Retrievable stent and method of use thereof

Abstract

A removable stent system and method for extraction of a removable stent from a target site is disclosed. The removable stent includes a removable stent having a collapsible end and a collapsing element configured for coupling with a removal tool. The collapsing element can be configured as a lasso or can be movable between two positions when deployed at a target site in vivo. The removable stent overcomes disadvantages and limitations of previous types of stents as well as overcoming complications during or following stent deployment in vivo. The removable stent further includes features that increase its ease of use and reduce the maneuvering required of devices or tools used to remove the stent. This then decreases the amount of effort required by the physician, the procedure time, and the level of discomfort experienced by a patient during the procedure.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to a removable stent and an assembly for its delivery or removal from a target site. The present invention particularly relates to a removable stent and system for its use in a medical procedure involving blood vessels, ducts, treatment of enlarged prostate gland, coronary artery disease and the like. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Stents are used in a wide variety of medical procedures where the permanent expansion of an occluded vessel is desired. Usually, stents are constructed of a metal cylinder that is implanted into a patient at the site of obstruction. In a patient suffering from an occluded vessel, balloon catheterization or balloon angioplasty is often the prescribed treatment. However, following such a procedure, restenosis or re-narrowing of the occluded tissue often occurs. Therefore, stents were developed and are used to optimize and improve the initial and long-term outcome in patients treated f...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] A further object of the invention is to provide a removable stent system that is efficient, requires minimal effort by the user and that is reliable.

[0010] A further object of the invention is to provide a stent removal system where removal of the stent can be achieved by use of a simple removal tool having a grasper attachment.

Problems solved by technology

However, following such a procedure, restenosis or re-narrowing of the occluded tissue often occurs.

Such problems or complications include failure of proper deployment of the stent, misalignment, dislodgement, or damage of the stent after it is deployed, or re-occlusion of the vessel over time once the stent is inserted.

A particular disadvantage in this system is that it is unreliable, as attachment of the expandable element to the stent occurs by adhesion.

One disadvantage of this extraction system and other similar systems is the requirement for complex extraction instrumentation as well as specific and intricate maneuvering by the physician to engage the extraction tool with the stent.

However, it has been discovered that an obstacle or disadvantage to such devices is that their use is complicated.

Additionally, even with the more simple removal systems, the susceptibility of separation of the removal device from the stent during use result in major limitations to the reliability of these systems.

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