Retrievable stent and method of use thereof

Abstract

A removable stent system and method for extraction of a removable stent from a target site is disclosed. The removable stent includes a removable stent having a collapsible end and a collapsing element configured for coupling with a removal tool. The collapsing element can be configured as a lasso or can be movable between two positions when deployed at a target site in vivo. The removable stent overcomes disadvantages and limitations of previous types of stents as well as overcoming complications during or following stent deployment in vivo. The removable stent further includes features that increase its ease of use and reduce the maneuvering required of devices or tools used to remove the stent. This then decreases the amount of effort required by the physician, the procedure time, and the level of discomfort experienced by a patient during the procedure.

1 . A removable stent comprising a stent and a lasso: 
 the stent having an inner lumen, an outer surface and two opened ends, wherein at least one opened end is collapsible; and    the lasso positioned toward the end of the stent that is collapsible, wherein a portion of the lasso is engageable with a removal tool within the inner and/or outer lumen of the stent.    
     
     
         2 . The removable stent of  claim 1 , further comprising a lasso having a loop disposed within the inner lumen of the removable stent.  
     
     
         3 . A removable stent, comprising: 
 a stent having an inner lumen, an outer surface, and two opened ends, wherein at least one opened end is collapsible; and    a collapsing element having first and second ends, the first end coupled to the stent and the second end being free, wherein at least a portion of the collapsing element between its first and second end is coupled to the outer surface of the stent, and the second end is substantially within the inner lumen of the stent.    
     
     
         4 . The removable stent of  claim 3  further comprising a ball coupled to the second end of the collapsing element.  
     
     
         5 . A removable stent comprising: 
 a stent having an inner lumen, an outer surface, and two opened ends, wherein at least one opened end is collapsible; and    a collapsing element located on said stent, said collapsing element being movable between a first and a second position, wherein the collapsing element is in a down position when in the first position.    
     
     
         6 . The removable stent of  claim 5  wherein the collapsing element is a hinged hook  
     
     
         7 . A stent removal system comprising: 
 a removable stent having an inner lumen, an outer surface, two opened ends, wherein at least one opened end is collapsible;    a lasso positioned toward the end of the stent that is collapsible, wherein a portion of the lasso is disposed within the inner and/or outer lumen and includes an engagement coupling for receiving a removal tool; and    a removal tool having at least one end configured for engaging with said engagement coupling.    
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said engagement coupling comprises at least one of a loop, a ball, and a hook  
     
     
         9 . A stent removal system comprising: 
 a stent having an inner lumen, an outer surface, and two opened ends, wherein at least one opened end is collapsible;    a collapsing element having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the stent and the second end being free, wherein a portion of the collapsing element between the first and second end is in contact with the outer surface of the stent and the second end is within the inner lumen of the stent; and    a removal tool having at least one end configured to engage said free end of the collapsing element.    
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the collapsing element comprises a wire having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the outer surface of the removable stent and the second end is at least one of a ball, a loop and a hook disposed within the inner lumen of the stent.  
     
     
         11 . A stent removal system comprising: 
 a stent having an inner lumen, an outer surface, and two opened ends, wherein at least one opened end is collapsible;    a collapsing element movable between a first and a second position, wherein the collapsing element is normally placed in the first position when deployed in a target site in vivo; and    a removal tool having a first and a second end, wherein the first end is configured to engage the collapsing element.    
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a grasper element configured for attachment to the removal tool.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the grasper element is configured for attachment to a stent delivery tool.  
     
     
         14 . A removable stent comprising: 
 a stent having an inner surfact, an outer surface, and two open ends, wherein at least one open end is collapsible and includes at least one loop disposed towards said open end; and    a collapsing element supported by said at least one loop.    
     
     
         15 . The removable stent of  claim 14  wherein portions of said collapsing element extend between at least two loops, said portions begin accessible for engagement with a removal tool.  
     
     
         16 . The removable stent of  claim 14  wherein said collapsing element contains flexures enabling a folded profile during constriction of said open end of said stent.  
     
     
         17 . A removable stent comprising: 
 a stent having an inner lumen, an outer surface, and two open ends, wherein at least one open end is collapsible; and    a collapsing element clipped onto said external surface of said stent.    
     
     
         18 . The removable stent of  claim 17  wherein said collapsing element is c-shaped.  
     
     
         19 . The removable stent of  claim 17  wherein said collapsing element is spiral shaped.  
     
     
         20 . The removable stent of  claim 17  wherein ends of said collapsing element are accessible for engagement with a removal tool maneuvered between said external surface of said stent and a lumen of a patient.  
     
     
         21 . A method of removing a stent from a target site comprising: 
 providing a removable stent having an inner lumen, an outer surface, a collapsible end and a collapsing element, wherein at least a portion of said collapsing element contacts said outer surface of said removable stent;    maneuvering a tool toward said removable stent such that said tool engages said collapsing element;    compressing said collapsible open end of said removable stent through continued engagement of said collapsing element; and;    removing said removable stent from said target site.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said tool is maneuvered within said inner lumen of said removable stent.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein said collapsing element comprises a lasso having a loop disposed within said inner lumen of said removable stent.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein said collapsing element comprises a wire having a first end and a second end; 
 said first end coupled to said stent and said second end being free, wherein a portion of said wire between the first end and said second end is in contact with said outer surface of said stent and said second end is within said inner lumen of said stent.    
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein said second end of said wire comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a ball, a loop, and a hook  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said collapsing element is movable between an up and a down position when deployed in said target site in vivo.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein said collapsing element is a hinged hook.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said tool is maneuvered toward said collapsible end of said stent and said collapsing element comprises a closed-loop structure woven through and accessible at said collapsible end.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said tool is maneuvered between said outer surface of said stent and a lumen at said target site.