Ureteral stent

• US 20050131547A1
• Filed: 02/03/2005
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Teague, James, Segura, Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 8,021,434 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/23.700
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/048 Ureters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1082 Kidney
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1085 Bladder
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1089 Urethra
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/002 Implant devices for drainage of body fluids from one part of the body to another intraocular A61F9/00781; middle ear A61F11/202
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/008 pre-shaped, for use in the urethral or ureteral tract

Abstract

A stent is designed to be placed within a patient'"'"'s ureter to facilitate drainage from the patient'"'"'s kidneys to the bladder. An elongated portion of the stent includes a length sufficient to extend substantially within the ureter from the kidney to the bladder, and defines a lumen extending therethrough. A first end portion extends from one end of the elongated portion and is adapted to assume a retaining configuration when placed substantially within the kidney. A second end portion extends from another end of the elongated portion and flares outward when placed substantially within the bladder to maintain position. The second end portion allows fluids to flow through the lumen and into the bladder and is collapsible to prevent fluid from passing from the bladder to the kidney.

Claims

1. A ureteral stent, comprising:

(a) an elongated portion defining a lumen extending therethrough and including a length sufficient to extend substantially within the ureter from the kidney to the bladder;

(b) a first end portion extending from one end of the elongated portion, defining an interior space in communication with the lumen, and defining at least one opening in communication with the interior space, the first end portion for placement substantially within the kidney and adapted to assume a retaining configuration when placed substantially within the kidney; and

(c) a second end portion extending from another end of the elongated portion and flaring outward when placed substantially within the bladder to maintain position substantially within the bladder, the second end portion being collapsible to prevent fluid from passing into the lumen.

2-17. -17. (canceled)

18. A ureteral stent for facilitating drainage from the kidney to the bladder, the ureteral stent comprising:

(a) an elongated portion defining a lumen extending therethrough and including a length sufficient to extend substantially within the ureter from the kidney to the bladder;

(b) a first end portion extending from one end of the elongated portion, defining an interior space in communication with the lumen, and defining at least one opening in communication with the interior space, the first end portion for placement substantially within the kidney and adapted to assume a retaining configuration when placed substantially within the kidney; and

(c) a second end portion extending from another end of the elongated portion and being wrapped to form a conical structure, the second end portion adapted for placement, and for maintaining position, substantially within the bladder.

19. The stent of claim 18 wherein the conical structure comprises a first end, a second end including a width greater than a width of the first end, and a coiled segment disposed between the first and second ends and comprising at least one and a half windings.

20. The stent according to claim 18 wherein the second end portion comprises a polymer.

21. The stent of claim 18 wherein the second end portion comprises a super-elastic material.

22. The stent of claim 21 wherein the super elastic-material comprises a nickel-titanium alloy.

23. The stent of claim 18 wherein the second end portion comprises a mesh.

24. The stent of claim 18 wherein the second end portion comprises one or more tails for transporting liquid into the bladder.

25. A method of placing a ureteral stent into a urinary system, comprising:

(a) providing a ureteral stent comprising (i) an elongated portion defining a lumen extending therethrough and including a length sufficient to extend substantially within the ureter from the kidney to the bladder, (ii) a first end portion extending from one end of the elongated portion, defining an interior space in communication with the lumen, and defining at least one opening in communication with the interior space, the first end portion for placement substantially within the kidney and adapted to assume a retaining configuration when placed substantially within the kidney, and (iii) a second end portion extending from another end of the elongated portion and being wrapped to form a conical structure, the second end portion adapted for placement, and for maintaining position, substantially within the bladder;

(b) inserting the ureteral stent into the urinary system; and

(c) positioning the ureteral stent within the ureter such that the first end portion of the ureteral stent is substantially within the kidney and the second end portion is substantially within the bladder.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising:

(d) providing a catheter;

(e) inserting the ureteral stent within the catheter prior to inserting the ureteral stent into the urinary system;

(f) inserting the catheter into the urinary system; and

(g) removing the catheter from the urinary system subsequent to positioning the ureteral stent.