Prosthesis (i.e. – artificial body members) – parts thereof – or ai – Arterial prosthesis – Stent structure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-02
2001-12-25
Recla, Henry J. (Department: 3731)
Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or ai
Arterial prosthesis
Stent structure
C606S198000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06332892
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention generally relates to stents with one or more helical coils at one end. More specifically, the invention relates to such stents and their use and manufacture.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Fluid sometimes needs to be drained from a body. For example, urine formed in one or both kidneys might need to be drained into the bladder. One way to accomplish such drainage is to use a medical device that conveys the fluid (e.g., urine) through a lumen. Such devices include stents and catheters. Existing stents can be uncomfortable for the patient, especially when they reside in the ureter between the kidney and the bladder. Moreover, known stents can lead to retention of bodily fluids. For example, oftentimes a stricture develops in the ureter due to irritation of the ureter by the placed stent, thereby blocking urine flow from the kidney into the bladder and leading to retention of urine in the kidney.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention allows for fluid drainage while both maintaining patient comfort and preventing fluid retention resulting from the presence of the fluid-draining device in the body.
In one aspect, the present invention relates to a medical device comprising a first elongated section having a first cross-sectional area and a second elongated section having a second cross-sectional area. The second elongated section extends from the first elongated section, and the second cross-section area is smaller than the first cross-sectional area. The second elongated section includes at least one coiled structure that has a plurality of turns (e.g., a regular helix or an irregular helix). One advantage of this aspect of the invention is, for example, that the smaller cross-sectional area of the second elongated section increases patient comfort. A second advantage of this aspect of the invention is, for example, that the coiled structure with the plurality of turns allows fluids (e.g., urine) to flow under conditions in which a body stricture would prevent urine flow if a known stent was used in the body.
Embodiments of this aspect of the invention may include the following features. For example, the first elongated section can be a conduit defining a lumen and having a proximal segment and a distal segment. Also, the plurality of turns can define a passageway that extends through the plurality of turns and along an axis about which the turns are wound. The coiled structure can be a piece of solid material that is wound to form the plurality of turns. The lumen defined by the conduit and the passageway defined by the turns of the coiled structure can be in communication. The distal segment can be configured to allow the device to be retained within a part of the body, and the proximal segment may be an elongated structure. All or a portion of the conduit may have openings (e.g., apertures, holes and/or pores) which communicate with a lumen defined within the conduit. The coiled structure can be flexible and/or resilient, and it can be made of a material that is flexible and/or resilient. The first and second elongated sections can extend along a longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the device includes two or more of the coiled structures. One particular embodiment of the device has two coiled structures each of which has a helical shape. Medical devices according to the invention may be, for example, a stent and/or a ureteral drainage stent.
In another aspect, the invention involves a placement method where a device, such as the medical device described above, is placed in a body to allow fluid drainage.
In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing such a device.
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Desmond, III Joseph P.
Walls Doug
Ho Tan-Uyen T.
Recla Henry J.
Sci-Med Life Systems, Inc.
Testa Hurwitz & Thibeault LLP
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