Methods of manufacturing linearly expandable ureteral stents
A method includes forming an elongated member having a tubular shape. The elongated member includes a sidewall that defines a lumen. A spiral-shaped opening is formed in the sidewall such that the elongated member is configured to move between a retracted configuration and an expanded configuration along a longitudinal axis of the lumen. In some embodiments, the method further includes forming a distal retention structure. The distal retention structure can be disposed at a distal end of the elongated member and can define a lumen in fluid communication with the lumen defined by the sidewall of the elongated member.
1. A method for forming a ureteral stent comprising:
disposing a wire between an inner lining and an outer cover;
heating the inner lining and the outer cover such that the inner lining and the outer cover surround the wire to form an elongated member; and
forming a continuous spiral-shaped opening in the elongated member such that the elongated member is configured to move between a retracted configuration and an expanded configuration along a longitudinal axis elongated member.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
forming a distal retention structure, the distal retention structure being disposed at a distal end of the elongated member.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the forming the distal retention structure includes forming the distal retention structure via at least one of injection molding, extrusion and heat-formed.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the forming the distal retention structure includes forming the distal retention structure to have a shape selected from a group consisting of a “J” shape, a coil shape, a pig-tail coil shape and a helical coil shape.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
forming a proximal retention structure, the proximal retention structure being disposed at a proximal end of the elongated member.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the forming a continuous spiral-shaped opening includes forming a continuous spiral-shaped opening that includes a plurality of revolutions around the elongated member.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
forming a retention structure; and
bonding the retention structure to an end portion of the elongated member.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
forming a first retention structure;
bonding the first retention structure to a first end portion of the elongate member;
forming a second retention structure; and
bonding the second retention structure to a second end portion of the elongate member.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the heating includes exposing the inner lining and the outer cover to a heat lamp.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the heating includes placing the wire disposed between the inner lining and the outer cover in an oven.
11. A method for forming a ureteral stent comprising:
disposing a wire between an inner lining and an outer cover;
heating the inner lining and the outer cover such that the inner lining and the outer cover surround the wire to form an elongated member;
forming a first slit in the elongated member, the first slit configured to define a first rotation of a continuous spiral-shaped opening; and
forming a second slit in elongated member, the second slit configured to define a second rotation of the continuous spiral-shaped opening.
12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
forming a distal retention structure, the distal retention structure being disposed at a distal end of the elongated member.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the forming the distal retention structure includes forming the distal retention structure via at least one of injection molding, extrusion and heat-formed.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the forming the distal retention structure includes forming the distal retention structure to have a shape selected from a group consisting of a “J” shape, a coil shape, a pig-tail coil shape and a helical coil shape.
15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
forming a proximal retention structure, the proximal retention structure being disposed at a proximal end of the elongated member.
16. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
forming a retention structure; and
bonding the retention structure to an end portion of the elongated member.
17. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
forming a first retention structure;
bonding the first retention structure to a first end portion of the elongate member;
forming a second retention structure; and
bonding the second retention structure to a second end portion of the elongate member.
18. The method of claim 11 , wherein the heating includes exposing the inner lining and the outer cover to a heat lamp.
19. The method of claim 11 , wherein the heating includes placing the wire disposed between the inner lining and the outer cover in an oven.