Patent ID: 6582472
Filing Date: 2003-06-24
Classification: A61F,A61M

Abstract:
A ureteral stent adapted for disposition in a ureter between a bladder and a kidney of a 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; 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 of the mesh body 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; a first anchor disposed at the distal end of the mesh body, the first anchor being configured for operative disposition in the kidney of the patient in order to inhibit migratation of the mesh body toward the bladder of the patient; and a second anchor disposed at the proximal end of the mesh body, the second anchor being configured for operative disposition in the bladder of the patient in order to inhibit migration of the mesh body toward the kidney of the patient.