Draining bodily fluids with a stent
A stent for assisting urinary release in a male patient includes a first segment, a second segment, and a connecting member disposed between the first and second segments. The first segment includes a multi-winged malecot. When the stent is properly positioned within the patient's urinary system, the first segment is located on one side of the external sphincter with the multi-winged malecot located within the bladder to inhibit migration of the stent, and the second segment is located on the other side of the external sphincter and also tends to inhibit migration of the stent. The connecting segment is sized to extend through the external sphincter to couple the first and second segments together while not interfering with the normal operation of the external sphincter.
1. A prostatic stent for use in the body of a patient, comprising:
(a) a first segment locatable on the proximal side of the external sphincter of the patient and including a proximal portion, a distal end, and a lumen extending within the first segment, the proximal portion including at least one opening in communication with the lumen and an expandable portion, the expandable portion being expandable and collapsible and configured for placement substantially within the bladder of the patient, the distal end terminating on the proximal side of the external sphincter when the stent is placed in the body of the patient;
(b) a second segment locatable on the distal side of the external sphincter of the patient and including a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending within the second segment, the proximal end terminating on the distal side of the external sphincter when the stent is placed in the body of the patient; and
(c) a connecting member disposed between the first and second segments and coupling together the first and second segments, the connecting member extending from the distal end of the first segment to the proximal end of the second segment with a smooth transition at the distal and proximal ends, the connecting member being sized to extend through the external sphincter and to allow normal operation of the external sphincter by the patient when the stent is placed in the body of the patient.
2. The prostatic stent of claim 1 wherein the expandable portion is a multi-winged malecot including two or more wings.
3. The prostatic stent of claim 1 wherein the expandable portion is an inflatable balloon.
4. The prostatic stent of claim 1 wherein the expandable portion is configured for placement substantially within the bladder of the patient for retaining the remainder of the stent within the urethra of the patient when the stent is placed within the body of the patient.
5. The prostatic stent of claim 1 wherein the connecting member comprises a wire with a first end and a second end.
6. The prostatic stent of claim 5 wherein the first and second ends of the wire are embedded in the first and second segments, respectively.
7. The prostatic stent of claim 1 wherein a proximal end of the proximal portion of the first segment is curved.
8. The prostatic stent of claim 1 wherein the proximal portion of the first segment includes an additional opening for receiving a guide wire.
9. The prostatic stent of claim 1 wherein the first segment further includes a reinforcing element.
10. The prostatic stent of claim 9 wherein the reinforcing element comprises a wire coil.
11. The prostatic stent of claim 9 wherein the reinforcing element comprises a wire mesh tube.
12. The prostatic stent of claim 1 wherein the second segment further comprises an elongated member extending therefrom and for extension through the urethra and out of the meatus to allow removal of the stent from the body of the patient by pulling on a part of the elongated member external to the body.
13. The prostatic stent of claim 1 , wherein the connecting member is integrally connected to the first and second segments, respectively.