Devices and methods for stenting an airway

摘要

An implantable device and method are disclosed for stenting an occlusion of an airway. The implantable device includes a cylindrical tube shaped proximal region, a flared distal region, and a non-bifurcated single lumen extending through the device. The proximal region defines a proximal portion of the lumen and the distal region defines a distal portion of the lumen. The distal region may flare outward laterally at a first angle and anteroposterior at a second angle, thereby forming an elliptically shaped distal opening to the lumen. The distal edge of distal opening may lie entirely in a plane orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the device. Alternatively, the distal edge may be non-planar, such as concave or convex, when viewed in an anteroposterior direction. The implantable device may be formed of a scaffolding structure.

主权项

1. An airway stent, comprising:
a proximal region having a cylindrical shape with a first opening at a proximal end, the first opening having a diameter equivalent to a diameter of the proximal region of the airway stent; a distal region extending from the proximal region to a second opening at a distal end, the distal region flaring outward such that the second opening has a transverse cross-section with an elliptical shape having a lateral diameter that is larger than an anteroposterior diameter, wherein a distal edge of the distal region includes a first notch at an anterior side and a second notch at a posterior side, wherein the first and second notches are configured to engage a cartilaginous ridge that runs anteroposteriorly between branches of an airway at a target bifurcation junction; and a non-bifurcated single lumen that extends from the first opening and through the proximal and distal regions to the second opening.