.

3D printing of organic and inorganic materials requires special consideration in both material selection and the process used. This article provides an overview of the the six major processes used for 3D bioprinting: extrusion bioprinting, inkjet printing, selective laser sintering, stereolithography, laser-induced forward transfer bioprinting, and two-photon polymerization.

Dissimilar metals, each with their own special properties, can be integrated into a single composite wire to achieve a functionally driven design. Simultaneously strong, stiff, and superelastic guidewires that provide proximal stiffness and distal flexibility for medical applications are discussed in this article.

This article explores two case studies regarding use of materials data and software educational tools to analyze biocompatibility related to implantable medical devices. The example applications are glass-ceramic scaffolds and suture anchor implants.

Improving the mechanical properties and wear resistance of polymers used as implant bearing materials requires new approaches and modern technology. This article describes recent work on translating novel materials and coatings into clinical practice to reduce risks and significantly improve orthopedic implant fixation and longevity.

From graphene to next-generation composites to 3D printing, advanced materials and processes are helping sportswear manufacturers, sporting goods companies, and sports medicine practitioners take their game to the next level. This special report reviews some of the most innovative technologies making an impact on today’s sports and recreation industry. Technologies addressed include graphene used in sportswear, new production methods for carbon fiber composites, and 3D printed implants to address knee injuries.

As scientists and engineers continue to develop and investigate replacement tissues for patient disease, injury, and aging, proper mechanical characterization of biological materials is critical. This article provides an overview of some static mechanical testing, creep testing, stress-relaxation testing, and fatigue testing methods for biomaterials applications.

For sports and recreation equipment manufacturers and sports medicine clinicians, mechanical testing is essential to optimize material performance, minimize injury, and improve recovery outcomes. This article describes some of the specialized tests used for sports equipment.

A recent advance in the evolutionary ladder of materials for orthopedic sports medicine applications involves composites made of one or more bioabsorbable polymers. This article describes preclinical and clinical results for a specific formulation comprising 30% beta tricalcium phoshate and 70% poly(lactide-coglycolide) polymer.

Ultra-short femtosecond laser technology offers sub-400 fs pulses, high beam quality, and peak power that enables a high quality, cold ablation cutting process rather than a melt ejection process. Resulting cuts require minimal post processing and the small beam size allows machining of very fine details. The edge quality possible with a femtosecond laser for both metals and plastics makes it useful for machining heart, brain, and eye stents (both nitinol and cobalt-chrome), catheters, heart valves, and polymer tubing.

This article is a case study in using laser sintering additive manufacturing of PEKK (polyether-ketone-ketone) to manufacture a patient-specific cranial implant.

Computer simulation is an important tool for medical device companies and designers to reduce expensive prototyping and testing. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Device and Radiological Health (CRY) is seeing a growing number of submissions for medical devices that include a simulation-data component.

Researchers at the University of Akron have developed a high-resolution characterization system that incorporates six gel permeation chromatography columns, two light scattering detectors, a refractive index sensor, and a viscometer. The new system facilitates the study of separated macromolecules and is expected to play a role in the development of safer biopolymers for breast implants.