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Kidney stents are classified based on the material used to make them, their design, and the mechanism of action. Here is a breakdown of the widely used types of stents.
Kidney ureteral stents are placed in the urethra to ensure urine flows from the kidneys to the bladder. The stent is usually a small tube with holes on each end that allow urine to flow through. It is placed during a laser or traditional nephrolithiasis surgery, which breaks down kidney stones into smaller, manageable pieces. A ureteral stent will help the urethra heal after surgery and keep it open to facilitate the smooth flow of urine. The stent is sometimes placed weeks or months before surgery to help the patient feel better and reduce kidney damage from blocked stones.
Like ureteral stents, double-J stents, DJ stents, or pigtail stents are placed into the ureter to allow kidney stones and other blockages to drain. It is called a double-J stent because the ends are curled into J shapes to hold the stent in place, one end in the kidney pelvis and the other in the bladder. The stent is placed through cystoscopy, a minimally invasive procedure, under local or general anesthesia. The stent makes up the ureteral walls to prevent or minimize damage from kidney stones and blockages. It allows the body to naturally push out smaller stones while keeping larger ones from causing further damage. Many people with DJ stents have mild discomfort or pain, especially when urinating. About 10% of patients develop stent encrustation, which causes pain and bladder irritation until a doctor removes the stent.
These stents are manufactured using advanced material and technology that promote longer wear and durability. Some are coated with antimicrobial substances that prevent bacterial accumulation, while others are coated with drugs sused to facilitate healing (antibiotic-eluting stents) or for vasodilation.
Ureteral stents with coatings have a wire frame that provides support even as the stent expands to accommodate different ureter sizes. A coating on the stent also makes it more comfortable and reduces friction. Some of stile made of nitinol, a blend of nickel and titanium wire that remains flexible while sturdy and durable.
Some of the factors buyers should consider when sourcing kidney stents in bulk include the following.
Ureteral stents are manufactured from silicone rubber, polyurethane, or a mixture of both materials. Silicone rubber stents are preferred in hospitals where users and stakeholders prioritize a longer-lasting stent, as silicone rubber is more wear-resistant. Polyurethane stents are more suitable for buyers who prioritize cost-cutting because they are cheaper. However, they do not last as long as silicone rubber stents. Both-sided stents have antimicrobial coatings made of advanced material that increase their durability and resistance to wear. Consider the material and what the buyer intends to use the stent for when stocking up the products.
Kidney stents come in a range of sizes and types. For instance, urinary catheters range from 4F to 24F, while a double-J stent has a diameter of 3F to 6F. Length varies from 24cm to 30cm. Buyers should ensure the stents they purchase come in various sizes and types to meet the diverse needs of their customers. By doing so, they will be eliminating the need for the customer to go to different suppliers for different sizes. Moreover, they should ensure the stents are manufactured by reputable brands. Also, consider the demand for each type/size and how easy it will be to reorder stock.
Modern stents are being manufactured with comfort and ease of insertion in mind. A smooth stent surface with a tapered tip is more likely to be comfortable to the patient and easy to insert for the urologist than a rough one with a straightforward tip. Due to the sensitivity of the intended target area, majority will prefer one that is easier and more comfortable to insert, like those with a tapered tip and advanced coating for adhesion/better grip.
Also consider the durability of the stents. Longer-lasting kidney stents, like silicone-based and coated ones, are more likely to be durable. Daily users like hospitals, which will be inserting and replacing these stents thousands of times for different patients, prefer durable products. They do not, however, want overly durable products that are difficult to remove, such as permanent stents that cannot be removed. Therefore, be mindful of the practicality and ease of use of durable stents.
Kidney stents are not fast-moving consumer goods. Therefore, a customer/re-seller is likely to order one and use the same stock for years unless they switch suppliers. That means a business must have a solid supply chain relationship with a manufacturer or distributor. Moreover, since these products are intended for medical use, a business should ensure timely and compliant supply and reorder processes.
Because of their sensitivity and the likelihood of fast-moving consumer goods, the insertion and removal of kidney stents are usually left to medical personnel. Buyers should, however, have product inserts for informative purposes. Here, then, is a general overview of how to use these products.
