Convertible nephroureteral catheter

A method for converting a catheter into a stent comprising:

• providing a catheter having a tube comprising a distal end, a proximal end, a first retention feature near the distal end and a second retention feature near the proximal end, and a detachable portion comprising a distal end and a proximal end,
• wherein the detachable portion is in fluid communication with and is removably attachable to the tube, the distal end of the detachable portion being removably attachable to the proximal end of the tube, the distal end of the detachable portion having an outer diameter that is substantially the same as an outer diameter of the proximal end of the tube, and wherein the tube and the detachable portion together form a convertible catheter;
• percutaneously implanting the convertible catheter into a first bodily cavity so that the first retention feature is curled and disposed in a second bodily cavity, the second retention feature is curled and disposed in the first bodily cavity, and the detachable portion extends external to a patient, wherein the first retention feature and second retention feature are each curled while the detachable portion is coupled to the tube;
• proximally pulling a string releasably coupled to the tube adjacent the second retention feature to curl the second retention feature;
• allowing fluid to drain through the implanted convertible catheter;
• removing the detachable portion from the catheter to convert the catheter into an internal stent,
• wherein an inner tube extends through at least a portion of both the tube and the detachable portion and comprises at least one lumen,
• wherein a wire extends through at least a portion of the at least one lumen and couples the detachable portion to the tube via an extension extending through a wall of the tube, and
• wherein removing the detachable portion from the catheter to convert the catheter into the internal stent comprises proximally retracting the wire to disconnect the detachable portion from the tube;
• and
• retaining the internal stent in the first bodily cavity and the second bodily cavity.