Patent ID: 6716252
Filing Date: 2004-04-06
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M

Abstract:
A prostatic stent configured for insertion into the urethra of a male subject, the urethra generally including, in serial order from the externalmost portion to the internal portion, the penile meatus, the penile urethra, the bulbousurethra, the sphincter, the membranous urethra, the prostatic urethra, the bladder neck and the bladder, said prostatic stent comprising: a unitary tubular body having a central lumen extending therethrough and a first cross-sectional width thereacross; a tissue-engaging inflatable balloon positioned on a lower perimeter portion of said unitary body; and at least one conduit having opposing upper and lower end portions with a fluid lumen formed therein, a portion of said upper end attached to said unitary tubular body such that it is in fluid communication with said inflatable balloon, said conduit having a second cross-sectional width, the second cross-sectional width being less than said first cross-sectional width; wherein, in position in the subject, said stent is configured such that said unitary body resides above the sphincter and said conduit extends through the sphincter and out of the penile meatus of the subject, and wherein said conduit is sized and constructed such that it allows substantially natural closing of the sphincter when in position in the subject.