PDMS IN URINARY TRACT DEVICES: APPLICATIONS, PROBLEMS AND POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS

M. Gomes, L. C. Gomes, R. Teixeira-Santos and F. J. Mergulhão

Abstract: PDMS is one of the most widely used polymers for the fabrication of biomedical devices. Of particular relevance is the application of PDMS in urinary tract devices such as urinary catheters and ureteral stents. As these devices are being used by a growing number of patients and indwelling times are increasing in an aging population, the incidence of urinary tract infections is rising. These infections have implications on the quality of life of the patients and represent a severe burden on healthcare systems.
This chapter reviews the main uses of PDMS in urinary tract devices and associated complications. As new solutions are needed to reduce bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation on PDMS-based devices, a testing platform is described to evaluate surface performance in both urinary catheters and ureteral stents. Examples of these solutions are also discussed in a quest for more efficient urinary tract devices.

Keywords: PDMS-based surfaces, urinary catheters, ureteral stents, urinary tract infections, antibiofilm coatings, flow systems.

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