Review of shape memory alloys medical applications in Russia

In the last twenty-five years a large variety of research has been carried out in Russia using Shape Memory Alloys (SMA), particularly nearly equiatomic NiTi alloys, for medical applications. In this field of activity, Russian research centers have been quite successful in treating different kinds of diseases, from bone fractures to dental implants. This review is intended to give a panorama of SMA medical applications in Russia in order to illustrate the remarkable possibilities offered by SMA materials in the medical field.