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pubmed:abstractText |
Encrustation of urological stents is a clinical problem. The chemical composition and surface properties of the devices have a marked effect on its incidence. The ability of the stent to prevent duct collapse depends on its compression strength, which decreases as degradation progresses. We have developed a new self-reinforced, L-lactide-glycolic acid co-polymer with a molar ratio of 80:20 (SR-PLGA 80/20), that is the SpiroFlow (Bionx Implants, Ltd., Tampere, Finland) stent. We compared the resistance to encrustation of the new stent material to that of 2 temporary metallic stents, Prostakath (Doctors and Engineers, Inc., Copenhagen, Denmark) and Memokath 028 (Engineers and Doctors A/S, Ltd., Kvistgård, Denmark). In addition, mechanical compression properties during degradation were investigated.
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