Medical devices for use along the biliary and/or pancreatic tract

1. An implantable medical device for use along the biliary and/or pancreatic tract, the implantable medical device comprising:

a tubular member having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;

wherein the tubular member has an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a lumen extending through the tubular member from the first end to the second end;

wherein the tubular member is formed of one or more wire filaments that are woven together;

wherein the tubular member includes a longitudinal channel formed in the outer surface by displacing the one or more wire filaments radially inward;

wherein the tubular member includes a longitudinal ridge formed in the inner surface by the displacement of the one or more wire filaments radially inward to form the longitudinal channel;

wherein the tubular member includes a cylindrical region and a flared region adjacent to the cylindrical region, wherein the cylindrical region extends to the second end of the tubular member and the flared region extends to the first end of the tubular member, wherein the longitudinal channel only extends along the cylindrical region of the tubular member such that the flared region is devoid of the longitudinal channel; and

a covering disposed about the tubular member.

2. The implantable medical device of claim 1 , wherein the tubular member is formed from a single wire filament.

3. The implantable medical device of claim 1 , wherein the tubular member includes a plurality of wire filaments.

4. The implantable medical device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more wire filaments are braided.

5. The implantable medical device of claim 1 , wherein at least some of the one or more wire filaments include a shape-memory material.

6. The implantable medical device of claim 1 , wherein at least some of the one or more wire filaments include a nickel-titanium alloy.

7. The implantable medical device of claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the tubular member includes a plurality of longitudinal channels.

8. The implantable medical device of claim 1 , wherein the tubular member has a length measured from the first end to the second end, and wherein the longitudinal channel extends along a majority of the length of the tubular member.

9. The implantable medical device of claim 1 , wherein the covering is a coating, film, or sheath.

10. The implantable medical device of claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the tubular member includes a circumferential channel extending around the outer surface of the tubular member.

11. The implantable medical device of claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the tubular member has a radial channel formed therein, and wherein the radial channel intersects with the longitudinal channel.

12. An implantable medical device, the implantable medical device comprising:

a braided stent having a first end and a second end, the braided stent having a length measured from the first end to the second end;

wherein the braided stent has an outer surface with a longitudinal channel formed therein, the longitudinal channel being configured to drain fluid therealong, the longitudinal channel extending along a majority of the length of the braided stent;

wherein the braided stent includes a cylindrical region and a flared region adjacent to the cylindrical region, wherein the cylindrical region extends to the second end of the braided stent and the flared region extends to the first end of the braided stent, wherein the longitudinal channel only extends along the cylindrical region of the braided stent such that the flared region is devoid of the longitudinal channel; and

a covering disposed about the outer surface of the braided stent.

13. The implantable medical device of claim 12 , wherein the braided stent includes a nickel-titanium alloy.

14. The implantable medical device of claim 12 , wherein the outer surface of the braided stent includes a plurality of longitudinal channels.

15. The implantable medical device of claim 12 , wherein the covering includes one or more openings formed therein.

16. The implantable medical device of claim 12 , wherein the covering is a coating, film, or sheath.

17. The implantable medical device of claim 12 , wherein the first end of the braided stent is flared.

18. An implantable medical device, the implantable medical device comprising:

a braided stent formed of a plurality of interwoven wire filaments, the braided stent having a first end, a second opposite the first end, an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a lumen extending therethrough along a central longitudinal axis of the braided stent, the braided stent having a length measured from the first end to the second end;

wherein the braided stent includes a longitudinal channel extending parallel to the central longitudinal axis formed along the outer surface by displacing the plurality of wire filaments radially inward, the longitudinal channel being configured to drain fluid therealong, the longitudinal channel extending along a majority of the length of the braided stent;

wherein the braided stent includes a longitudinal ridge formed in the inner surface by the displacement of the plurality of wire filaments radially inward to form the longitudinal channel;

wherein the braided stent includes a cylindrical region and a flared region adjacent to the cylindrical region, wherein the cylindrical region extends to the second end of the braided stent and the flared region extends to the first end of the braided stent, wherein the longitudinal channel only extends along the cylindrical region of the braided stent such that the flared region is devoid of the longitudinal channel; and

a covering disposed about the outer surface of the braided stent.

19. The implantable medical device of claim 18 , wherein the outer surface of the braided stent includes a plurality of longitudinal channels extending parallel to the central longitudinal axis.