Liquid crystal elastomer based dynamic device for urethral support: Potential treatment for stress urinary...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Urology

Background:

• Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) affects a significant portion of the female population, often exacerbated by aging.
• Current surgical treatments for severe SUI involve static slings with no post-implantation adjustability.
• The need for dynamic, adjustable solutions for SUI management is critical.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and characterize a novel device for SUI treatment using liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs).
• To evaluate the efficacy of the LCE device in supporting continence and allowing non-invasive tension adjustment.
• To assess the feasibility of LCE-based dynamic slings for SUI management.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of an LCE-based device capable of shape change via temperature increase induced by transcutaneous IR light.
• Characterization of device shape change in a scar tissue phantom model.
• In vitro testing in a urinary tract model and in vivo implantation in rabbits to assess efficacy and adjustability.

Main Results:

• The LCE device demonstrated significant actuation (5.6% ± 1.1%) at elevated temperatures (44.9°C ± 0.4°C).
• In vitro models showed a significant decrease in leaking time (p < 0.0001) with IR-actuated LCE cuffs.
• In vivo rabbit models exhibited significant changes in leak point force (p = 0.01 and p = 0.023) upon LCE cuff implantation and actuation.

Conclusions:

• Liquid crystal elastomers can be fabricated into dynamic devices for SUI treatment.
• The LCE device allows for non-invasive, temperature-controlled tension adjustment.
• This technology holds promise for developing advanced, adjustable treatments for stress urinary incontinence.