MEMS-Enabled Wireless Ureteral Stent with Integrated Antenna for Local Pressure Monitoring

This work investigates the first “smart” ureteral stent integrated with a radiofrequency antenna and a micro pressure sensor for resonance-based wireless monitoring of kidney pressure. Prototyping is conducted using a commercial ureteral stent as the substrate for the integration of the antenna-sensor circuit. The fabricated device is electrically characterized and wirelessly tested using an in-vitro test model. Preliminary telemetry test results demonstrate the intended ability of the stent device with its frequency responses of 3.5 kHz/mmHg over a pressure range of up to 120 mmHg, verifying the efficacy of the device design and approach to remote local pressure sensing via the smart ureteral stents.