Scientists in the UAE have developed a biodegradable gastric stent designed to cure gastric leaks that develop after surgery, reports BritPanorama.
The 3D-printed device dissolves inside the body, eliminating the need for surgeons to conduct an additional operation for its removal. This stent, unveiled by researchers at New York University Abu Dhabi, represents an improved version of a device previously revealed earlier in the year, utilizing different materials for enhanced functionality.
Dr Khalil Ramadi, an assistant professor of bioengineering at NYU Abu Dhabi, noted that the latest progress demonstrates how re-engineering medical devices with advanced manufacturing technologies can “fundamentally improve their performance.” He emphasized that the internal architecture of the stent was redesigned with biodegradable materials to address key limitations of existing devices, ultimately aiming for more effective patient treatments.
The stents are typically fitted to patients experiencing gastric leaks, which can occur in a small percentage of individuals who undergo bariatric surgery. This type of surgery reduces the stomach’s capacity or bypasses most of the stomach, assisting patients in weight loss by creating a sensation of fullness more quickly, thus reducing food intake.
If a leak develops post-surgery, an abscess may form due to fluid leakage from the stomach. In such cases, doctors may place a gastric stent across the site of the leak, sealing it to prevent escape of stomach contents and improving drainage.
According to a statement from NYU Abu Dhabi, gastric leaks may necessitate prolonged hospitalization for the patient. The university also pointed out that current stents are designed for the bile duct, which conveys bile from the liver and gallbladder into the small intestine, thereby potentially limiting their effectiveness in the stomach.
Existing gastric stents may drain inefficiently and can slip, possibly requiring multiple procedures for a leak to be effectively addressed and healed. Parima Phowarasoontorn, a research assistant at NYU Abu Dhabi, highlighted the necessity for medical devices to be designed specifically for the clinical challenges they encounter, rather than being adapted from other applications.
Phowarasoontorn stated, “By combining advanced 3D printing with biodegradable materials, we created a stent that improves drainage while reducing the burden of treatment for patients.” Typically, gastric stents are removed approximately six weeks to three months after fitting, necessitating another surgical procedure.
The new device, referred to as Bridge—an acronym for Biodegradable aRchitected Internal DrainaGE—was designed in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
Further research needed
However, the technology is not yet patient-ready and requires further research. The university expressed hope that various in-body drainage devices could benefit from this engineering approach.
Recently, it was reported that some UAE residents have undergone a pioneering minimally invasive weight-loss endoscopic procedure known as Moviva gastric mucosal ablation. This operation targets the upper part of the stomach, destroying cells that produce the “hunger hormone” ghrelin, consequently diminishing food cravings. Patients who previously underwent bariatric surgery reported significant weight loss after this new procedure.
