Facilitating drainage

Abstract

A prostatic stent comprises a body member and a retaining member. The body member includes a distal terminating end, a proximal end portion, and a lumen extending within the body member to allow fluid drainage through the body member. The body member is sized for placement substantially within the prostatic section of the urethra, with the distal terminating end located proximal of an external sphincter to allow normal operation of the external sphincter. The retaining member extends from the proximal end portion of the body member. The retaining member is collapsible into a first state to allow passage of the prostatic stent into the urethra, and the retaining member is expandable into a second state when located in a bladder to hold the body member in place substantially within the prostatic section of the urethra.

1 . A prostatic stent, comprising: 
 (a) a body member including a distal terminating end, a proximal end portion, and a lumen extending within the body member, the body member sized for placement substantially within the prostatic section of the urethra with the distal terminating end located proximal of an external sphincter; and    (b) a retaining member extending from the proximal end portion of the body member, the retaining member being collapsible and expandable.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein a proximal portion of the retaining member is tapered.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the retaining member is formed integrally with the body member.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the retaining member is biased in an expanded state.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the retaining member comprises at least two arms biased in the expanded state.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the body member comprises at least one side opening in communication with the lumen.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the body member includes at least one protrusion to aid retention of the body member substantially within the prostatic section of the urethra.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the body member comprises a flexible, compliant material capable of maintaining the lumen when located within the urethra.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a suture extending from the medical device through the urethra, and terminating externally of the meatus to allow removal of the medical device from the urethra by pulling the suture.  
   
   
       10 - 19 . (canceled)