Methods and devices to assist pulmonary decompression

• US 20040237966A1
• Filed: 05/20/2004
• Published: 12/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Portaero, Inc
• Original Assignee: Portaero, Inc
• Inventors: Tanaka, Don
• Granted Patent: US 7,533,667 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/207.15
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/10 Preparation of respiratory gases or vapours
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/101 using an oxygen concentrator
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/106 in a path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0252 for access to the lungs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0276 for introducing or removing fluids into or out of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0297 at least part of it being inflatable, e.g. for anchoring, sealing or removing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0007 introduced into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/03 Gases in liquid phase, e.g. cryogenic liquids
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0247 Semi-permanent or permanent transcutaneous or percutaneous access sites to the inside of the body peritoneal dialysis catheters A61M1/285; tracheostomy devices A61M16/0465; measuring pressure within the body A61B5/03; colostomy devices A61F5/445; gastrotomy feeding tubes A61J15/0015; means for fixing a feeding tube outside of the body A61J15/0053

Abstract

A long term oxygen therapy system having an oxygen supply directly linked with a patient'"'"'s lung or lungs may be utilized to more efficiently treat hypoxia caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The system includes an oxygen source, one or more valves and fluid carrying conduits. The fluid carrying conduits link the oxygen source to diseased sites within the patient'"'"'s lungs. A collateral ventilation bypass trap system directly linked with a patient'"'"'s lung or lungs may be utilized to increase the expiratory flow from the diseased lung or lungs, thereby treating another aspect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The system includes a trap, a filter/one-way valve and an air carrying conduit. In various embodiments, the system may be intrathoracic, extrathoracic or a combination thereof. A pulmonary decompression device may also be utilized to remove trapped air in the lung or lungs, thereby reducing the volume of diseased lung tissue. In order for the system to be effective, an airtight seal between the parietal and visceral pleurae is required. Chemical pleurodesis is utilized for creating the seal.

Claims

1. A pulmonary decompression assist device comprising:

at least one first member in fluid communication, at a predetermine site, within a lung of a patient;

a sealing device for establishing an airtight seal between the at least one first member and the lung; and

a second member connected to the at least one first member, the second member comprising an apparatus for drawing air from the lung of the patient through the at least one first member and venting it to an area external of the lung.

2. A pulmonary decompression assist device comprising:

at least one first member in fluid communication, at a predetermined site, within a lung of a patient;

a first sealing device for establishing an airtight seal between the at least one first member and the lung;

a second member connected to and in fluid communication with the at least one first member, the second member comprising an apparatus for drawing air from the lung of the patient through the at least one first member and expelling it to the ambient environment, the second member including a section positioned external of the body of the patient; and

a second sealing device for sealing the section positioned external of the body of the patient to the body.

3. A method for decompressing a hyperinflated portion of a lung of a patient comprising:

determining a site of hyperinflation in a patient'"'"'s lung; and

creating a pressure differential between the hyperinflated portion of the lung and the ambient environment such that air from the hyperinflated portion of the lung is vented to the ambient environment.