Techniques and instrumentation for the removal of retained ureteral stents

A retained ureteral stent removal technique comprising:

• attaching a proximal end of the stent to a pulling member;
• pulling the proximal end of the stent through a lumen of an elongate device using the pulling member and advancing a distal end of the elongate device along the stent up a ureter towards a blockage retaining the stent, wherein:
• pressure applied by the distal end of the elongate device in opposition to the stent pulled in respective tension removes the blockage;
• and
• the elongate device comprises an outer sheath coaxially and slidably retaining an inner sheath therein and wherein the inner sheath is pulled from the outer sheath to allow the blockage to enter a distal end of the outer sheath.