Artificial esophagus of less invasive medical applications utilizing mechanical property of shape memory alloys (SMAs) with peristaltic motion is developed. The artificial-esophagus is composed of two SMA springs, polyvinyl chloride tube, and acrylic plate. The dynamic characteristics of an artificial-esophagus actuator are evaluated in terms of the food transport capacity. Closing pressure and the transport speed have sufficiently realized with human-like qualities. The possibility for fully self-contained artificial-esophagus using SMAs is discussed.

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A new application of stress-induced transformation of superelastic shape memory alloys (SMAs) for atraumatic haemostatic forceps has been proposed. In conventional haemostats the pressure on the clamping jaws directly reflects the passive response of biological tissues, exhibiting an exponential increase during grasping, thus making control within a safe range difficult. The proposed new concept of haemostatic forceps is to embed superelastic shape memory alloys in conventional forceps and to limit the clamping pressure of the forceps within a safe range via the unique stress–strain characteristics of superelastic SMA during its stress-induced transformation. In the present paper, the potential of such an idea for practical use is demonstrated with a newly developed prototype. It is shown that the critical pressure was successfully controlled in the range of 200–800 mm Hg, where superelastic SMA wires of 0.2 and 0.3 mm in diameter were employed.

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