Polymeric stent useful for the treatment of the salivary gland ducts and method for using the same

1. A method for implanting a stent into the lumen of a salivary gland duct of an oral cavity, said method comprising:

(a) providing a suitable stent, said stent being an elongate member and comprising an enlarged proximal portion at a proximal end of the stent, and a bore extending through said stent from said proximal end to a distal end of the stent, said enlarged proximal portion comprising a proximal rim adapted for being located adjacent said oral cavity and at least one aperture other than said bore, radially inwardly spaced from said rim, and adapted for suturing said stent to said oral cavity,

(b) inserting said stent into said salivary gland duct, such that said elongate member is accommodated in said duct and such that said enlarged proximal portion is located inside the oral cavity;

(c) suturing said stent to at least one of a mucosa and a periosteum near a lingual side of anterior teeth of said oral cavity by means of sutures, wherein said sutures are sutured to at least one said aperture.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said stent further comprises a guidance member comprising a substantially rigid member reversibly received within said bore of the stent, step (b) being facilitated by said guidance member, the method further comprising the step of removing said guidance prior to step (c).

3. The method according to claim 1 , applied for the treatment of strictures, kinks, and any pathology of the salivary gland duct.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said method is applied to an oral cavity after a surgical endoscopy in said oral cavity.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said stent is removed from said duct after a period of approximately two weeks.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the stent is adapted for at least one of local and systemic delivery of compounds selected from at least one of drugs and other substances, and the method further comprises the step of delivering said compounds to the oral cavity.

7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein said compound comprises any one of:

(A) a drug selected from one or more biocides, steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, antiviral compound, analgesics, local anesthetics, anticoagulants, antihypertensive substances, vitamins and contrast media;

(B) a biocide selected from cetylpyridinium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, chlorhexidine, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, polyoxyethylene, nonylphenols, alkylaryl sulfonates, miconazole nitrate, metronidazole, trimethoprim, chloramphenicol, sulfamethoxazole; cetramide or any effective antibiotic;

(C) a steroidal anti-inflammatory agents to be delivered are selected from corticosteroids and any hydrocortisone containing compositions; and

(D) a local anesthetic selected from lidocaine, adrenaline, ephedrine, epinephrine, aminophylline, and theophylline.