Technology Licensing View

Technology Opportunity

Florida International University (FIU) is seeking a business partner to develop and commercialize novel Nitinol alloys for surgical implants. Implantable medical devices such as stents can cause vessel damage and subsequently require repeated surgeries that may cause further damage. Materials currently being used in manufacturing of such devices are prone to corrosion, thrombus formation and are likely to release nickel ions which lead to necrosis. Magneto-electropolished (MEP) ternary Nitinol is a corrosion resistant material that is less likely to cause a clot caused by platelet adhesion, and less likely to release nickel ions. In vitro- thrombogenic tests revealed that significantly less platelets adhered to MEP Nitinol alloys as compared to untreated binary, ternary Nitinol alloys and stainless steel. Additionally, superior confluent endothelial cell growth was observed on the ternary Nitinol alloys as compared with that on the binary Nitinol.

Devices that include MEP ternary nitinol can reduce healthcare costs by reducing the requirement for repeated surgical procedures, and possibly reduce patient morbidity. The biocompatibility and hemocompatibility of MEP ternary Nitinol makes it a viable substitute for the current materials used in implantable medical devices.

Applications

MEP ternary Nitinol can be used to manufacture the blood contacting tube of the implantable intravenous access valve assembly and manufacture endovascular and other medical implants that come in contact with human blood.

Advantages

• Corrosion resistant
• Reduced likelihood of clotting
• Prevents necrosis since less likely to release nickel ions
• Reduction in repeated surgical procedures
• Reduced healthcare costs
• Potential for reduction in patient morbidity