A 3D Printed Implantable Device for Voiding the Bladder Using Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) Actuators

Abstract: Underactive bladder or detrusor underactivity (DU) is defined as a reduction of contraction strength or duration of the bladder wall. Despite the serious healthcare implications of DU, there are limited solutions for affected individuals. A flexible 3D printed implantable device driven by shape memory alloys (SMA) actuators is presented here for the first time to physically contract the bladder to restore voluntary control of the bladder for individuals suffering from DU. This approach is used initially in benchtop experiments with a rubber balloon acting as a model for the rat bladder to verify its potential for voiding, and that the operating temperatures are safe for the eventual implantation of the device in a rat. The device is then implanted and tested on an anesthetized rat, and a voiding volume of more than 8% is successfully achieved for the SMA‐based device without any surgical intervention or drug injection to relax the external sphincter.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: A 3D Printed Implantable Device for Voiding the Bladder Using Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) Actuators ; volume:4 ; number:11 ; year:2017 ; extent:10 ; Advanced science ; 4, Heft 11 (2017) (gesamt 10)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Hassani, Faezeh Arab ; Peh, Wendy Yen Xian ; Gammad, Gil Gerald Lasam ; Mogan, Roshini Priya ; Ng, Tze Kiat ; Kuo, Tricia Li Chuen ; Ng, Lay Guat ; Luu, Percy ; Yen, Shih‐Cheng ; Lee, Chengkuo

Further information

• DOI: 10.1002/advs.201700143
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2022091905313245586122
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:37 AM CEST