Kinetic stent

A ureteral stent adapted for disposition in the ureter of a patient between a bladder and a kidney of the patient to facilitate dilation of the ureter to a desired diameter, comprising:

• a mesh body extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end the body having a diameter and first properties for self-expanding to an ultimate diameter less than the desired diameter of the ureter so that the mesh body has a tendency to migrate within the ureter;
• a first anchor being disposed at the first end of the mesh body and being sized and configured for operative disposition in the kidney of the patient, the first anchor inhibiting the migration of the mesh body in a first direction;
• a second anchor being disposed at the second end of the mesh body and being sized and configured for operative disposition in the bladder of the patient, the second anchor inhibiting the migration of the mesh body in a second direction opposite to the first direction;
• the mesh body having an initial diameter less than the ultimate diameter for facilitating insertion of the ureteral stent into the ureter;
• the mesh body exhibiting the first properties for self-expansion between the initial diameter and the ultimate diameter of the mesh body;
• the mesh body having second properties for maintaining a radial space between the stent and the ureter to inhibit tissue in-growth to the mesh body when the stent is operably disposed in the ureter;
• and
• at least one of the first anchor and the second anchor having a bulbous configuration of a cone with an apex and a base, the base being disposed between the mesh body and the apex of the cone.

A ureteral stent adapted for disposition in the ureter of a patient and adapted to extend completely from the bladder to the kidney of the patient to facilitate dilation of the ureter to a desired diameter, comprising:

• a mesh body extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end, the body having a diameter and first properties for self-expanding to an ultimate diameter less than the desired diameter of the ureter so that the mesh body has a tendency to migrate within the ureter;
• a first anchor having a bulbous configuration and being disposed at the first end of the mesh, the first anchor inhibiting the migration of the mesh body in a first direction, the first anchor sized and configured for operative disposition in the kidney of the patient;
• and
• a second anchor being disposed at the second end of the mesh body, the second anchor inhibiting the migration of the mesh body in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the second anchor being sized and configured for operative disposition in the bladder of the patient.

A ureteral stent adapted for disposition in the ureter of a patient and configured to exten completely from the bladder to the kidney of the patient to facilitate dilation of the ureter to a desired diameter, comprising:

• a mesh body extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end, the body having properties for self-expanding to a diameter not greater than an ultimate diameter less than the desired diameter of the ureter, so that the mesh body has a tendency to migrate within the ureter;
• a first anchor having a bulbous configuration at the first end of the mesh, the first anchor being sized and configured for operative disposition in the kidney of the patient in order to inhibit migration of the mesh body toward the bladder;
• and
• a second anchor disposed at the second end of the mesh body, and being sized and configured for operative disposition in the bladder of the patient in order to inhibit migration of the mesh body toward the kidney.

A ureteral stent adapted for disposition in the ureter of a patient, the ureter having an initial diameter and a desired ultimate diameter, the stent comprising:

• a wall having the general configuration of a cylinder with a first end, a second end, and a diameter, the wall having properties providing the diameter of the cylinder with variable characteristics;
• the wall having a first state wherein the diameter of the cylinder is less than about the initial diameter of the ureter in order to facilitate insertion of the stent into the ureter;
• the wall having a second state wherein the cylinder has a maximum diameter sufficiently less than about the desired ultimate diameter of the ureter to facilitate creation of a space between the wall of the stent and the ureter in order to inhibit tissue ingrowth to the stent and to facilitate migration of the stent within the ureter;
• a first anchor coupled to the first end of the wall and being adapted for disposition in the kidney to inhibit migration of the stent toward the bladder;
• and
• a second anchor coupled to the second end of the wall and being adapted for disposition in the bladder to inhibit migration of the stent toward the kidney.

A ureteral stent adapted for disposition in the ureter of a patient between a kidney and a bladder of the patient, in order to facilitate dilation of the ureter to a desired diameter, comprising:

• a mesh body extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end, the body having a diameter and first properties for self-expanding to an ultimate diameter less than the desired diameter of the ureter so that the mesh body has a tendency to migrate within the ureter;
• a first anchor having a bulbous configuration and being disposed at the distal end of the mesh body, the first anchor being adapted for operative disposition in the kidney of the patient in order to inhibit migration of the mesh body toward the bladder of the patient;
• and
• a second anchor being disposed at the proximal end of the mesh body, the second anchor being adapted for operative disposition in the bladder of the patient in order to inhibit migration of the mesh body toward the kidney of the patient.