Polymeric stent useful for the treatment of the salivary gland ducts and method for using the same

Abstract

A polymeric stent, especially useful in surgical endoscopy and for the treatment of salivary gland ducts comprising; an elongated tube, wherein the proximal end of said tube is having a funnel-like shape; and wherein said funnel further comprise at least one gorge, which enables the suturing of said stent to said duct. The invention also relates to a method for implanting the polymeric stent into the lumen of a salivary gland duct.

1 .- 26 . (canceled) 
   
   
       27 . A stent, for use in the oral cavity, said stent being an elongate member and an enlarged proximal portion at a proximal end of the stent; and
 a bore extending through said stent from said proximal end to a distal end of the stent;   said enlarged proximal portion comprising;   a proximal rim adapted for being located adjacent an oral cavity; and   at least one aperture other than said bore, radially inwardly spaced from said rim, and adapted for suturing said stent to said oral cavity, in use.   
   
   
       28 . The stent according to  claim 27 , said stent being adapted for implantation in a lumen of a salivary duct of the oral cavity, and said stent further comprising an anchoring arrangement for at least temporarily anchoring said stent with respect to said lumen. 
   
   
       29 . The stent according to  claim 28 , wherein said anchoring arrangement comprises at least one wing-like flap having a free end spaced from a surface of the elongate member. 
   
   
       30 . The stent according to  claim 27 , wherein said enlarged proximal portion comprises a funnel-like form having a substantially continuous proximal rim. 
   
   
       31 . The stent according to  claim 28 , wherein said anchoring arrangement comprises a transversely enlarged portion formed on said elongate member. 
   
   
       32 . The stent as defined in  claim 31 , wherein the enlarged portion comprises an accordion-like member. 
   
   
       33 . The stent as defined in  claim 29 , further comprising a plurality of flaps, arranged on said elongate member. 
   
   
       34 . The stent as defined in  claim 33 , wherein said flaps are axially folded and arranged in a circular array 
   
   
       35 . The stent according to  claim 27 , having an axial length of between about 20 mm and about 65 mm, or of between about 32 mm and about 48 mm. 
   
   
       36 . The stent as defined in  claim 27 , wherein said bore comprises an internal diameter of between about 1.0 mm and about 4.5 mm or of between about 1.5 mm and about 3.0 mm. 
   
   
       37 . The stent according to  claim 30 , wherein said enlarged proximal portion comprises an axial length of between about 1.0 mm and about 4.5 mm. 
   
   
       38 . The stent according to  claim 27 , wherein the stent is made from a suitable polymeric material. 
   
   
       39 . The stent according to  claim 38 , wherein the stent is made from any one of: poly-1-lactic acid, polyglycolic acid, polyanhydride, polyphosphate ester, polyurethanes, polyethylene. 
   
   
       40 . The stent according to  claim 39 , wherein the stent is made from one of a porous or a non-porous polymeric raw-material. 
   
   
       41 . The stent according to  claim 27 , wherein the stent is made from one of a bio-stable and a bioabsorbable material adapted for at least one of local and systemic delivery of compounds selected from at least one of drugs and other substances. 
   
   
       42 . The stent according to  claim 41 , wherein the stent comprises said compound, said compound comprising a drug to be delivered is selected from one or more biocides, steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, antiviral compounds, analgesics, local anesthetics, anticoagulants, antihypertensive substances, vitamins and contrast media. 
   
   
       43 . The stent according to  claim 41 , wherein the stent comprises said compound, said compound comprising a biocide selected from cetylpyridinium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, chlorhexidine, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, polyoxyethylene, nonylphenols, alkylaryl sulfonates, miconazole nitrate, metronidazole, trimethoprim, chloramphenicol, sulfamethoxazole; cetramide or any effective antibiotic. 
   
   
       44 . The stent according to  claim 41 , wherein the stent comprises said compound, said compound comprising a steroidal anti-inflammatory agents to be delivered are selected from corticosteroids and any hydrocortisone containing compositions. 
   
   
       45 . The stent according to  claim 41 , wherein the stent comprises said compound, said compound comprising a local anesthetic selected from lidocaine, adrenaline, ephedrine, epinephrine, aminophylline, and theophylline. 
   
   
       46 . A stent system, comprising a stent according to  claim 27  and a guidance member comprising a substantially rigid member adapted for being accommodated within said bore of the stent.