Patent attributes
Disclosed is a pressure sensitive prosthesis that includes a tubular member having a passageway extending therethrough and a sleeve attached about one end of the tubular member. The sleeve functions as a one-way valve to permit fluid flowing through the sleeve lumen in a first direction and under a first pressure, while collapsing in response to fluid flowing in a second direction when the pressure thereof exceeds that of the first direction or pressure. One aspect of the invention includes an esophageal anti-reflux expandable prosthesis wherein the sleeve is adapted to invert back through the tubular stent frame to permit belching or vomiting (fluid or materials under a third, significantly higher pressure). Another aspect of the invention includes a tubular drainage stent, such as a biliary or urethral stent in which the sleeve opens to permit passage of fluids, then collapses to prevent retrograde flow.
