Why hasn't an artificial bladder been invented?

5 years 11 months ago #55124 by uyoeli
I have a neobladder, and the question I had before the surgery is why hasn't an artificial valve been invented to control continence, which seems the issue most people are worried about. As you say, it sounds fairly simple.

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5 years 11 months ago #55115 by sara.anne
Replied by sara.anne on topic Why hasn't an artificial bladder been invented?
A lot of research is being done on this issue. Bladders have even been grown in tissue culture, although this technique is certainly not ready for “prime time.” Why haven’t artificial hearts already replaced heart transplants? Because it just isn’t that simple.....”just hook it up to a couple of tubes...”. For example many of the problems with the functionality of a neobladder have to do with “hooking it up” to the tubes!

Sara Anne

Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
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5 years 11 months ago #55113 by richard_lv
Hi all,

My dad was recently diagnosed with a non-invasive cancer but I am preparing for the worst and doing a lot of research.

Does anyone know why an artificial bladder hasn't been invented it?

It seems as simple as a sack that connects 3 tubes. Two from kidneys and one to urethra. Where's the catch?

Current approach is to make a neobladder but that is not quite an artificial bladder.

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