Methods for removing kidney stones from the ureter
View Patent ↗Occluding structures may be created within a body lumen by advancing a length of material distally through the body lumen. By drawing a distal location on the advanced length of material in a proximal direction, the material may be compacted into a structure which at least partially occludes the lumen. The occluding structure may be used to remove kidney stones from the ureter in conjunction with lithotripsy and irrigation.
1. A system for removing kidney stones from a ureter, said system comprising:
a catheter adapted to be introduced into the ureter in a direction from a bladder toward a kidney, said catheter carrying a length of material that can be axially collapsed onto itself to compact the length of material on a kidney side of a kidney stone while a bladder side of the stone remains free from occlusion; and
an energy delivery device adapted to be introduced into the ureter in a direction from the bladder toward the kidney and to deliver energy to fragment the kidney stone.
2. A system as in claim 1 , wherein the catheter comprises an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the length of material has a proximal end and a distal end and the distal end of the length of material is attached to the distal end of the elongate member.
3. A system as in claim 2 , wherein the length of material comprises a polymer film that can be pulled back on itself so that the material compacts into an occluding structure.
4. A system as in claim 3 , wherein the polymer film is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylene (PE), perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), polyurethane (PU), perfluoromethylvinylether (MFA), and perfluoropropylvinylether (PPVE).
5. A system as in claim 3 , wherein the film has a length in the range from 1 cm to 10 cm when compacted.
6. A system as in claim 1 , wherein the energy delivery device is configured to deliver laser energy, ultrasonic energy, or hydraulic shock energy.
7. A system as in claim 1 , wherein the length of material can be axially collapsed onto itself in the manner of an accordion.
8. A system as in claim 1 , wherein the length of material can be axially drawn to a narrow profile to reverse compaction and release entrapped material after compaction on the kidney side of the kidney stone.
9. A system as in claim 1 , wherein the length of material comprises a flat polymeric film coupled at a distal end to a tension member that can be pulled proximally to axially collapse the flat polymeric film.