Effects of fluid dynamics on encrustation in a microfluidic model of the occluded and stented ureter
Mosayyebi A., Zhang X., Carugo D., Manes C.
Ureteral stents are often associated with high failure rates and complications that impact on both patients' quality of life and costs for national healthcare services. The formation of encrusting deposits over the stent surface is recognised as one of the primary determinants of stent failure. In the present study we developed a microfluidic-based model of the stented ureter to investigate the effect of flow dynamics on the initiation of encrustation. Both occluded and unoccluded segments of the ureter were investigated, using computational and experimental techniques. Findings from this study may guide the design of new stent architectures capable of minimising encrustation rates.