Patent ID: 7713308
Filing Date: 2010-05-11
Classification: A61F,A61M

Abstract:
1. A ureteral stent, comprising: an elongate member configured to be disposed within a urinary tract of a patient, the elongate member defining a lumen configured to convey urine from a first portion of the urinary tract of the patient to a second portion of the urinary tract of the patient, the elongate member having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a medial portion disposed between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion, the distal end portion including a retention member configured to help retain at least a portion of the elongate member within a kidney of the patient, the proximal end portion including a retention member configured to help retain at least a portion of the elongate member within a bladder of the patient, the retention member of the distal end portion being constructed of a material that is substantially stable in a bodily fluid of the urinary tract of the patient, the proximal end portion including a dissolving portion and a non-dissolving portion, the dissolving portion being disposed inside of the non-dissolving portion and being configured to dissolve in response to being exposed to the bodily fluid for a period of time, the dissolving portion having an inner diameter equal to an inner diameter of the medial portion, the non-dissolving portion having an inner diameter substantially equal to an outer diameter of the medial portion, the non-dissolving portion of the proximal end portion being substantially stable in the bodily fluid of the urinary tract of the patient, the non-dissolving portion of the proximal end portion having a shape substantially the same before and after the period of time, at least a portion of the non-dissolving portion of the elongate member including pores configured to facilitate dissolution of the dissolving portion, the pores being disposed over the dissolving portion and configured to be in fluid communication with the lumen defined by the elongate member only after the period of time.