Endourethral device & method

• US 20060195008A1
• Filed: 04/28/2006
• Published: 08/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SRS Medical Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: AbbeyMoor Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Willard, Lloyd K., Reid, John M., Whalen, Mark J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,016,742 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/29
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1085 Bladder
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1089 Urethra
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0017 specially adapted for long-term hygiene care, e.g. urethral or indwelling catheters to prevent infections
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/006 for illumination or simulation of snowy or iced items, e.g. icicle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/25 Artificial sphincters and devices for controlling urinary incontinence

Abstract

An endourethral device is provided having an elongate member having proximal and distal segments, the elongate member positionable within a lower urinary tract so as to at least partially traverses a prostatic urethra. A proximal anchor, adapted to abuttingly engage portions of a bladder neck so as to at least proximally anchor the device, is supported at least indirectly by the proximal segment of said elongate member. The proximal anchor includes bladder engaging elements radially extending from the proximal segment of said elongate member, urine being freely dischargable about at least the proximal segment so as to substantially bathe the bladder neck therewith.

Claims

1-21. -21. (canceled)

22. An endourethral stent comprising:

a. a stent body anchorable at a bladder neck;

b. a mechanical anchor for cooperative engagement with a bulbous urethra;

c. a linkage extending from said stent body for uniting said mechanical anchor with said stent body, and,

d. a retrieval tether for removing the stent, said linkage united with said retrieval tether.

23. The endourethral stent of claim 22 wherein said stent body is adapted to carry and deliver an effective amount of therapeutic agent to a lower urinary tract.

24. The endourethral stent of claim 22 wherein said body includes a coating comprising a therapeutic agent.

25. The endourethral stent of claim 22 wherein said body includes a coating comprising a hydrogel.

26. The endourethral stent of claim 22 wherein said body includes a coating comprising an antimicrobial.

27. The endourethral stent of claim 22 wherein said body includes a coating comprising an antibiotic.

28. The endourethral stent of claim 22 wherein said stent body includes a fluid fillable anchor.

29. The endourethral stent of claim 22 wherein said stent body includes an actuatable anchor.

30. The endourethral stent of claim 22 wherein said stent body includes a selectively expandable anchor element.

31. The endourethral stent of claim 22 wherein said mechanical anchor is deformable.

32. The endourethral stent of claim 22 wherein said mechanical anchor has an arcuate cross section.

33. The endourethral stent of claim 32 wherein said mechanical anchor is resilient.

34. The endourethral stent of claim 33 wherein said mechanical anchor comprises a strut.

35. The endourethral stent of claim 33 wherein said mechanical anchor comprises an encapsulated strut.

36. The endourethral stent of claim 31 wherein said mechanical anchor is configured as a ring.

37. The endourethral stent of claim 31 wherein said mechanical anchor is configured as a coil.

38. The endourethral stent of claim 31 wherein said mechanical anchor is configured as a loop.

39. An endourethral stent adapted to deliver an effective amount of therapeutic agent to a lower urinary tract, the endourethral stent comprising a stent body and proximal and distal anchors, said proximal anchor actuatable so as to extend from a surface of an end portion of said stent body, said distal anchor being non-rigidly linked to said body so as to extend therefrom for engagement with a bulbous urethra.

40. The endourethral stent of claim 39 further comprising a non-rigid linkage, said non-rigid linkage connecting said distal anchor to a portion of said stent body.

41. The endourethral stent of claim 40 wherein said non-rigid linkage comprises a single suture.

42. The endourethral stent of claim 41 wherein said non-rigid linkage comprises a configuration of multiple sutures.

43. The endourethral stent of claim 40 wherein said non-rigid linkage includes a free end terminating at a retrieval tether of said stent.

44. An endourethral device comprising a proximal anchor structure adapted to engage at least portions of a bladder neck so as to at least proximally anchor said device, a stent body rigidly extending from said proximal anchor and adapted to deliver an effective amount of therapeutic agent to a lower urinary tract, and a distal anchor structure tethered to said stent body for engagement with a bulbous urethra.