Characterization and preliminary<i>in vivo</i>evaluation of a self-expandable hydrogel stent with anisotropic swelling behavior and endoscopic deliverability for use in biliary drainage
Yoshiyasu Nagakawa, Satoshi Fujita, Shunji Yunoki, Takayoshi Tsuchiya, Shin‐ichiro Suye, Kenji Kinoshita, Motoki Sasaki, Takao Itoi
Abstract
experiment using a porcine stent model indicated that the tube-shaped PVA hydrogel could effectively expand the biliary tract, without disturbing bile flow. SEM and SAXS showed that PVA hydrogels prepared by drying under extension showed structural orientation along the extension axis, leading to anisotropic swelling. The water content of the PVA hydrogel was found to be crucial for maintaining flexibility as well as endoscopic deliverability. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the novel concept of using a hydrogel stent as a self-expandable biliary stent.
Topics & Concepts
Vinyl alcoholBiliary stentIn vivoMaterials scienceStentSwellingAnisotropyBiomedical engineeringSurgeryComposite materialMedicineBiologyPhysicsPolymerBiotechnologyQuantum mechanicsPediatric Hepatobiliary Diseases and TreatmentsGallbladder and Bile Duct DisordersPancreatic and Hepatic Oncology Research