Drainage devices and methods
AssigneeSciMed Life Systems, Inc.
InventorWillet F. Whitmore III
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A ureteral drainage stent is designed to be placed in a patient's ureter and extend into a patient's bladder. An elongated tubular segment includes a distal region for placement in the renal cavity, and a proximal region for placement in a urinary bladder. A central lumen connects at least one opening in the distal region to at least one opening in the proximal region. The elongated segment is constructed such that the wall surrounding the lumen is thinner in the proximal region than in the distal region. The thin-walled portion of the elongated segment extends along at least part of the ureter, across the ureteral vesicle junction, and from there into the bladder.
Claims45
A medical device for assisting the drainage of fluid from a body cavity, comprising:
- an elongated segment extending from a distal region through a transition zone to a proximal region, said segment having a substantially constant outer diameter and an inner wall defining a lumen having an inner diameter in the proximal region that is greater than the inner diameter in the distal region.
A medical device for assisting the drainage of fluid from a body cavity, comprising:
- an elongated segment extending from a distal region through a transition zone to a proximal region, said segment having a substantially constant outer diameter and an inner wall defining a lumen having an inner diameter in the proximal region that is greater than the inner diameter in the distal region;
- and a second segment comprising an exterior wall contacting at least a portion of the inner wall of said elongated segment, and further comprising an inner wall defining a lumen coaxial with said lumen of said elongated segment.
A medical device for assisting the drainage of fluid from a body cavity, said device comprising an elongated segment having an annular wall defining a lumen, said lumen extending from a distal opening to a proximal opening;
- said annular wall having a thickness near said distal opening greater than near said proximal opening, wherein said elongated segment is kink resistant near said distal opening and pliable near said proximal opening.
A method for treatment of blockage of urine flow from a kidney to a urinary bladder, the method comprising:
- a) providing a medical device for assisting the drainage of fluid from a body cavity, comprising an elongated segment extending from a distal region through a transition zone to a proximal region, said segment having a substantially constant outer diameter and an inner wall defining a lumen having an inner diameter in the proximal region that is greater than the inner diameter in the distal region;
- and
- b) inserting said device in a ureter.
A method for treatment of blockage of urine flow from a kidney to a urinary bladder, the method comprising:
- a) providing a medical device for assisting the drainage of fluid from a body cavity, comprising an elongated segment extending from a distal region through a transition zone to a proximal region, said segment having a substantially constant outer diameter and an inner wall defining a lumen having an inner diameter in the proximal region that is greater than the inner diameter in the distal region;
- and a second segment comprising an exterior wall contacting at least a portion of the inner wall in the distal region of said elongated segment, and further comprising an inner wall defining a lumen coaxial with said lumen of said elongated segment;
- and
- b) inserting said device into a ureter.
A method for treatment of blockage of urine flow from a kidney to a urinary bladder, the method comprising:
- a) providing a medical device for assisting the drainage of fluid from a body cavity, said device comprising an elongated segment having an annular wall defining a lumen, said lumen extending from a distal opening to a proximal opening;
- said annular wall having a thickness near said distal opening greater than near said proximal opening, wherein said elongated segment is kink resistant near said distal opening and pliable near said proximal opening;
- and
- b) inserting said device into a ureter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.