Braided thin-walled biodegradable ureteral stent: preliminary evaluation in a canine model

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Biomaterials Science
• Medical Device Engineering

Background:

• Ureteral stents are crucial for temporary renal drainage.
• Current biostable stents can cause complications and require removal.
• Biodegradable materials offer a potential solution for temporary implants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a novel braided thin-walled biodegradable ureteral stent.
• To compare its performance against standard biostable ureteral stents.
• To assess biocompatibility and mechanical properties of the novel stent.

Main Methods:

• 24 male Beagles received bilateral ureteral stents (biodegradable vs. biostable).
• Evaluations included intravenous pyelography, ultrasonography, and blood/urine tests at weekly intervals.
• Mechanical testing, scanning electron microscopy, and histopathology were performed.

Main Results:

• Biodegradable stents degraded predictably between 1 and 4 weeks.
• Hydronephrosis was reduced with biodegradable stents at 3-4 weeks compared to biostable stents.
• Similar tissue reactivity and comparable renal drainage were observed, with superior mechanical properties for the biodegradable stent.

Conclusions:

• Novel biodegradable ureteral stents provide effective temporary renal drainage.
• These stents exhibit good biocompatibility and favorable mechanical characteristics.
• The degradable stent shows potential for clinical use in urological procedures.