| 摘要 |
<p>A prostatic stent is configured as a unitary body which is adapted to reside above the sphincter when in position in the subject includes an elongated tube which extends through the sphincter and outside the body of the subject. The stent is configured to allow natural operation of the sphincter when in position in the subject. The unitary body stent includes a lower inflatable portion which expands to contact tissue and help hold the stent in a desired location during a chronic use period of about 2-14 days. The stent can also include an upper and/or intermediate inflatable portions. A method of inhibiting the obstruction or closure of the prostatic urethral opening includes positioning the stent in the subject such that the unitary body of the stent is in the prostate and resides above the sphincter. A method treating BPH includes thermally ablating localized tissue in the prostate and inserting a post-treatment catheter into the prostate (preferably after an initial healing period) to allow the treated tissue to contour therearound and to maintain the urinary passage open. The stent is configured as a unitary body stent adapted to reside above the sphincter of the subject and to allow substantially normal operation of the sphincter. The stent can include a lower inflatable portion which engages, when expanded, with tissue below the localized treatment region about the membranous urethra (between the sphincter and the verumontanum). The post-treatment catheter is configured to reside in the subject for a period of about 2-14 days after delivery of the thermal ablation treatment or therapy.</p> |
