Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A ureteral stent apparatus comprising: a) an elongated flexible tube body having a bore for carrying fluid with a central longitudinal bore axis, the tube body having proximal and distal end portions; b) the tube body including a double helical portion at the proximal end portion that is positioned during use at the patient's renal pelvis and wherein the center of the helical portion is laterally offset from the bore axis; c) a bladder coil positioned at the distal end portion of the tube body, and with a bore that communicates with the tube body bore; d) a hub that defines a connection between the softer bladder coil and the stiffer tube body, the hub having a greater diameter than the tube and bladder coil so that the hub can be used to place the tube body in a desired position in the urinary tract of a patient; and e) wherein the bladder coil is of a softer material than the tube body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
A ureteral stent apparatus comprising: a) an elongated flexible tube body having a bore for carrying fluid with a central longitudinal bore axis, the tube body having proximal and distal end portions; b) the tube body including a double helical portion at the proximal end portion that is positioned during use at the patient's renal pelvis and wherein the center of the helical portion is laterally offset from the bore axis; c) a bladder coil positioned at the distal end portion of the tube body, and with a bore that communicates with the tube body bore; d) a hub that defines a connection between the softer bladder coil and the stiffer tube body, the hub having a greater diameter than the tube and bladder coil so that the hub can be used to place the tube body in a desired position in the urinary tract of a patient; and e) wherein the bladder coil is of a softer material than the tube body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The stent of claim 1 wherein the tube is of a polymeric material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The stent of claim 1 wherein the bladder coil is of a polymeric material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The stent of claim 1 wherein the bladder coil is of a softer material than the tube body for reducing irritation of the trigone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The stent of claim 1 wherein at least the hub is of a radiopaque material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The stent of claim 1 wherein at least the tube body is of a radiopaque material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The stent of claim 1 wherein the tube body has a hydrophilic coating.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The stent of claim 1 wherein the bladder coil forms a coil that defines a full circle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
The stent of claim 1 further comprising a wire placement member that fits the tube bore and wherein the tube body, bladder coil and double helical coil can be extended into an elongated straightened positioned for insertion of the tube body into the patients ureter when the wire member occupies the tube bore.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
141 words
A ureteral stent apparatus comprising: a) an elongated flexible tube having a lumen for carrying fluid, the tube having a straight central portion, and proximal and distal end portions; b) the tube proximal end having a coiled portion that generates a circular path that is laterally offset from the straight tube portion, the proximal end portion being positioned during use at the patient's renal pelvis, for retention of the stent in a desired position; c) a bladder coil positioned at the distal end of the tube; d) a hub that defines a connection between the bladder coil and the tube, the hub having a diameter greater than the tube and bladder coil; and e) means for engaging the hub so that pressure can be applied to the hub for placing the hub into a selected position in the patient's urinary tract.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
141 words
A ureteral stent apparatus comprising: a) an elongated flexible tube having a lumen for carrying fluid, the tube having a straight central portion, and proximal and distal end portions; b) the tube proximal end having a coiled portion that generates a circular path that is laterally offset from the straight tube portion, the proximal end portion being positioned during use at the patient's renal pelvis, for retention of the stent in a desired position; c) a bladder coil positioned at the distal end of the tube; d) a hub that defines a connection between the bladder coil and the tube, the hub having a diameter greater than the tube and bladder coil; and e) means for engaging the hub so that pressure can be applied to the hub for placing the hub into a selected position in the patient's urinary tract.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The stent of claim 10 wherein the tube is of a polymeric material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The stent of claim 10 wherein the bladder coil is of a polymeric material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The stent of claim 10 wherein the bladder coil is of a softer material than the tube body for reducing irritation of the trigone.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The stent of claim 10 wherein further comprising a collar positioned between the tube body and the bladder coil.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The stent of claim 14 wherein at least the hub is of a radiopaque material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The stent of claim 10 wherein at least the tube body is of a radiopaque material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The stent of claim 10 wherein the tube body has a hydrophilic coating.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The stent of claim 10 wherein the bladder coil forms a coil that defines a full circle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
53 words
The stent of claim 10 further comprising a wire placement member that fits the tube bore and wherein the tube body, bladder coil and double helical coil can be extended into an elongated straightened positioned for insertion of the tube body into the patients ureter when the wire member occupies the tube bore.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
152 words
A ureteral stent apparatus comprising: a) an elongated flexible tube adapted for placement in a patient's ureter and having a lumen for carrying fluid between the patient's kidney and bladder, the tube having proximal and distal end portions; b) the tube proximal end portion having a helical portion that is positioned during use at the patient's renal pelvis; c) a bladder coil positioned at the distal end of the tube; d) a hub that defines a connection between the bladder coil and the tube, the hub having a diameter greater than the tube and bladder coil; e) a stiff guide member that is stiff enough to straighten the tube, bladder coil and helical portions during insertion into a patient's ureter; f) a pusher assembly including at least a member that can engage the hub so that pressure applied to the hub forces the tube body into a selected position in the ureter.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
152 words
A ureteral stent apparatus comprising: a) an elongated flexible tube adapted for placement in a patient's ureter and having a lumen for carrying fluid between the patient's kidney and bladder, the tube having proximal and distal end portions; b) the tube proximal end portion having a helical portion that is positioned during use at the patient's renal pelvis; c) a bladder coil positioned at the distal end of the tube; d) a hub that defines a connection between the bladder coil and the tube, the hub having a diameter greater than the tube and bladder coil; e) a stiff guide member that is stiff enough to straighten the tube, bladder coil and helical portions during insertion into a patient's ureter; f) a pusher assembly including at least a member that can engage the hub so that pressure applied to the hub forces the tube body into a selected position in the ureter.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the pusher assembly includes a pair of tubular members including a larger and a smaller tubular member, each with a lumen, and one of the tubular members can fit within the lumen of the other tubular member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the stiff guide member is of a radiopaque material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the guide member is a metallic wire.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the larger tubular member can abut and engage the hub during a pushing of the stent during placement.