Abstract: A ureteral stent includes a first material and a second material. The second material is formulated to have a hardness that is greater than a hardness of the first material. The second material is formulated to be soluble in a bodily fluid. The second material is combined with the first material to form a substantially homogeneous combination of the first material and the second material.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards a medical device including an elongate member having a side wall defining a lumen configured to convey a fluid within a body of a patient. The medical device includes a reinforcement member configured to be selectively coupled to the side wall of the elongate member at a first axial location and a second axial location, the second axial location being axially offset from the first axial location. In some embodiments, the reinforcement member includes a side wall defining a lumen and the elongate member is configured to extend through the lumen defined by the side wall of the reinforcement member.

Abstract: A medical device includes a sheath defining a lumen, an elongate member disposed within the lumen, and a basket including a plurality of legs connected to the elongate member. A distal end of each of the plurality of legs moves along a length of an adjacent one of the plurality of legs.

Abstract: A ureteral stent assembly includes an elongate member having a distal end portion for placement within a kidney of a patient and a proximal end portion for placement in at least one of a ureter of the patient and a bladder of the patient. The distal end portion has a retention portion configured to help retain at least a portion of the elongate member in the kidney of the patient. The elongate member is configured to be passed through the ureter of the patient from the kidney to the bladder to remove the elongate member from the patient. In one embodiment, the retention portion is configured such that a distal tip of the distal end portion of the ureteral stent is spaced from a sidewall of the ureter when the elongate member is passed through the ureter of the patient to remove the elongate member from the patient.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a medical device having a dilation capability and related methods are disclosed. For example, the medical device may include a distal assembly having a radially expandable body defining a passageway therethrough, and a control member extending from the distal assembly to a proximal end of the device. Actuation of the control member may apply a compressive force to the body, causing the body to radially expand and a cross-sectional area of the passageway to increase.

Abstract: A device for placement within a body of a patient includes an elongated member and an inflatable member coupled to the elongated member. In one embodiment, the elongated member has a first end portion and a second end portion and defines a lumen. The inflatable member is coupled to the elongated member between the first end portion of the elongated member and the second end portion of the elongated member. The inflatable member is configured to be inflated with a fluid and is configured to deliver the fluid to the body of the patient when the device is placed within the body.

Abstract: A stent is designed to be placed in a lumen of a patient and extend therethrough. The stent includes a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end includes a distal retention structure and the proximal end includes a plurality of radially extending flexible segments to prevent migration of the stent through the lumen. At least one radially extending flexible segment at the proximal end is able to assume an outwardly everted configuration. The stent of the invention, due to its dimensions, shape, and rigidity, minimizes the force of contact and abrasion to sensitive areas of the patient's body, such as the trigone region of the bladder and the ureteral-vesical junction.