Patent ID: 9060888
Filing Date: 2015-06-23
Classification: A61F,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method disposing a ureteral stent within a body of a patient, comprising: placing the ureteral stent on an insertion tool, the ureteral stent having a spring and a distal retention structure, the spring having a plurality of coils defining a first lumen, the distal retention structure having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface of the distal retention structure defining a second lumen, the distal retention structure being a separate component from the spring such that the distal retention structure is coupled to the spring, the spring being linearly expandable, the spring having a retracted position and an expanded position, the spring having a plurality of gaps between the plurality of coils such that a distance exists between adjacent coils when the spring is in the expanded position, the spring being devoid of the plurality of gaps such that the adjacent coils abut each other when the spring is in the retracted position, the distal retention structure having a curved shape when the distal retention structure is in a first configuration, a first portion of the insertion tool being disposed within the first lumen defined by the plurality of coils, the distal retention structure being disposed about a second portion of the insertion tool such that the second portion of the insertion tool extends through the second lumen defined by the distal retention structure when the distal retention structure is placed in a second configuration different than the first configuration; inserting the insertion tool into the body of the patient such that a third portion of the insertion tool is disposed within a kidney of the patient; moving the ureteral stent along the insertion tool such that at least a portion of the distal retention structure is disposed within the kidney and at least a portion of the spring is disposed within a ureter of the patient; and removing the insertion tool from the body such that the ureteral stent remains within the body after the insertion tool is removed.