Wireless Ureteral Stent Sleeve for Early Hydronephrosis Detection

Researchers have developed a modular wireless pressure monitoring system called UroSleeve, designed to enable the early detection of hydronephrosis in patients using ureteral stents. The technology, detailed in a study published March 18, 2026, in Microsystems & Nanoengineering, provides a method for continuous intrarenal pressure monitoring without requiring changes to the design or manufacturing of existing ureteral stents.

Hydronephrosis is a serious complication associated with ureteral stents that occurs when increased intrarenal pressure persists, potentially leading to the deterioration of renal function. Until now, the only available method for diagnosing this condition has been radiographic imaging, as no continuous, non-invasive monitoring solution existed for clinical use.

Technical Architecture of UroSleeve

The UroSleeve is engineered as a sleeve that integrates seamlessly with standard ureteral stents. This modular approach allows the system to be added to existing medical hardware without altering the established manufacturing processes of the stents themselves.

The device utilizes a combination of specialized electronic components to achieve wireless telemetry. Its core architecture consists of a spiral antenna based on a flexible printed-circuit-board (PCB) and a surface-micromachined capacitive pressure sensor. Together, these components form an inductor-capacitor tank circuit.

The system operates through near-field inductive coupling, allowing it to transmit pressure data wirelessly. By monitoring shifts in the resonant frequency of the tank circuit, the system can detect changes in internal kidney pressure.

Performance and Testing Results

To evaluate the efficacy of the UroSleeve, researchers utilized an ex vivo porcine kidney model. During these tests, the internal pressure of the kidney was controlled externally to simulate the conditions of hydronephrosis.

The study recorded a baseline resonant frequency of 15.234 MHz at a pressure of 8.5 mmHg. The device demonstrated high sensitivity to pressure changes, with a measured sensitivity of -5.3 ± 0.74 kHz/mmHg.

The researchers found a strong correlation between the frequency response of the UroSleeve and the actual kidney pressure. The device maintained consistent performance while operating within a biological environment relevant to its intended use.

Research Collaboration and Development

The development of the UroSleeve involved a multidisciplinary collaboration across several international institutions. The research was led by Nabil Shalabi from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of British Columbia, alongside Kyle Searles from the university’s School of Biomedical Engineering.

Clinical and specialized expertise was provided by members of The Stone Centre at Vancouver General Hospital and the Department of Urologic Sciences at the University of British Columbia, including Roman Herout, Ben H Chew, Dirk Lange and Khaled Almutairi.

Additional institutional contributions came from the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at Technische Universität Dresden in Germany, as well as King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences and the King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The results of the ex vivo study suggest that the UroSleeve is a practical and versatile solution for wireless intrarenal pressure monitoring. The researchers indicate that the system is now amenable to future clinical translation, which would move the technology from laboratory models to human patients.