This guide offers an educational, technical overview of urology & incontinence management and the device technologies used in this field. This clinical area covers urinary drainage, stone management, and the treatment of incontinence, using devices that maintain or restore the flow of urine and support the management of stones. As a medical device manufacturer, INVAMED develops technologies in this area; the information here is educational and not medical advice.
Background: Urinary Drainage, Stone Management, and Incontinence
Ureteral drainage is commonly achieved with double-J (DJ) ureteral stents, while percutaneous nephrostomy places a drainage catheter directly into the renal collecting system through the skin under imaging guidance when ureteral stenting is not possible. Device selection across drainage, stone, and incontinence applications is determined by the treating urologist based on the anatomy, indication, and patient factors. This clinical area covers urinary drainage, stone management, and the treatment of incontinence, using devices that maintain or restore the flow of urine and support the management of stones.
Core Technologies and Options
Ureteral (Double-J) Stents. A ureteral stent is a thin, flexible tube placed within the ureter to maintain drainage of urine from the kidney to the bladder, often after stone treatment or to relieve obstruction. The double-J configuration has curled ends that anchor the stent in the renal pelvis and bladder to reduce migration, and surface coatings can affect insertion and encrustation behavior. Percutaneous Nephrostomy. Percutaneous nephrostomy places a drainage catheter directly into the renal collecting system through the skin under imaging guidance, relieving obstruction when ureteral stenting is not possible. A pigtail retention design at the catheter tip helps keep it seated within the collecting system. Double-J Stent Placement and Materials. Double-J stents are typically placed cystoscopically over a guidewire, with the two curled ends providing retention at the kidney and bladder. Material and coating influence handling and how the stent interacts with the urinary environment over its indwelling period. Guidewires for Urological Procedures. A guidewire provides a rail over which stents, catheters, and other devices are advanced along the urinary tract, and is fundamental to safe endourological access. Wire characteristics such as tip flexibility and coating affect navigation through the ureter and collecting system. Stone Extraction Baskets. A stone extraction basket is a wire-mesh device deployed through a ureteroscope to capture ureteral or renal stones so they can be removed, as described in the site FAQ. Tipless designs are intended to allow safer engagement of a stone without a leading tip that could cause mucosal trauma. Mid-Urethral Slings (TOT/TVT). Mid-urethral slings are used to treat stress urinary incontinence by providing support beneath the mid-urethra, and are described in trans-obturator (TOT) and retropubic (TVT) approaches. The two routes differ in the path the tape takes, and the choice reflects anatomy and clinical considerations weighed by the surgeon.
Comparing the Approaches
Double-J stent vs Nephrostomy tube. A double-J stent drains urine internally from the kidney to the bladder along the ureter, while a nephrostomy tube drains externally through a catheter placed directly into the kidney through the skin. INVAMED offers both the UroFlow ureteral stent and the Bionovus Percutaneous Nephrostomy Catheter for these respective approaches. Silicone stent vs Polyurethane ureteral stent. Silicone and polyurethane are both used for ureteral stents and differ in properties such as softness, tensile strength, and encrustation behavior described in the literature. INVAMED's UroFlow stents are made from polyurethane with an optional phosphorylcholine surface treatment and hydrophilic options. Stent vs No stent after ureteroscopy. After ureteroscopy, the decision to place a stent or not is discussed in the literature and depends on factors such as the procedure performed and the ureter's condition. Omitting a stent avoids stent-related symptoms but is only appropriate in selected situations.
INVAMED Portfolio in This Area
INVAMED's related devices include: UroFlow Ureteral Stents, Bionovus Percutaneous Nephrostomy Catheter, Zebra Guidewire for Urological Procedures, FlexInject Flexible Injection Needle, Bionovus Nephrectomy Set. Detailed specifications for each are provided in the product documentation.
Key Considerations
- Ureteral stent length and diameter (in French) are matched to the patient's anatomy to support drainage and reduce discomfort.
- All INVAMED urology devices are intended for use by trained clinicians under appropriate guidance and in accordance with the IFU.
- Adhering to the intended stent dwell time is emphasized to limit encrustation and related complications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are UroFlow stents made of?
INVAMED describes UroFlow Ureteral Stents as polyurethane (PUR) with an optional phosphorylcholine (PC) surface treatment and hydrophilic options, in a double-J configuration for ureteral drainage.
How long can a ureteral stent stay in place?
Ureteral stents have a defined maximum dwell time stated in the device documentation to limit encrustation and other risks, and the exact timing of removal or exchange is set by the urologist.
How many procedures use INVAMED urology products?
According to invamed.com content surfaced via the search index, INVAMED reports that its urology products are used in over 15,000 procedures annually, a manufacturer-reported usage figure.
About INVAMED
Device availability and regulatory status vary by country. Please contact INVAMED or your authorized local distributor for current regulatory information applicable to your region.
Related on INVAMED
- Urology & Incontinence Management — product category
- Choosing a Urology & Incontinence Management Supplier: What Buyers Should Know
- UroFlow Ureteral Stents: What Clinicians and Buyers Should Know
- Can you live a normal life with a nephrostomy tube?
Important Disclaimer
This content is educational and technical in nature and must not be interpreted as medical advice or as a promise of any clinical outcome. Individual results depend on many factors and can only be evaluated by a treating physician. Figures attributed to INVAMED reflect manufacturer or published data and are not a guarantee of results. All INVAMED devices are to be used by trained clinicians per the approved IFU, and availability is subject to local regulatory status.
Reviewed by the INVAMED Medical Affairs team. Content is educational and technical in nature.