Nanotechnology in the Treatment of Incontinence

This chapter examines the treatment of urinary and fecal incontinence, from the perspective of nanotechnology‐based interventions. Within the scope of regenerative medicine, nanotechnology can first be applied to tissue engineering (TE) to replace key functions of the organs responsible for continen...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inNanoscience and Nanotechnology for Human Health pp. 315 - 328
Main Authors Leung, Vanessa, Gingert, Christian
Format Book Chapter
LanguageEnglish
Published Weinheim, Germany Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA 25.01.2017
Subjects
autonomous nervous systems
fecal incontinence
gastrointestinal tract
regenerative medicine
three‐dimensional scaffolds
tissue engineering
urinary sphincter
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:This chapter examines the treatment of urinary and fecal incontinence, from the perspective of nanotechnology‐based interventions. Within the scope of regenerative medicine, nanotechnology can first be applied to tissue engineering (TE) to replace key functions of the organs responsible for continence. An intact urinary continence consists of a complex interplay of the central, peripheral, and autonomous nervous systems. The urinary sphincter is composed of a thin inner layer and a thick outer layer. With an urodynamic test, the strength and urinary sphincter health can be assessed and the type of urinary incontinence (UI) can be distinguished. In the treatment of incontinence, nanotechnology can be used to fabricate adaptive sphincters. To increase the likelihood of engrafting viable cells to the injured sphincter, cells can be combined with a biocompatible scaffold. An intact continence consists of a complex interplay of central, peripheral, and autonomous nervous system, a functioning gastrointestinal (GI) tract and anal sphincter complex.
ISBN:9783527338603
3527338608
DOI:10.1002/9783527692057.ch15