A novel biodegradable device for intestinal lengthening

Optimization of In-Continuity Spring-Mediated Intestinal Lengthening

“…However, since we show that springs are able to safely pass on their own, this clears a major hurdle in translating this procedure into a potential therapy. Another technique we have developed in the past was to use springs made from polycaprolactone, which is a biodegradable material [13]. These springs are also able to induce lengthening, and eventually are resorbed.…”

“…Given the ongoing need for novel therapies to treat SBS, one area of active research is intestinal regeneration. There are a variety of different devices and methods that have been studied to apply mechanical force to induce novel intestinal tissue growth [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. One method that has been studied relies on endoluminal springs that facilitate new tissue growth as they reexpand.…”

New Insights and Interventions for Short Bowel Syndrome

“…described a novel biodegradable spring device that could be placed within the bowel to effect lengthening; this was a step beyond nitinol springs, which would require repeat procedures to retrieve implanted devices [16]. The new spring device was made from poly-caprolactone, a food and drug administration approved material that can degrade in the body [21]. This was expanded upon, whereby springs were placed repeatedly in a rodent model, which showed the capacity for intestinal segments of rodent to lengthen repeatedly [22].…”

Collagen and heparan sulfate coatings differentially alter cell proliferation and attachment in vitro and in vivo

“…Current treatments for SBS include total parenteral nutrition and intestinal transplantation, but both are associated with unacceptable rates of complications 4–7 . Newer treatments have attempted to increase intestinal transit time or intestinal length, thereby improving nutrient absorption 8–10 , but have limited regenerative ability. Tissue engineering is an emerging field of biomedical research that aims to regrow or create tissues or organs and may be a viable alternative to current treatments for SBS 11 .…”