Stent placement and retrieval.

摘要

Placement and non-surgical retrieval of a ureteral stent is accomplished in one embodiment by suspending a ferromagnetic bead from an indwelling stent. The bead is suspended by a flaccid tether that reduces the likelihood of patient irritation when a shortened stent is used. The bead, tether, and stent assembly are advanced into the patient as a unit via a conventional cystoscope. A magnet-tipped catheter is employed to engage the bead in the bladder and permit removal of the connected stent as the catheter is withdrawn. In another embodiment, a collapsible basket is suspended from an indwelling stent. The basket is suspended by a flaccid tether that reduces the likelihood of patient irritation when a shortened stent is used. The basket is deployed in the bladder into its normal, generally ovoid configuration. A retrieval instrument having extensible graspers readily engage the hoop or ribs that make up the basket, thereby permitting retrieval of the connected stent as the instrument is withdrawn.