Eccentric lumen stents
Embodiments of medical devices are described, such as stents, for dilating passageways. A medical device can include a flexible body, having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis. The flexible body can further include a flexible elongate member that is defined by a longitudinally extending aperture in the body. The member can be radially expandable with respect to the longitudinal axis. The device can also define an eccentric lumen, at least a portion of the eccentric lumen being offset from the longitudinal axis.
1 . A medical device, comprising:
a flexible body, having
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a longitudinal axis; and
a flexible elongate member defined by an aperture extending longitudinally in the body, the member being radially expandable with respect to the longitudinal axis;
the device defining an eccentric lumen, at least a portion of the eccentric lumen being offset from the longitudinal axis.
2 . The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible elongate member provides an undulating surface when in an expanded state.
3 . The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the eccentric lumen is disposed within the flexible elongate member.
4 . The medical device of claim 1 , wherein a portion of a wall forming the eccentric lumen is perforated.
5 . The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the device is transitionable between an unexpanded state and an expanded second state by longitudinal displacement of a guidewire in the eccentric lumen.
6 . The medical device of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the device is bioabsorbable.
7 . The medical device of claim 1 , further comprising an insert removably disposable in the eccentric lumen.
8 . The medical device of claim 7 , wherein the insert is releasably affixed to at least one of the proximal end and the distal end of the device.
9 . The medical device of claim 7 , wherein the insert comprises a stiffener.
10 . The medical device of claim 9 , wherein the stiffener holds the device in an unexpanded state.
11 . The medical device of claim 1 , further comprising a second lumen.
12 . The medical device of claim 11 , further comprising an insert removably disposable in the second lumen.
13 . The medical device of claim 11 , wherein the device is transitionable between a first state and a second state by longitudinal displacement of the guidewire.
14 . The medical device of claim 12 , wherein the insert comprises a tool.
15 . The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the eccentric lumen is formed of a flexible member body affixed to the device.
16 . The medical device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the proximal end and the distal end is sealed.
17 . The medical device of claim 16 , wherein a sealed end is openable by longitudinal displacement of a guidewire disposed in the eccentric lumen.
18 . The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible elongate member is disposed helically about the longitudinal axis.
19 . The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the body has a plurality of flexible elongate members, which members are defined by a plurality of apertures extending longitudinally in the body, and which members are reversibly radially expandable with respect to the longitudinal axis.
20 . The medical device of claim 1 , further comprising a therapeutic agent disposed in the eccentric lumen.
21 . The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible elongate member comprises a proximal end and a distal end, and at least one of the proximal end and the distal end is sealed.
22 . The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the body is formed by a plurality of tubes arranged in an annular configuration.
23 . The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the device is formed at least in part of polyurethane.
24 . The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the device is formed at least in part of 10 percent barium to make the device radiopaque.
25 . A method of making a stent, comprising:
forming a flexible body of the stent, the flexible body having a longitudinal axis, the stent defining an eccentric lumen, at least a portion of the eccentric lumen being offset from the longitudinal axis;
creating at least one longitudinally extending aperture in a wall of the flexible body, the aperture penetrating the wall and defining at least one elongate flexible member in the wall;
expanding the elongate member to an expanded state; and
heating the stent to a temperature sufficient to induce a shape memory of the expanded state.
26 . The method of claim 25 , wherein forming includes affixing a flexible member body to the flexible body, the flexible member body defining a wall of the eccentric lumen.
27 . The method of claim 25 , wherein forming includes forming a second lumen in the flexible body.
28 . The method of claim 25 , wherein forming the flexible body comprises extending the flexible body.
29 . The method of claim 25 , wherein forming comprises arranging a plurality of tubes in an annular configuration.
30 . The method of claim 25 , wherein creating comprises cutting the aperture with a blade, a laser, or a water jet.
31 . The method of claim 25 , wherein creating comprises locating the eccentric lumen in the elongate flexible member.
32 . The method of claim 25 , further comprising disposing an insert in the eccentric lumen.
33 . The method of claim 25 , further comprising disposing a therapeutic agent in the eccentric lumen.
34 . The method of claim 25 , wherein expanding includes twisting the flexible body.
35 . The method of claim 25 , wherein expanding includes contracting the flexible body with respect to the longitudinal axis, thereby causing the elongate flexible member to expand radially.
36 . A method for dilating a passageway, comprising:
guiding in the passageway a stent, the stent comprising a flexible body having a wall and a longitudinal axis, a portion of the wall defining a radially expandable elongate flexible member, the stent further comprising an eccentric lumen, at least a portion of the eccentric lumen being offset from the longitudinal axis; and
expanding the elongate flexible member, thereby dilating the passageway.
37 . The method of claim 36 , wherein advancing includes disposing the guidewire in the eccentric lumen of the stent.
38 . The method of claim 36 , wherein expanding includes twisting the flexible body.
39 . The method of claim 36 , wherein expanding includes contracting the flexible body with respect to the longitudinal axis, thereby causing the elongate flexible member to expand radially.
40 . The method of claim 36 , wherein expanding includes removing an insert from the eccentric lumen.
41 . The method of claim 40 , wherein an insert in inserted into the eccentric lumen to straighten or contract the device radially before guiding.