Apparatus and method for treating occluded infection collections of the digestive tract

Abstract

A device and method for treating an occluded infection collection along the digestive tract with a stent delivered to an appendix, diverticulum or other anatomical structure of the digestive tract. A device and method to remove an obstruction from an occluded infection collection along the digestive tract with an obstruction removal device delivered to an appendix, diverticulum or other anatomical structure of the digestive tract.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A stent for treating an occluded digestive tract projection, comprising:
 a proximal end portion,   a distal end portion,   a lumen extending between the proximal and distal end portions; and   a side wall extending between the proximal and distal end portions and beign sized and configured for opening a lumen of a digestive tract projection.   
     
     
         2 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein the side wall is sized and configured to open at least an ostium of an appendix. 
     
     
         3 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein the side wall is sized and configured to open at least an ostium of a diverticulum. 
     
     
         4 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein at least the proximal and distal end portions are formed of a biocompatible material. 
     
     
         5 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein at least the proximal and distal end portions are formed of a bioabsorbable material. 
     
     
         6 . The stent of  claim 1  comprising a therapeutic agent that elutes from the stent when implanted. 
     
     
         7 . The stent of  claim 1  comprising a delivery mechanism wherein a beneficial flora is released before or after a therapeutic agent is released. 
     
     
         8 . The stent of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more coating selected from the group consisting of a biocompatible coating, a low-friction coating, a high-friction coating, a hydrophilic polymer coating, a silver coating, and a therapeutic agent coating. 
     
     
         9 . The stent of  claim 1 , further comprising a one-way valve disposed within the lumen. 
     
     
         10 . The stent of  claim 1 , further comprising a securing feature projection from one or more of the proximal end, the distal end and the side wall. 
     
     
         11 . The stent of  claim 1 , further comprising a tether. 
     
     
         12 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein the stent has regions of varying width. 
     
     
         13 . A stent for treating an occluded digestive tract projection, comprising:
 a proximal end portion,   a distal end portion, and   a lumen extending between the proximal and distal end portions, the lumen configured to allow a fluid flow in a first direction through the lumen and to inhibit fluid flow in a second direction through the lumen.   
     
     
         14 . The stent of  claim 13 , wherein at least the proximal and distal end portions are formed of a biocompatible material. 
     
     
         15 . The stent of  claim 13 , wherein at least the proximal and distal end portions are formed of a bioabsorbable material. 
     
     
         16 . The stent of  claim 13 , further comprising a therapeutic agent that elutes from the stent when implanted. 
     
     
         17 . The stent of  claim 13 , comprising a delivery mechanism wherein a beneficial flora is released before or after a therapeutic agent is released. 
     
     
         18 . The stent of  claim 13 , further comprising one or more coating selected from the group consisting of a biocompatible coating, a low-friction coating, a high-friction coating, a hydrophilic polymer coating, a silver coating, and a therapeutic agent coating. 
     
     
         19 . The stent of  claim 13 , further comprising a one-way valve. 
     
     
         20 . The stent of  claim 13 , further comprising a securing feature.