Kidney stents are inserted using a cystoscope, a long, flexible tube with a camera and light. The doctor applies local or general anesthesia to relax the patient and reduce any discomfort or pain. The doctor lubricates the stent to prevent damaging the urethra during insertion and to reduce friction. The doctor feeds the stent through the cystoscope and guides it into the ureter from the bladder.
A renal stent has pigtails on either end that curl in opposite directions and hold the stent in place, one in the ureter and the other in the kidney pelvis. The curved ends of the stent sit in the ureter and kidney pelvis and help the stent stay in place without moving. A straight stent is held in place by its friction with the ureter walls. Once the stent is positioned, the doctor removes the cystoscope, leaving the stent in place. They will attach a string to the end of the stent that hangs out of the body. This makes it easier to remove the stent later. The whole process takes around 30 minutes and is done on an outpatient basis unless there are complications.
The stent is typically replaced every three to six months, depending on the type of stent and the doctor's advice. Like the insertion, the doctor attaches a small camera to the stent to see its position during removal. The doctor slots a special instrument over the external part of the stent to remove it. The doctor carefully pulls the stent out without disturbing the urethra or other organs. After removing the stent, the doctor checks the stent for signs of blockage or damage. The doctor will then fill the urethra with an antibiotic solution to prevent infection and will monitor the patient's recovery closely. Buyers should ensure they stock up on post-operative care products, such as antibacterial ointments.
Some of the trends fueling growth in the industry include:
Manufacturers are researching and developing stents with longer wear times from more robust materials. For instance, anti-microbial-coated silicone and nitinol-stents have been developed with longer wear times to protect against encrustation and infection.
Manufacturers are developing stents that incorporate imaging technologies similar to ultrasound or MRI. These imaging modalities will help physicians visualize and monitor the position and condition of the kidney stent without invasive procedures. This will help reduce exposure to radiation and significantly improve patient outcomes.
Healthcare providers are increasingly leaning toward outpatient procedures as they are less costly and less time-consuming. Advances in stent technology, like more robust designs, have made it more feasible for kidney stone and obstruction surgeries to be done on an outpatient basis.
Research and development are looking into more personalized urology treatments based on a patient's genetic predisposition and health history. This will improve treatment outcomes as stents will be designed based on a patient's unique biology.
Scientists are exploring autonomous stents, automatically programmed to dissolve and be reabsorbed by the body when no longer needed. This will eliminate the need for surgical removal and minimize healthcare costs and patient inconvenience.
There is increasing interest in urinary catheters and stents that can connect to mobile apps to monitor vital metrics. This would allow for real-time feedback and help the healthcare practitioner and patient stay updated on their health conditions without needing frequent hospital visits.
A1. The primary purpose of a stent is to keep the ureter open and ensure kidney stones or urine can flow from the kidneys to the bladder. Urologists will insert a stent during kidney stone surgery to help the stone break down into smaller pieces. It can also be placed weeks before surgery to relieve symptoms of blocked kidney stones.
A2. People experiencing kidney stone pain or blockage, especially those with big stones, can benefit from a stent. Doctors may also place a stent after kidney stone surgery to facilitate recovery. Besides, a stent can be placed before surgery to prevent damage from prolonged obstruction. Therefore, surgeries and other treatments typically done without complications but requiring quick interventions can benefit from a stent.
A3. Yes, the new trends are in response to the demand and work healthcare professionals are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic they had to cop with after. Outpatient procedures with durable yet easily insertable stents suitable for outpatient procedures are being developed. They are also developing long-wear, robust, infection-resistant, smartphone-compatible, real-time monitoring devices to help manage kidney issues without frequent hospital visits. Autonomous stents dissolve on demand to eliminate the need for surgery, suitable for patients who cannot tolerate surgery. Moreover, provisional reimbursement and minimal invasiveness stent procedures for outpatient kidney issues and management by telehealth are being integrated nationwide due to favorable trends.
A4. A ureteral stent typically lasts 3 to 12 months, while a permanent stent can last over five years. Doctors factor in things like how well the person is doing and whether there are problems like infections or stones when deciding how long to keep the stent in. Temporary permanent stents usually last three to six months, while permanent renal stents last more than five years. Temporary stents may be replaced more than once if the issue requires longer treatment, but they are typically removed once the patient recovers.
