Patent ID: 7507218

Claim:
A stent comprising: an elongated tubular member having a body portion, a proximate end portion, and a distal end portion, the tubular member having an axial lumen therein adapted to provide fluid communication from the distal end portion to the proximal end portion, the tubular member further comprising a resilient distal transition region coupling the distal end portion to the body portion; the distal transition region comprising a resiliently compliant material that provides a gradual transition of material properties from the body portion across to the distal end portion, the properties imparting to the distal transition region resilient bending, stretch/recoil, and radial compressibility in situ; and the distal end portion comprises a curl having an angle sufficient to retain the distal end portion against the walls of a body structure and having a first, coiled state when in its intended place in a body structure and a second uncoiled state when the curl is inserted or withdrawn through a relatively narrow lumen leading to the body structure.