NYU collaborates with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi to develop ‘Lily’ Stent to treat bariatric surgery leaks

UAE—Researchers from NYU Abu Dhabi and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi have developed a novel stent design that could improve the treatment of gastric leaks following weight-loss (bariatric) surgery.

The innovation aims to enhance fluid drainage, speed up recovery, and potentially reduce the need for additional corrective procedures.

The findings were published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, where the team introduced a new device called the “Lily” stent, developed under a design framework known as PETALS (Personalized Endoscopic Transmural Abscess Leak Solution).

A flower-inspired engineering approach

Drawing inspiration from natural geometry, the Lily stent features a six-part, flower-like cross-sectional structure designed to improve how fluid flows through it.

Rather than relying solely on conventional cylindrical shapes, the researchers focused on how structural form influences drainage efficiency.

The PETALS framework guided the design process by prioritizing personalized, function-driven engineering for endoscopic applications, particularly in complex post-surgical leak cases.

Improved fluid drainage in laboratory testing

In laboratory simulations, the Lily stent demonstrated approximately 30% higher drainage flow compared with standard cylindrical commercial stents.

The researchers observed that the cross-sectional geometry of the device played a more significant role in fluid movement than factors such as anchoring features or simply increasing diameter.

These results suggest that structural design alone can significantly influence performance, opening new possibilities for the engineering of medical stents.

Expert perspectives on the innovation

Khalil Ramadi, Assistant Professor of Bioengineering at NYU Abu Dhabi and Global Network Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, who served as the senior author of the study, explained that the key insight lies in how tube geometry affects fluid flow.

He noted that the innovation goes beyond changing materials, emphasizing that reshaping the structure itself can significantly improve performance.

Parima Phowarasoontorn, a research assistant in Ramadi’s lab and first author of the study, added that the work shifts attention from simply placing stents to engineering their functional behaviour at a structural level.

She emphasized that the new designs remain compatible with existing endoscopic delivery methods while improving drainage efficiency.

Clinical collaboration and potential benefits

Dr. Sawsan Abdel-Razig, Chief Academic Officer at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, highlighted that the collaboration reflects a commitment to translating engineering innovation into clinically meaningful solutions.

She noted that combining clinical expertise with engineering research helps address complex surgical challenges more effectively and supports advances that directly improve patient care.

Material performance and manufacturing advantages

Beyond improved fluid dynamics, the Lily stent is reported to be more flexible than existing polyethene-based devices, potentially enhancing patient comfort and reducing tissue irritation or damage.

Early assessments also indicate biocompatibility comparable to currently used materials.

The design can be manufactured using conventional production methods, meaning it does not require specialized 3D printing systems.

Next steps toward clinical use

Although the device has been tested only in simulations and laboratory models to date, the researchers note that further studies are required before clinical application can begin.

If future trials confirm its safety and performance, the innovation could help shorten recovery times and reduce the need for repeat interventions for patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

Research team and funding

In addition to Ramadi and Phowarasoontorn, the study included researchers Yongbin Ko, Sungyun Sohn, Heba Tageldeen Naser, Abdel-Hameed Dabbour, Batoul Khlaifat, Oraib Al-Ketan, and Mohamed Ali from NYU Abu Dhabi.

Contributors from Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi included Juan S. Barajas-Gamboa, Juan P. Pantoja, Ahmed AlZubaidi, Carlos Abril Vega, and John Rodriguez from its Digestive Disease Institute, alongside Matthew Kroh from the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.

The research received funding support from NYU Abu Dhabi and Sandooq Al Watan.