COMPARATIVE-EVALUATION OF MATERIALS USED FOR INTERNAL URETERAL STENTS

The materials used in the fabrication of self-retained internal ureter al stents should provide strength, flexibility, low surface friction, radiopacity, biodurability, biocompatibility, and reasonable unit cost . Polymeric biomaterials currently used for stent construction include polyurethane, silicone, Silitek,(TM) C-Flex,(TM) and Percuflex.(TM) C omparative evaluation of these materials in the context of the require ments for stent structure and function suggests advantages and disadva ntages for all of them. We believe that the most important attributes for an internal ureteral stent are ease of insertion, effective restor ation and maintenance of flow, resistance to migration, significant bi odurability, and biocompatibility. Based on our physical testing of st ents fabricated from these materials, as well as clinical and laborato ry experience, we believe that C-Flex and Percuflex are the most suita ble materials for stent construction.