Antimicrobial properties of biodegradable magnesium for next generation ureteral stent applications

Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2012:2012:1378-81. doi: 10.1109/EMBC.2012.6346195.

Abstract

Bacterial infection often causes clinical complications and failure of indwelling medical devices. This is a major problem of current ureteral stents, which are used clinically to treat the blockage of ureteral canals. This study investigates the effectiveness and applicability of magnesium as a novel biodegradable ureteral stent material that has inherent antimicrobial properties. Incubating Escherichia coli with the magnesium samples showed a decrease in the bacterial cell density as compared with the currently used commercial polyurethane stent. Magnesium degradation in the immersion solutions (artificial urine, luria bertani broth, and deionized water) resulted in an alkaline pH shift. Antimicrobial and biodegradation properties of magnesium make it an attractive alternative as next-generation ureteral stent material.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Magnesium / administration & dosage*
  • Magnesium / pharmacokinetics
  • Models, Biological
  • Polyurethanes
  • Stents*
  • Surface Properties
  • Ureter / surgery
  • Urinary Catheters

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Polyurethanes
  • Magnesium