Radially expanding ureteral device

A method of removing a ureteral obstruction, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a device having a flexible elongate body having a first end and a second end, the flexible elongate body, in an expanded state, defining a plurality of cages between the first end and the second end;
• (b) guiding the device in retrograde manner through a ureteral orifice in the bladder and through a ureter and positioning the device between a kidney and the bladder, the device being sized to extend between the kidney and the bladder;
• (c) expanding the device to allow an obstruction to lodge within a cage;
• and
• (d) removing the device from the ureter.

A method of dilating a duct, comprising the steps of:

• providing a device having a flexible elongate body having a first end and a second end, the flexible elongate body, in an expanded state, defining a plurality of three-dimensional cages formed by a plurality of spaced-apart members that provide a void space within each cage, at least two of the spaced apart members being spaced apart a distance sufficient to allow an occlusion to enter a void space of a cage in an expanded state, the plurality of cages being positioned between the first end and the second end;
• guiding the device through a ureteral orifice in the bladder and through a ureter;
• and
• removing a contractive force to permit expansion of the plurality of cages within the ureter.

A method of making a ureteral device, comprising the steps of:

• creating a plurality of apertures in a body wall of an elongate flexible body having a central lumen, the apertures penetrating a cross-section of the body wall and defining elongate flexible members in the body wall;
• expanding the elongate flexible members to an expanded state, the elongate flexible members, in the expanded state, defining a plurality of three-dimensional cages, the elongate flexible members of at least one of the cages, in the expanded state, being spaced apart distance sufficient to allow an occlusion to enter a void space of the cage,
• curling an end of the device;
• and
• heating the elongate flexible to a temperature sufficient to induce a shape memory of the expanded state and of the curled end.