Methods, systems, and kits for lung volume reduction

• US 20020062120A1
• Filed: 12/13/2001
• Published: 05/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pulmonx Corp.
• Original Assignee: Pulmonx Pulmonx
• Inventors: Kotmel, Robert, Soltesz, Peter P., Perkins, Rodney A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,141,046 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/516
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00165 with light-conductive means, e.g. fibre optics A61B1/07 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/005 Flexible endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2676 Bronchoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00491 Surgical glue applicators surgical adhesives A61L24/00; two-component delivery syringes A61M5/19
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12022 Occluding by internal devices, e.g. balloons or releasable wires plugging an opening in the wall of an organ A61B17/0057; occluders for the cervical canal A61F6/146; vas deferens occluders A61F6/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12045 double occlusion, e.g. during anastomosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12104 in an air passage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12136 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12159 Solid plugs; being solid before insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12186 liquid materials adapted to be injected
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1219 expandable in contact with liquids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00535 pneumatically or hydraulically operated A61B2017/22051, A61B2090/401 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1205 Introduction devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/30 Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments for wound clamps A61B17/10; for ligaturing clips A61B17/122; packages or dispensers for surgical gloves or finger-stalls A61B42/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/04 Tracheal tubes catheters in general A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0404 with means for selective or partial lung respiration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0418 with integrated means for changing the degree of curvature, e.g. for easy intubation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0459 : one cuff behind another
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0486 : Multi-lumen tracheal tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 : pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0413 : with detectors of CO2 in exhaled gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1052 : for temporarily occluding a vessel for isolating a sector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/058 : with ultrasound therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/06 : Packaging for specific medical equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1039 : Lungs

Abstract

Lung volume reduction is performed in a minimally invasive manner by isolating a lung tissue segment, optionally reducing gas flow obstructions within the segment, and aspirating the segment to cause the segment to at least partially collapse. Further optionally, external pressure may be applied on the segment to assist in complete collapse. Reduction of gas flow obstructions may be achieved in a variety of ways, including over inflation of the lung, introduction of mucolytic or dilation agents, application of vibrational energy, induction of absorption atelectasis, or the like. Optionally, diagnostic procedures on the isolated lung segment may be performed, typically using the same isolation/access catheter.

Claims

1. A method of reducing lung size of a lung, the method including the steps of:

inserting a conduit down a trachea, into a mainstem bronchus, into a bronchial branch, and into a bronchial sub-branch communicating with a lung portion of the lung to be reduced in size;

pulling a vacuum in the lung portion through the conduit to collapse the lung portion; and

deploying an obstructing member in the bronchial sub-branch to preclude air from being inhaled into the lung portion through the bronchial sub-branch.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the deploying step includes feeding the obstructing member down the conduit and into the bronchial sub-branch.

3. A method for lung volume reduction, said method comprising:

isolating a lung tissue segment;

aspirating the isolated segment to cause the segment to collapse; and

sealing an air passage which opens to the lung segment to inhibit reinflation of the segment.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein sealing comprises deploying a plug in the air passage.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein deploying comprises advancing the plug through a catheter to the air passage.