Devices and methods for maintaining collateral channels in tissue
First Claim
1. A method of placing a conduit within lung tissue comprising:
- feeding a guide-wire to a site within the lung;
advancing a conduit to the site using the guide-wire; and
placing the conduit within lung tissue at the site.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The devices and methods of placement of such devices disclosed herein are directed to altering gaseous flow within a lung to improve the expiration cycle of, for instance, an individual having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. More particularly, these devices produce and maintain collateral openings or channels through the airway wall so that oxygen depleted/carbon dioxide rich air is able to pass directly out of the lung tissue to facilitate both the exchange of oxygen ultimately into the blood and/or to decompress hyper-inflated lungs. The medical kits disclosed herein are also directed to produce and maintain collateral openings through airway walls.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method of placing a conduit within lung tissue comprising:
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feeding a guide-wire to a site within the lung;
advancing a conduit to the site using the guide-wire; and
placing the conduit within lung tissue at the site. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 28)
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- 11. The method of 10, wherein placing the conduit within lung tissue further includes expanding the conduit within the collateral channel.
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12. A conduit for maintaining the patency of an opening in tissue comprising:
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a center section having a first end and a second end and a central axis extending between said ends, a passageway within said center section extending between said ends, said center section having a wall;
at least one end section having a first end which abuts an end of the center section and a second end, a central axis extending between said ends, a passageway within said center section extending between said ends, said end section having a wall wherein at least a portion of each of said end sections being connected to said center section have a weakened section such that each of said free ends of said end section may bend at said respective weakened section when an outward radial force is applied to said extension member.
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33. A medical kit for improving gaseous flow within a diseased lung comprising:
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a conduit; and
an instruction teaching;
selecting at least one site for collateral ventilation of the lung;
creating a collateral channel at each of the sites for collateral ventilation;
inserting the conduit in the collateral channel. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification