Indwelling stent
First Claim
1. A stent for facilitating the drainage of fluids through an obstructed duct within the body and through a sphincter at the exit of the obstructed duct while inhibiting reflux by allowing for the normal functioning of the sphincter, said stent comprising:
- an inflow end portion, an outflow end portion, and a drainage tube therebetween, said inflow end portion defining inlet means for allowing fluid to enter into the inflow end of said drainage tube, said outflow end portion defining outlet means for allowing fluid to exit the outflow end of said drainage tube;
means for anchoring said stent in an obstructed duct with the inflow end of said drainage tube positioned within the duct; and
means for enhancing the drainage for fluid exiting said outlet means from within the duct while inhibiting reflux by allowing for the sphincter at the exit of the duct to function in a normal manner, said drainage enhancing/reflux inhibiting means including a wick extending from the outflow end of said drainage tube and comprising an extended arcical section of said drainage tube, whereby said wick enhances drainage by providing a wicking effect for fluid exiting said drainage tube while reducing the possible effect of reflux by allowing the sphincter at the exit of the duct to function in a normal manner.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An indwelling stent is disclosed which facilitates the drainage of fluids through a duct within the body, and which is easily removed when needed. The disclosed stent is a double wing stent and includes multiple flaps at each end for anchoring and has a continuously uninterrupted drainage tube therebetween. Constructed at the outflow end of the stent is a wick, which is made of an extended arcical section of the drainage tube of the stent and serves to enhance drainage by providing a "wicking" effect for fluid as it exits the stent'"'"'s outflow end, while inhibiting reflux by allowing for the sphincter at the exit of the obstructed duct to function in a normal manner. The wick further serves to facilitate removal by providing a portion which is easily graspable by an instrument inserted into the body for retention and removal.
305 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A stent for facilitating the drainage of fluids through an obstructed duct within the body and through a sphincter at the exit of the obstructed duct while inhibiting reflux by allowing for the normal functioning of the sphincter, said stent comprising:
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an inflow end portion, an outflow end portion, and a drainage tube therebetween, said inflow end portion defining inlet means for allowing fluid to enter into the inflow end of said drainage tube, said outflow end portion defining outlet means for allowing fluid to exit the outflow end of said drainage tube; means for anchoring said stent in an obstructed duct with the inflow end of said drainage tube positioned within the duct; and means for enhancing the drainage for fluid exiting said outlet means from within the duct while inhibiting reflux by allowing for the sphincter at the exit of the duct to function in a normal manner, said drainage enhancing/reflux inhibiting means including a wick extending from the outflow end of said drainage tube and comprising an extended arcical section of said drainage tube, whereby said wick enhances drainage by providing a wicking effect for fluid exiting said drainage tube while reducing the possible effect of reflux by allowing the sphincter at the exit of the duct to function in a normal manner. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification