Stent for splinting a nasal passage

Abstract

The present invention relates to a stent for splinting a nasal passage. The stent ( 1 ) consists of a braided tubular support body ( 2 ) which, in unloaded state, has a diameter of at least 4 mm and a length in the range of 25 to 120 mm and particularly of 25 to 100 mm. The stent may have a widened section ( 15 ) at the proximal end for splinting of the nasal alar. It may alternatively or in combination have a fixation section ( 3 ) at the proximal end of the stent ( 1 ) for fixation of the stent ( 1 ) in a nasal passage of a user. When fixed the fixation section ( 3 ) protrudes from the nostril of the user and can be fixed outside of the nose.

1 . A stent for splinting of a nasal passage, comprising a braided tubular support body which, in an unloaded state, has a diameter of at least 4 mm and a length in a range of 25 to 120 mm. 
     
     
         2 . A stent according to  claim 1 , wherein the support body has a widened section at its proximal end. 
     
     
         3 . A stent according to  claim 2 , wherein the widened section has a diameter of at least 10 mm. 
     
     
         4 . A stent according to  claim 1 , wherein the stent has a fixation section positioned at the proximal end of the stent which is provided for fixation of the stent in a nasal passage of the user and wherein the fixation section protrudes from the nostril of the user during fixation of the fixation section and can be fixed outside of the nose. 
     
     
         5 . A stent according to  claim 1 , wherein the stent is compressible in an introduction tube and is self-expanding upon release from the introduction tube. 
     
     
         6 . A stent according to  claim 1 , wherein at least the support body is made from a wire braid. 
     
     
         7 . A stent according to  claim 1 , wherein the support body is made from an elastic wire with a diameter of 0.001 to 2 mm, and wherein the wire comprises a metal wire. 
     
     
         8 . A stent according to  claim 1 , wherein the stent has a support body which, in unloaded state, has at least one of a maximum diameter in a range of 15 to 20 mm and a length in a range of 30 to 50 mm. 
     
     
         9 . A stent according to  claim 1 , wherein the support body has an essentially cylindric shape. 
     
     
         10 . A stent according to  claim 1 , wherein the diatal end of the support body is tapered. 
     
     
         11 . A stent according to  claim 1 , wherein the fixation section comprises a coupling element for fixation of the stent at a holding element and/or a inserting rod. 
     
     
         12 . A holding element for a stent according to  claim 1 , wherein the holding element is designed such that it can be captively connected in an arrangement selected from the group consisting of (i) arrangements in which the holding element is captively connected to at least one fixation section of a stent, and (ii) arrangements in which the holding element is captively connected to two fixation sections of two stents. 
     
     
         13 . A holding element according to  claim 12 , wherein the holding element has at least one matching coupling elements that can each be coupled with a coupling element of the stent. 
     
     
         14 . A system for splinting of a nasal passage, comprising a stent according to  claim 1  and an inserting rod and an introduction tube. 
     
     
         15 . A system for splinting of a nasal passage according to  claim 14 , wherein the stent can be detachably connected to the inserting rod and/or the system comprises a removal tool for removal of the stent from the nasal passage, wherein the removal tool can be coupled to the stent.