@article{purser_richards_cook_osborne_cormier_buckner_2011, title={A Novel Shape Memory Alloy Annuloplasty Ring for Minimally Invasive Surgery: Design, Fabrication, and Evaluation}, volume={39}, ISSN={["1573-9686"]}, DOI={10.1007/s10439-010-0126-z}, abstractNote={A novel annuloplasty ring with a shape memory alloy core has been developed to facilitate minimally invasive mitral valve repair. In its activated (austenitic) phase, this prototype ring has comparable mechanical properties to commercial semi-rigid rings. In its pre-activated (martensitic) phase, this ring is flexible enough to be introduced through an 8-mm trocar and easily manipulated with robotic instruments within the confines of a left atrial model. The core is constructed of 0.50 mm diameter NiTi, which is maintained below its martensitic transition temperature (24 °C) during deployment and suturing. After suturing, the ring is heated above its austenitic transition temperature (37 °C, normal human body temperature) enabling the NiTi core to attain its optimal geometry and stiffness characteristics indefinitely. This article summarizes the design, fabrication, and evaluation of this prototype ring. Experimental results suggest that the NiTi core ring could be a viable alternative to flexible bands in robot-assisted minimally invasive mitral valve repair.}, number={1}, journal={ANNALS OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING}, author={Purser, Molly F. and Richards, Andrew L. and Cook, Richard C. and Osborne, Jason A. and Cormier, Denis R. and Buckner, Gregory D.}, year={2011}, month={Jan}, pages={367–377} }
 @article{purser_richards_cook_osborne_cormier_buckner_2009, title={Evaluation of a Shape Memory Alloy Reinforced Annuloplasty Band for Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair}, volume={88}, ISSN={["1552-6259"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.athoracsur.2009.04.133}, abstractNote={An in vitro study using explanted porcine hearts was conducted to evaluate a novel annuloplasty band, reinforced with a two-phase, shape memory alloy, designed specifically for minimally invasive mitral valve repair.In its rigid (austenitic) phase, this band provides the same mechanical properties as the commercial semi-rigid bands. In its compliant (martensitic) phase, this band is flexible enough to be introduced through an 8-mm trocar and is easily manipulated within the heart.In its rigid phase, the prototype band displayed similar mechanical properties to commercially available semi-rigid rings. Dynamic flow testing demonstrated no statistical differences in the reduction of mitral valve regurgitation. In its flexible phase, the band was easily deployed through an 8-mm trocar, robotically manipulated and sutured into place.Experimental results suggest that the shape memory alloy reinforced band could be a viable alternative to flexible and semi-rigid bands in minimally invasive mitral valve repair.}, number={4}, journal={ANNALS OF THORACIC SURGERY}, author={Purser, Molly F. and Richards, Andrew L. and Cook, Richard C. and Osborne, Jason A. and Cormier, Denis R. and Buckner, Gregory D.}, year={2009}, month={Oct}, pages={1312–1316} }
 @inproceedings{purser_cormier_buckner_cook_bolotin_2008, title={Annuloplasty band with shape memory alloy stiffener}, booktitle={Medical Device Materials IV}, author={Purser, M. and Cormier, D. and Buckner, G. and Cook, R. and Bolotin, G.}, year={2008}, pages={231–236} }