Methods for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

• US 20040073201A1
• Filed: 08/04/2003
• Published: 04/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Broncus Technologies, Inc
• Original Assignee: Broncus Technologies, Inc
• Inventors: Tanaka, Don, Laufer, Michael D., Loomas, Bryan, Thompson, David, Kaplan, Gary, Davenport, James M., Cooper, Joel D., French, Glendon E., Haugaard, Dave
• Application Number:
  US10/633,902
• Publication Number:
  US 20040073201A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0644 penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/08 Wound clamps or clips, i.e. not or only partly penetrating the tissue suture bridges A61B17/0466; Devices for bringing together the edges of a wound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/11 for performing anastomosis; Buttons for anastomosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22 Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00106 ultrasonic
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• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00575 for closure at remote site, e.g. closing atrial septum defects
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00809 Lung operations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1135 End-to-side connections, e.g. T- or Y-connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1139 Side-to-side connections, e.g. shunt or X-connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22067 Blocking; Occlusion A61B2017/22054 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22077 with a part piercing the tissue A61B2017/22044 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3425 for internal organs, e.g. heart ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3484 Anchoring means, e.g. spreading-out umbrella-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00005 Cooling or heating of the probe or tissue immediately surrounding the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00029 : open
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 : Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00273 : Anchoring means for temporary attachment of a device to tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00285 : Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00541 : Lung or bronchi
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 : Needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1437 : whereby the windings of the spiral touch each other such as to create a continuous surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1475 : Electrodes retractable in or deployable from a housing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1497 : Electrodes covering only part of the probe circumference
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/08021 : of the patient or his organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3782 : transmitter or receiver in catheter or minimal invasive instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/395 : with marking agent for marking skin or other tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/489 : Blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/06 : Measuring blood flow measuring volume flow in general G01F, e.g. G01F1/66, G01F1/72; measuring speed of fluids in general G01P5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 : in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/445 : Details of catheter construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/36 : Image-producing devices or illumination devices not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/02 : Prostheses implantable into the body closure means for urethra or rectum or for artificial body openings therefor A61F2/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/07 : Stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/20 : Epiglottis; Larynxes; Tracheae combined with larynxes or for use therewith tracheae, bronchi per se A61F2/04 ; tracheostomy tubes A61M16/0465
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2412 : with soft flexible valve members, e.g. tissue valves shaped like natural valves check valves with flexible valve members in general F16K15/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2418 : Scaffolds therefor, e.g. support stents
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/856 : Single tubular stent with a side portal passage
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/90 : characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/91 : made from perforated sheet material or tubes, e.g. perforated by laser cuts or etched holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/92 : Stents in the form of a rolled-up sheet expanding after insertion into the vessel , e.g. with a spiral shape in cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/043 : Bronchi
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/8483 : Barbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/005 : using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0066 : stapled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0075 : sutured, ligatured or stitched, retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0058 : X-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0076 : ellipsoidal or ovoid
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0078 : hyperboloidal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0091 : helically-coiled or spirally-coiled, i.e. having a 2-D spiral cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0078 : with multiple treatment transducers

Abstract

The methods and devices disclosed altering gaseous flow within a lung to improve the expiration cycle of individuals having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Claims

1. A method of improving gaseous flow within a lung having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease comprising placing an implant in an airway of the lung to allow expired air to pass out of the lung tissue.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising locating at least one region within a portion of a natural airway of the respiratory system for altering gaseous flow.

3. The method of claim 2, comprising creating at least one channel at a site in the region.

4. The method of claim 3, comprising locating a region for altering gaseous flow prior to the step of locating.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the locating step includes

examining the lung using an imaging method selected from radiography, computer tomography, ultrasound, Doppler, and acoustic imaging to determine a location to alter the gaseous flow.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising delivering drugs to the airway.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of delivering steroids to the lung.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the conduit is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of elastomers, polymers, metals, metal alloys, shape memory alloys, and shape memory polymers.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the conduit is removable from the body.

10. The method of claim 1, comprising creating at least one channel within the lung.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the conduit is adapted to maintain the patency of the natural airway during constriction of the airway.