Methods and apparatus for deploying ureteral stents

摘要

A ureteral decompression device comprises a guide member and an anchoring structure. The guide member may be introduced through the urethra and bladder into the ureter so that the anchor structure passes a lodged kidney stone. Once past the stone, the anchor structure can be compacted to anchor the guide member in place. The anchor structure will permit leakage and the guide member will provide a leakage path directly past the stone, thus decompressing the kidney.

主权项

1. A device for decompressing a ureteral stone in a ureter, said device comprising:
a guidewire having a distal tip; and an anchor attached to the guidewire immediately proximal to the distal tip; wherein the anchor is configured to compact axially and expand radially outwardly within the ureter as the anchor is drawn proximally by the guidewire; wherein the guidewire includes a distal section and a proximal section which is detachable from the distal section; wherein the expanded anchor is configured to engage and anchor against a distal side of the stone to hold the distal section of the guide member in place within the ureter when the distal section is detached from the proximal section; wherein a proximal portion of the distal section is configured to assume a pigtail shape after the distal section has been detached from the proximal section; and wherein the body of the distal section of the guide member proximal of the anchor is configured to remain between the ureteral stone and a wall of the ureter to create a leakage path past the stone.