Engineering solutions to ureteral stents: material, coating and design

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Urology

Background:

• Ideal stents should be easily inserted and removed without discomfort or migration.
• Stents should prevent biofilm formation and encrustation to maintain patient quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review engineering developments in stent materials, design, and coatings.
• To highlight advancements in ureteric stent technology.

Main Methods:

• Mini-review of engineering developments in stent technology.
• Analysis of in-vitro, model-based, animal-based, and clinical studies.

Main Results:

• Ureteric stents have evolved significantly in design, material, and coating.
• A wide array of stent options are available for laboratory and clinical use.

Conclusions:

• Engineering innovations have driven stent evolution.
• Further research is necessary to overcome challenges of stent encrustation and biofilm formation.