Abstract
Endobronchial stent therapy is an accepted method for the treatment of endobronchial stenosis. It is limited by a loss of physiologic surface and, thus, mucus retention. We developed a novel concept for a vitalized endobronchial stent (fig. 1 A). The concept is based on the combination of stent technologies with the principles of tissue engineering. The RespiStent provides (1) a functional respiratory epithelium on the luminal side, which allows the maintenance of the mucociliary function in the stented area and hereby will help to reduce complications of mucus retention, (2) embedded micro- or nanosphere formulations, enabling the sustained release of tissue-specific therapeutics in combination with (3) a mechanical separating layer on the external side, avoiding restenosis by a tissue ingrowth.
In addition (4) an adequate anchorage resulting from the specific stent design and the biological coating of the stent struts guarantees an adequate fixation and embedding of the construct into the surrounding tissue, thereby avoiding stent displacement during breathing and coughing. As seen in fig. 1 B and C, the stent structure embeds readily in a fibrin-gel based tissue-engineered construct.
The novel RespiStent with active mucociliary clearance will improve quality of life and increase the life expectancy of patients undergoing endobronchial stent therapy.
- © 2011 ERS
