Ureteral stent with end-effector and related methods

A system for introducing a urinary stent into a patient, comprising:

• a pusher tube comprising a pusher tube lumen and an inflate lumen disposed within a wall of said pusher tube;
• a urinary stent comprising a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an elongated body portion configured to fit the ureter of the patient and defining a lumen therebetween;
• a balloon positioned at said proximal portion of said urinary stent for retaining said proximal portion in the urinary bladder;
• and
• a retention end-piece positioned at said distal portion of said stent for retaining said distal portion of said stent in the renal pelvis, wherein said balloon and said retention end-piece maintain said elongated body portion in situ.

A method for maintaining patentcy of the ureter comprising drainage of the urinary bladder comprises the steps of:

• inserting a urinary stent into the urinary tract of a patient, said stent comprising:
• a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an elongated body portion configured to fit the ureter of the patient and defining a lumen therebetween;
• a balloon positioned at said proximal portion for retaining said proximal portion in the urinary bladder;
• a retention end-piece positioned at said distal portion of said stent for retaining said distal portion of said stent in the renal pelvis, wherein said balloon and said retention end-piece maintain said elongated body portion in situ;
• deploying said retention end-piece positioned at said distal portion;
• inflating said balloon positioned at said proximal portion;
• facilitating urinary drainage from said distal portion of said stent to said proximal portion of said stent;
• and
• removing said urinary stent from the urinary tract of the patient.