Biomaterials in Urology II: future usage and management

It seems likely, and indeed inevitable, that medical device usage will continue its rapid increase over the next 10 to 20 years and beyond. For surgeons, these new inventions will come in many forms but should take into account biocompatibility and resistance to encrustations and to microorganisms. This review focuses on research under way at present in vitro and in vivo on materials and coatings, use of bioelectrics, use of artificial organs and tissues, application of indigenous bacteria, and other alternative device management techniques, which could well become part of clinical practice in the future. By necessity, some of these citations are speculative, but supporting documentation for their inclusion is presented.