The latest innovation from U.S. medicine is called the الدعامة المرنة . This product was developed by Dr. John S. Douglas and his company, Urology Care and Research, in collaboration with Abbott Laboratories. The stents are manufactured with nitinol, a unique alloy of gold and nickel. This combination of metals makes the product flexible enough to allow it to be bent and shaped into almost any form.
Why should you get a flexible stent?
Flexible stents are an important innovation in urology because they allow for more efficient therapy and are better tolerated by the patient. First off, the product can be delivered to the patient in a much easier and more comfortable manner than previous stent technologies. This improved method of delivery allows for more clinical options, particularly in the realm of treatment for prostate cancer. In addition, the product is better suited for external use than internal implants. This external use greatly expands the potential for treatment of bladder cancer and other diseases that may be affected by the expansion of the urethra.
Use cases for the Flexible Stent
Based on the material and design of the Flexible Stent, manufacturers believe it can be used in the following ways:
- For patients undergoing radiation therapy for prostate cancer
- For patients with bladder cancer who are having difficulty urinating due to obstruction from the cancer
- For patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who are having difficulty urinating due to obstruction from the enlargement of the prostate
- For patients with chronic prostatitis (also known as “benign prostatic hypertrophy” or BPH) who are having difficulty urinating due to inflammation
- For patients with urethral stricture who are having recurrent stenosis despite prior treatments
- For patients with urethral dysplasia who are having trouble with urination caused by a narrowing of the urethra
- For patients with congenital abnormalities of the urethra who are having trouble with urination caused by the abnormal urethra
Many of these applications could benefit from a minimally invasive procedure that uses local anesthesia and is less risky and more tolerable than other treatments. This is important because it makes the procedure more acceptable to patients who are at a higher risk of complications from surgery or radiation therapy.
How does it work?
The Flexible Stent is a metallic mesh tube that is inserted into the penis and expanded to its full size within the bladder. When the Flexible Stent is in its expanded state, it creates a fully functioning internal cavity within the bladder. This cavity enables improved drainage and storage of urine. As a result, patients experience much better urine flow and more comfortable urination. The product is specifically designed to alleviate the symptoms of BPH and to provide a better quality of life for patients with this disease. It also has the potential to be an important device in the treatment of prostate cancer and other urological diseases.
Are there any side effects associated with the Flexible Stent?
While the Flexible Stent provides many advantages for patients, it is not without its downsides. Before the product was even FDA-approved, manufacturers were already recognizing some potential problems that could arise from its use. The chief concern is that the material of the stent may cause irritation or allergic reaction in some patients. The Flexible Stent is also prone to dislodge if it should come undone during or after use. In addition, the product cannot expand to its full size within the bladder, so it may not be suitable for every patient.
However, these problems are thought to be rare, and the benefits of the product easily outweigh the risks. While the makers of the Flexible Stent claim that these complications are extremely uncommon, the FDA has only reported one instance of a severe allergic reaction that was directly related to the use of this product. In this case, the patient was allergic to nickel and experienced a rash and blistering that required hospitalization. The report also stated that this type of allergic reaction was “not observed or reported for any device or medication previously approved by the FDA.”
What are the guidelines for the Flexible Stent?
Although relatively new on the market, the makers of the Flexible Stent recommend that patients undergo a short learning curve before undergoing any treatment with this product. This learning phase should include reviewing information about the disease and the potential risks and benefits of the product and undergoing any necessary training with a certified urologist or healthcare professional. After completing this short learning curve, patients can start having effective therapy sessions that can help them get back to their normal, daily routines. Most importantly, they should follow up with their doctor at regular intervals to monitor for any complications.