Intraluminal stent

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In accordance with the present invention there is provided an intraluminal stent adapted for Fallopian tube reanastomosis and a method of rejoining the end portions of a resected Fallopian tube using such a stent.
The stent comprises a solid elongated element having an outer surface uniformly tapered throughout its length to conform to the tapered inner surface of the walls of the Fallopian tube at the juncture of the two end portions which were formed in a resection procedure.
In a preferred embodiment, at least one suture is provided at the proximal (small end) portion of the stent, and in a most preferred embodiment, at least one suture is provided at each end portion of the stent.
In carrying out the method of the present invention, the tapered stent is passed into the fimbriated end of a resected Fallopian tube, small end first, and then past the resected ends and into the proximal portion of the tube.
The end portions of the Fallopian tube are brought together and sutured in place.
Since the stent is tapered it can fit snugly into both the distal and proximal portions of the Fallopian tube, mimicking the normal diameters (increasing distally) of the Fallopian tube.
This produces a wedging effect on the tissues which will help prevent the reanastomosis site from contracting into a smaller lumen than the remainder of the tube.
Because the stent will be left in for a few days during the healing process, and removed in a later laparoscopy, the healing process will continue past the development of scar tissue so that, when the stent is removed, the lumen will remain relatively scar-free and of normal diameter.
An additional advantage, of course, is the fact that this method can be used with a laparoscope, thus avoiding a major incision.