A team led by the University of British Columbia reported on Apr. 9 the development of a wireless ureteral stent sleeve designed for early detection of hydronephrosis, according to a study published in Microsystems & Nanoengineering (DOI: 10.1038/s41378-026-01224-1).
Ureteral stents are commonly used to relieve obstructions and protect kidney function, but blockages can still occur, leading to hydronephrosis and increased pressure that may damage renal function. Current monitoring methods rely on imaging techniques such as X-rays or ultrasound, which provide only intermittent assessments and are not suitable for continuous remote follow-up.
The newly developed device, called UroSleeve, fits over standard double-J ureteral stents without changing their design or manufacturing process. It combines a flexible spiral antenna with a microfabricated capacitive pressure sensor that tracks kidney pressure through near-field inductive coupling in an ex vivo model. The system uses a passive LC tank circuit that does not require an onboard battery.
In tests using swine kidneys and ureters outside the body, researchers simulated hydronephrosis by increasing fluid pressure in the renal pelvis while reading data wirelessly from an external antenna. The device detected pressure changes through shifts in resonant frequency; baseline phase-dip frequency was measured at 15.234 MHz at 8.5 mmHg, with sensitivity reaching −5.3 ± 0.74 kHz/mmHg up to pressures of 56 mmHg.
Researchers said that the modular add-on format allows UroSleeve to be adapted across multiple commercial stent platforms while simplifying manufacturing and regulatory approval processes. They suggest this approach could lead to smarter urological monitoring by enabling earlier detection of obstruction, more precise timing for stent exchange, reduced reliance on radiographic imaging, and more personalized patient follow-up after procedures involving stones or strictures.
Future work will include studies under physiological conditions in living subjects as well as long-term reliability testing and calibration for clinical use.
