Method and apparatus for placement of implantable device adjacent a body lumen

Abstract

The present subject matter provides method and apparatus for placement of implantable devices adjacent a body lumen. A method of implanting an implantable device at a target site for controllable coaptation of a patient's urethra using an ultrasonic probe inserted into a rectum of the patient comprises inserting a Foley catheter into the urethra, expanding a Foley balloon in the bladder neck, inserting the ultrasonic probe into the rectum of the patient, using the ultrasonic probe to image the urethra and Foley balloon at the bladder neck, placing a small puncture in the perineum, passing a delivery device to the target site under ultra sonic guidance, injecting echogenic fluid at the target site adjacent the urethra, delivering the implantable device to the target site, and adjusting the implantable device to improve coaptation of the urethra.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of implanting an implantable device at a target site for controllable coaptation of a patient's urethra using an ultrasonic probe inserted into a rectum of the patient, comprising:
 inserting a Foley catheter into the urethra;   expanding a Foley balloon in the bladder neck;   inserting the ultrasonic probe into the rectum of the patient;   using the ultrasonic probe to image the urethra and Foley balloon at the bladder neck;   placing a small puncture in the perineum;   passing a delivery device to the target site under ultrasonic guidance;   delivering the implantable device to the target site; and   adjusting the implantable device to improve coaptation of the urethra.