Publications by authors named "W Kram"

Recent developments in urological implants have focused on preventive strategies to mitigate encrustation and biofilm formation. Parylene, a conformal, pinhole-free polymer coating, has gained attention due to its high biocompatibility and chemical resistance, excellent barrier properties, and low friction coefficient. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of parylene C in comparison to a parylene VT4 grade coating in preventing encrustation on a urinary bladder pressure MEMS sensor system.

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The insertion of a ureteral stent provides acute care by restoring urine flow and alleviating urinary retention or dysfunction. The problems of encrustation, bacterial colonization and biofilm formation become increasingly important when ureteral stents are left in place for a longer period of time. One way to reduce encrustation and bacterial adherence is to modify the stent surface with a diamond-like carbon coating, in combination with copper doping.

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: When trying to modify urinary stents, certain pre-clinical steps have to be followed before clinical evaluation in humans. Usually, the process starts as an in silico assessment. The urinary tract is a highly complex, dynamic and variable environment, which makes a computer simulation closely reflecting physiological conditions extremely challenging.

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Article Synopsis
  • Urinary stents and catheters, while used for decades, pose issues like infections, discomfort, and complications, prompting researchers to seek improvements at the molecular level.
  • The ENIUS network brought together scientists to explore various innovative approaches like specialized coatings, biodegradable materials, and advanced technologies to enhance urinary implant performance.
  • The study highlights the importance of collaboration among researchers and clinicians to advance these promising technologies into clinical use, emphasizing that many concepts are still at the developmental stage.
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