Abstract: An expandable, elongate flexible conduit is provided for placement in a tubular body structure. An exemplary conduit includes a plurality of flexible longitudinal members defining in an unexpanded state a lumen, the members being radially expandable at preselected intervals to define a longitudinally oriented array of open-sided cages separated by less-expanded tubular segments, at least one of the open-sided cages having a diameter varying along its length and each of the open-sided cages having a maximum diameter larger than a diameter of the less-expanded tubular segments.

Abstract: A stent is provided for decompressing an obstructed passage within the body such as a ureter to facilitate stone passage through a ureter or duct. An exemplary stent includes a flexible, elongate body that defines an open channel along the body. At least a portion of the body is made of a resilient material, wherein the open channel defines a void volume. A retaining or compressive force applied to the resilient material causes the void volume to be reduced, or maintained in a reduced state, until the retaining or compressive force is removed. A sleeve, a wire, or an adhesive soluble in liquid or dissolvable by ultrasound can provide the retaining force. The stent can be configured as a flexible, elongate body having elements distributed along the body that are movable from a first state to a second state to increase the diameter of the ureteral stent from a first diameter to a second diameter.