334 Fatigue Properties of Cast-Shape Memory Alloy for Brain Spatula

Abstract

In order to develop a brain spatula or a brain retractor made of a shape memory alloy (SMA), the bending fatigue characteristics of the brain spatula of TiNi SMA made by the precision casting were discussed. The results obtained can be summarized as follows. (1) At the room temperature, the fatigue life in pulsating-plane bending is longer than that in alternating-plane bending. (2) The relationship between the dissipated work and the number of cycles to failure can be expressed by the unified power function for alternating- and pulsating-plane bendings. (3) The above mentioned characteristics of the SMA-brain spatula obtained in this study can be substantially applied to the development not only for the brain spatula but also for other retractors and instruments used in other surgery operations.