A New Biomaterial for Urinary Catheters

Abstract

Several studies argue that an ideal biomaterial for urinary catheters is utopian. Based in literature review it seems to be true. However, research advances: the biomaterial itself, new designs, new coatings, associated drugs, etc. Once implanted and interacting with urine, two old problems persist: encrustation and bacterial colonization. In this context, an extracellular product from bacterial synthesis on sugarcane molasses biomaterial has been studied in several experimental and clinical studies. Based on its high biocompatibility, the aim of this study is to evaluate its performance in an in vivo model as an endourologic prosthesis implanted in the bladder of Wistar rats. We evaluate physical, chemical and biological phenomena in comparison to an already established biomaterial, polyurethane. Even though it is not a finished product, the sugarcane biopolymer presented similar performance compared to polyurethane in several analyzed parameters and has an important characteristic: low cost.