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THE DEVELOPMENT OF IMPROVED BIOCOMPATIBLE MATERIALS FOR UROLOGICAL AND OTHER MEDICAL DEVICES

Exploitable results

Two major problems exist with current indwelling urological devices such as stents: the development of encrustations and the occurrence of urinary tract infections (UTI). These frequently result in extended or repeated hospitalization; they cause pain and discomfort, inconvenience and extra costs. The research involved the systematic development of polymeric materials of enhanced biocompatibility for the manufacture of urological, and other, medical devices. Plasma coating with hydroxy apatite (HA)-based functionalized polymers emerged as the system of choice for the fabrication of improved stents for urological applications. A novel ureteric stent was designed and prototypes manufactured. A novel in vitro encrustation model was developed and used in the project to assess the calculogenicity of material sample surfaces and devices in contact with urine. The model redefined the state-of-the-art, representing a significant advance on previous practise in terms of its mimesis of physiological conditions and its adaptability. The model was designed and developed collaboratively. Its design has been registered and has recently been submitted for consideration as a standard. Microbial adhesion and growth studies have engendered a series of innovative techniques: model for assessing anti-adherent properties of novel biomaterials that addresses the growth conditions of the bacteria and the influence of surface conditioning by urine; standardized and reproducible image analysis methodology for quantification of bacteria adhering to polymer surfaces; indirect adenosine triphosphate (ATP) extraction protocol for measuring bacterial adherence to polymer surfaces. From the 'polymer synthesis-testing-design-polymer synthesis-' loop established, candidate polymers emerged for each of the device manufacture approaches, 'Monolithic', 'Surface Modification' and 'Coating'.

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