Compressible ureteral stent for comfort

Abstract

In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a ureteral stent adapted for placement within a patient's urinary tract to facilitate drainage from the patient's kidney to the patient's bladder. The ureteral stent includes an elongated portion, a retention portion and a mesh or coil portion. The elongated portion has first and second ends, defines an elongated portion of a lumen extending between the first and second ends, and has a length sufficient to extend within the ureter from the patient's kidney to the patient's bladder. The retention portion extends from the first end of the elongated portion, defines a retention portion of the lumen and at least one through aperture for providing fluid communication between the lumen and the kidney. The retention portion is adapted for placement substantially within the kidney and for retaining the placement of the stent within the kidney. The mesh or coil portion extends from the second end of the elongated portion and is adapted for placement substantially within an intramural tunnel portion of the ureter and for extension into the bladder. The mesh or coil portion is collapsible under radial compression to inhibit urine back flow to the kidney.

1 - 28 . (canceled)  
   
   
       29 . A ureteral stent, comprising: 
 an elongated portion having a first end and a second end, the elongated portion defining a lumen extending between the first end and the second end, the elongated portion having a length sufficient to extend substantially from a kidney of a patient to a bladder of the patient; and    a compressible portion extending from the second end of the elongated portion, the compressible portion being adapted for placement substantially within an intramural tunnel portion of the ureter and being collapsible under radial compression of the type exerted by the intramural tunnel portion of the ureter to a degree sufficient to substantially inhibit backflow of urine through the lumen toward the first end, the compressible portion and the elongated portion having substantially the same outer diameter.    
   
   
       30 . The ureteral stent of  claim 29 , wherein the compressible portion includes a covering.  
   
   
       31 . The ureteral stent of  claim 30 , wherein the covering includes a polymer.  
   
   
       32 . The ureteral stent of  claim 29 , further comprising: 
 a retention portion extending from the first end of the elongated portion, the retention portion being adapted for placement substantially within the kidney of the patient.    
   
   
       33 . The ureteral stent of  claim 29 , wherein the compressible portion includes a mesh construction.  
   
   
       34 . The ureteral stent of  claim 29 , wherein the compressible portion includes a coil construction.  
   
   
       35 . The ureteral stent of  claim 32 , wherein the retention portion defines an aperture, the aperture providing communication between the lumen defined by the elongated portion and the kidney.  
   
   
       36 . The ureteral stent of  claim 29 , wherein the elongated portion includes a substantially continuous sidewall.  
   
   
       37 . A ureteral stent, comprising: 
 an elongated portion having a first end and a second end, the elongated portion defining a lumen extending between the first end and the second end and having a length sufficient to extend from a kidney of a patient to a bladder of the patient;    a compressible portion extending from the second end of the elongated portion, the compressible portion being adapted for placement substantially within an intramural tunnel portion of the ureter and being collapsible under radial compression from the intramural tunnel portion of the ureter, the compressible portion configured to be more easily compressed than the elongated portion; and    a covering disposed on the compressible portion.    
   
   
       38 . The ureteral stent of  claim 37 , wherein the covering is disposed on an outer surface of the compressible portion.  
   
   
       39 . The ureteral stent of  claim 37 , wherein the covering is disposed on an inner surface of the compressible portion.  
   
   
       40 . The ureteral stent of  claim 37 , further comprising: 
 a retention portion extending from the first end of the elongated portion, the retention portion being adapted for placement substantially within the kidney of the patient.    
   
   
       41 . The ureteral stent of  claim 37 , wherein the compressible portion includes a mesh construction.  
   
   
       42 . The ureteral stent of  claim 37 , wherein the covering is a first covering, the first covering disposed on an outer surface of the compressible portion, the ureteral stent further comprising: 
 a second covering disposed on an inner surface of the compressible portion.    
   
   
       43 . A ureteral stent, comprising: 
 an elongated portion having a first construction and having a first end and a second end, the elongated portion defining a lumen extending between the first end and the second end, the elongated portion having a length sufficient to extend substantially from a kidney of a patient to a bladder of the patient; and    a compressible portion extending from the second end of the elongated portion, the compressible portion being adapted for placement substantially within an intramural tunnel portion of the ureter and being collapsible under radial compression of the type exerted by the intramural tunnel portion of the ureter, the compressible portion having a second construction different than the first construction.    
   
   
       44 . The ureteral stent of  claim 43 , wherein the compressible portion includes an outer covering.  
   
   
       45 . The ureteral stent of  claim 43 , wherein the compressible portion includes an inner lining.  
   
   
       46 . The ureteral stent of  claim 43 , wherein the compressible portion includes a mesh construction.  
   
   
       47 . The ureteral stent of  claim 43 , wherein the compressible portion includes a coil construction.  
   
   
       48 . The ureteral stent of  claim 43 , wherein the elongated portion includes a substantially continuous sidewall.