Biliary decompression and anastomosis stent

Abstract

A stent and a method for implanting a stent for decompression and anastomosis formation are provided. The stent includes a non-expandable, generally tubular body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, a lumen extending through at least a portion of the body, a distal opening in the distal portion in fluid communication with the lumen and a proximal opening in the proximal portion in fluid communication with the lumen. The stent further includes a first magnetic element positioned on the distal portion of the tubular body and a second magnetic element movably positionable on the proximal portion of the tubular body. The second magnetic element is configured to surround and move over the proximal portion of the tubular body towards the first magnetic element.

1 . A stent for decompression and anastomosis formation, the stent comprising:
 a non-expandable, generally tubular body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, a lumen extending through at least a portion of the body; a distal opening in the distal portion in fluid communication with the lumen, and a proximal opening in the proximal portion in fluid communication with the lumen, the body being configured to be disposed at least partially within an internal bodily duct and facilitate the passage of bodily fluid therethrough;   a first magnetic element positioned on the distal portion of the tubular body, the first magnetic element having an opening formed therethrough so that the first magnetic element surrounds a portion of the tubular body; and   a second magnetic element movably positionable on the proximal portion of the tubular body, the second magnetic element having an opening formed therethrough so that the second magnetic element is configured to surround and move over the proximal portion of the tubular body towards the first magnetic element.   
     
     
         2 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein the first magnetic element is configured to be disposed within the internal bodily duct and the second magnetic element is configured to be positioned in an internal bodily cavity, the internal bodily cavity being in fluid communication with the internal bodily duct via the lumen of the tubular body. 
     
     
         3 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein the first magnetic element comprises a tapered distal end portion to facilitate placement of the first magnetic element into the internal bodily duct. 
     
     
         4 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein the first magnetic element comprises an end portion having one of a protruding surface or a recessed surface and the second magnetic element comprises an end portion having the other of a protruding surface or a recessed surface. 
     
     
         5 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second magnetic elements define first and second rims projecting axially from the first and second magnetic elements. 
     
     
         6 . The stent of  claim 5 , wherein the first magnetic element is sized to nest at least partially within the second magnetic element. 
     
     
         7 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element comprise atraumatic engagement surfaces. 
     
     
         8 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein the first magnetic element is fixed in position in relation to the tubular body. 
     
     
         9 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein the stent further comprises a retaining member extending outward from the tubular body. 
     
     
         10 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular body comprises a plurality of body openings operably connected to the lumen. 
     
     
         11 . A method for forming an anastomosis between two body cavities, the method comprising:
 providing an opening through a wall of a first bodily cavity and a second bodily cavity;   inserting a stent through the opening; the stent comprising:
 a non-expandable, generally tubular body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, a lumen extending through at least a portion of the body; a distal opening in the distal portion in fluid communication with the lumen, and a proximal opening in the proximal portion in fluid communication with the lumen; and 
 a first magnetic element positioned on the distal portion of the tubular body, the first magnetic element having an opening formed therethrough so that the first magnetic element surrounds a portion of the tubular body; 
   positioning the first magnetic element and the distal portion within the second bodily cavity and positioning the proximal portion within the first bodily cavity so that the lumen is in fluid communication between the first bodily cavity and the second bodily cavity;   placing the second magnetic element over the proximal portion so that the second magnetic element is movable towards the first magnetic element.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising advancing the second magnetic element distally toward the first magnetic element using the attractive forces between the first and second magnetic elements to advance the second magnet. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising compressing a portion of the wall of the first bodily cavity and a portion of the wall of the second bodily cavity between the first and second magnetic elements to create an anastomosis. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising delivering the second magnetic element using an introducer catheter. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising providing the opening through the walls of the first and second bodily cavities using a needle device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first magnetic element is placed into a common bile duct and the second magnetic element is placed into the duodenum. 
     
     
         17 . A method for forming an anastomosis between two body cavities, the method comprising:
 inserting a delivery device through a wall of a first bodily cavity and a wall of a second bodily cavity;   delivering a stent over the delivery device to position the stent between the first bodily cavity and the second bodily cavity and to establish fluid flow therebetween; the stent comprising:
 a non-expandable, generally tubular body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, a lumen extending through at least a portion of the body; a distal opening in the distal portion in fluid communication with the lumen, and a proximal opening in the proximal portion in fluid communication with the lumen; and 
 a first magnetic element positioned on the distal portion of the tubular body, the first magnetic element having an opening formed therethrough so that the first magnetic element surrounds a portion of the tubular body; 
   positioning the stent with the proximal portion extending into the first bodily cavity and the distal portion extending into the second bodily cavity, the first magnetic element being positioned in the second bodily cavity on the distal portion;   delivering the second magnetic element to the proximal portion of the stent; and   creating an anastomosis using the attraction forces of the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the stent is removable and fluid flow is established through the anastomosis. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the stent is removable without further surgical intervention. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the stent is delivered over a wireguide.