June 8, 2022
Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Technology Research Institute
Tokyo Medical University
University of Fukui
Keio University School of Medicine, Cancer Center
The Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Technology Research Institute (TIRI), in collaboration with Tokyo Medical University, the University of Fukui, and the Advanced Minimally Invasive Therapy Unit of the Keio University School of Medicine, Cancer Center, has developed a "stent" with world-first features. This stent is implanted in the bile duct (the tube through which bile flows) and is used as a palliative therapy for advanced bile duct or pancreatic cancer.
This will enable long-term palliative therapy using the stent and is expected to significantly reduce the burden on cancer patients and healthcare professionals.
Key Development Points
It is a stent with unprecedented properties that combines the respective advantages of conventional metal and plastic stents (long-term use and removability).
By using a material for the stent (PVA hydrogel) that expands when it absorbs moisture, the flow of bile can be secured, helping to resolve jaundice.
Please see below for the full press release.