Issue 23, 2022

Characterization and preliminary in vivo evaluation of a self-expandable hydrogel stent with anisotropic swelling behavior and endoscopic deliverability for use in biliary drainage

Abstract

We demonstrate the potential of a novel self-expandable biliary stent comprised of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel with anisotropic swelling behavior and endoscopic deliverability in vivo, using a porcine stent model. The mechanism underlying the anisotropic swelling behavior and endoscopic deliverability (i.e., flexibility) was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), evaluation of the water content and swelling ratio, and three-point bending tests. The in vivo 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.

Graphical abstract: Characterization and preliminary in vivo evaluation of a self-expandable hydrogel stent with anisotropic swelling behavior and endoscopic deliverability for use in biliary drainage

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
14 Janv. 2022
Accepted
04 Marts 2022
First published
11 Marts 2022
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2022,10, 4375-4385

Characterization and preliminary in vivo evaluation of a self-expandable hydrogel stent with anisotropic swelling behavior and endoscopic deliverability for use in biliary drainage

Y. Nagakawa, S. Fujita, S. Yunoki, T. Tsuchiya, S. Suye, K. Kinoshita, M. Sasaki and T. Itoi, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2022, 10, 4375 DOI: 10.1039/D2TB00104G

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