Longitudinally expanding medical device
First Claim
1. A medical device for use in a body of a patient, comprising:
- an elongated segment comprising a plurality of hoops defining a lumen therethrough; and
a flexible polymer material bridging the plurality of hoops, the flexible polymer material allowing the elongated segment to expand and contract.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A stent for maintaining an open passageway through a body lumen, such as the prostatic urethra of a male patient, includes an elongated segment including a flexible polymer material bridging a plurality of hoops. The elongated segment defines a lumen extending therethrough and has a distal end. A retention structure may be coupled to the distal end of the elongated segment to inhibit the distal end from migrating when the stent is placed within a body of a patient. The flexible polymer material is disposed between the plurality of hoops, thereby creating hinged members that allow for the spaces between the hoops to expand and contract longitudinally to accommodate prostatic swelling when the stent is placed within the prostatic urethra of the patient. A plurality of ridges is disposed along the elongated segment at locations where the flexible material circumscribes the hoops, and these inhibit migration of the stent and facilitate longitudinal expansion by frictionally engaging adjacent tissue, such as the inner wall of the prostatic urethra.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A medical device for use in a body of a patient, comprising:
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an elongated segment comprising a plurality of hoops defining a lumen therethrough; and
a flexible polymer material bridging the plurality of hoops, the flexible polymer material allowing the elongated segment to expand and contract. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A stent for use in a prostatic urethra of a patient, comprising:
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an elongated segment comprising a first end, a second end, and a plurality of hoops defining a lumen therethrough;
a flexible polymer material bridging the plurality of hoops to facilitate expansion of the elongated segment during prostatic swelling when the stent is within the prostatic urethra of the patient;
a first malecot comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the first malecot being disposed at the first end of the elongated segment; and
a curved tip disposed at the distal end of the first malecot. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of placing a stent in a prostatic urethra of a patient, the method comprising the steps:
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(a) providing a stent comprising;
(i) an elongated segment comprising a plurality of hoops defining a lumen therethrough; and
(ii) a flexible polymer material bridging the plurality of hoops, the flexible polymer material allowing spaces between the plurality of hoops to expand and contract to accommodate swelling of a prostate when the stent is within the prostatic urethra of the patient; and
(b) inserting the stent into the prostatic urethra of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification