@article {19049,
	title = {HydrUStent {\textendash} Biodegradable Ureteral Stent },
	booktitle = {SFB- Society for Biomaterials, Annual meeting },
	year = {2017},
	month = {2017-04-04 00:00:00},
	address = {Minneapolis, Minesota, USA},
	abstract = {<p>Statement of Purpose: Patients who have an ureteral stent require a second surgery for stent removal. Long implantation times, increase the problem of infection and encrustation, which becomes more severe when the stent is {\textquotedblleft}forgotten{\textquotedblright} in the body (1). This is often due to lack of availability of the urologist or the patient{\textquoteright}s own move to the hospital. The crystal deposition on the surface of the stent and infections associated with these stents due to the excessive time may result in loss of the kidney or potentially even death. HydrUStent is a biodegradable ureteral stent which need was validated through a series of contacts with Urologists, experts in the field. All the doctors answered positively when asked if they would be willing to use biodegradable stents as long as their safety and ease of placement would be demonstrated. The team includes a physician who knows what the problem is and has envisaged the solution for it. On the bench side, three researchers and Bussiness Development, Chief Executive Officer and the President and Chairman of the company, who come from the 3B{\textquoteright}s Research Group, a leading group in the development of biomaterials participated in the project. Technology: HydrUStent is a biodegradable, anti-bacterial urological stent, that eliminates the need for a second surgery required nowadays for stent removal (1). HydrUStent also avoids further complications from infections, due to its antibacterial properties. HydrUStent hydrogel degrades by dissolution of the material in urine avoiding crystal deposition. The dissolution profile is controlled and depending on the material used for stent production, the degradation rate can be tuned from 15 to 60 days of implantation, according to the specific treatment requirements (1-4). The patented technology underlying the production of HydrUStent provides the product its unique advantages. The methodology developed for the preparation of stents with a high water content makes them soft, lubricious and flexible, as well as having adequate biodegradation rates, no encrustation development, and anti-bacterial properties. The ability to create a ureteral stent safe for the patient antibacterial and biodegradable it is the main technical advantage of HydrUStent (2,3)</p>},
	keywords = {Biodegradable, stent, Ureteral},
	url = {http://2017.biomaterials.org/},
	author = {Barros, A. A. and Oliveira, C. and Lima, E. and Duarte, A. R. C. and Reis, R. L.}
}
