Flexible Nitinol robots could transform surgery

摘要

Scientists from Leibniz University, Hannover, Germany, are collaborating with research teams at the Vanderbilt Universityin Nashville, USA, to develop tiny flexible snake-like robots which will allow surgeons to access difficult-to-reach spaceswith minimal invasion. Nitinol (UNS N01555), the bio-compatible nickel titanium alloy frequently used in stents, catheters orbraces, has been chosen for its shape memory properties and super elasticity.