An MRI compatible medical device includes a non-magnetic metal alloy portion including a first and at least a second metal. A surface of the metal alloy portion includes an integral MRI heating resistant surface structure having a thickness≧3 nanometers. The MRI heating resistant surface structure includes one or more of (i) a matrix phase including the first and second metal having a plurality of nanometer or micron scale particles, precipitates and/or inclusions constituting a volume fraction≧3%, wherein the particles, precipitates or inclusions differ in chemical composition and physical characteristics of the matrix phase and are discontinuously distributed therein； (ii) a level of crystallinity at least 5% less as compared to a level of crystallinity in the bulk of the metal alloy portion； (iii) one or more metal atoms different from the first and second metal having a concentration profile evidencing diffusion into the metal alloy portion.
