Apparatus, systems, and methods for removing obstructions in the urinary tract

A method for facilitating movement of an obstruction through a ureter communicating with a bladder of a body, the method comprising:

• introducing fluid into a portion of the ureter between the obstruction and the bladder to dilate a wall of the ureter to reduce a frictional force exerted by the ureter wall on the obstruction;
• measuring a parameter including at least one of diameter of the ureter or pressure, flow rate, or volume of the fluid introduced into the ureter;
• and
• adjusting at least one of the pressure, flow rate, or volume of the fluid introduced into the ureter based on the measured parameter to modify dilation of the ureter and to cause the obstruction to move through the ureter towards the bladder.

A system for facilitating movement of a kidney stone through a ureter communicating with a bladder of a body, the system comprising:

• a tubular member comprising a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a ureter, an infusion lumen, an aspiration lumen, and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends;
• one or more infusion ports at or near the distal end of the tubular member and in fluid communication with the infusion lumen;
• one or more aspiration ports at or near the distal end of the tubular member and in fluid communication with the aspiration lumen;
• one or more sources of fluid and suction connectable to the tubular member at or near its proximal end such that fluid is delivered from the one or more sources into the infusion lumen and suction is delivered from the one or more sources into the aspiration lumen;
• and
• at least one controller coupled to the one or more sources to control infusion of fluid through the infusion ports to generate a radially outward pressure against a wall of a ureter near the infusion tip and to control suction through the one or more aspiration ports to apply a suction force proximally along the longitudinal axis against a kidney stone located near the infusion tip.

An apparatus for facilitating movement of a kidney stone through a ureter of a patient, the apparatus comprising:

• an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end and a diameter sized to pass through at least a portion of the ureter;
• at least one fluid introduction lumen in the body for introducing fluid into the ureter;
• at least one fluid introduction aperture at or near the distal end of the body and in fluid communication with the at least one fluid introduction lumen;
• at least one suction lumen in the body for applying suction to at least one of the fluid or the kidney stone;
• at least one suction aperture at or near the distal end of the body and in fluid communication with the at least one suction lumen;
• and
• at least one sensor for sensing one or more parameters at or near the distal end of the elongate body.