Methods and devices to accelerate wound healing in thoracic anastomosis applications

• US 20050025816A1
• Filed: 06/30/2004
• Published: 02/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Portaero, Inc
• Original Assignee: Portaero, Inc
• Inventors: Tanaka, Don
• Granted Patent: US 7,682,332 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/445
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/11 for performing anastomosis; Buttons for anastomosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1103 Approximator
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/04 Artificial pneumothorax apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0406 implanted flow modifiers
• 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 2039/0297 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. A lung reduction device may passively decompress the lung or lungs. 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 and various devices and/or drugs, agents and/or compounds may be utilized to accelerate wound healing in thoracic anastomosis applications.

Claims

1. A device for accelerating wound healing in a thoracic anastomosis comprising:

a fibrosis accelerating component; and

a support structure for maintaining the fibrosis accelerating component in contact with at least a portion of the tissue forming the anastomosis.

2. A device for accelerating wound healing in a thoracic anastomosis comprising:

a fibrosis accelerating component;

a support structure for maintaining the fibrosis accelerating component in contact with at least a portion of the tissue forming the anastomosis; and

one or more agents in therapeutic dosages releasably affixed to at least a portion of the fibrosis accelerating component, the one or more agents facilitating wound healing.

3. A device for accelerating wound healing in a thoracic anastomosis comprising:

a lattice structure; and

at least one element for maintaining the lattice structure in contact with at least a portion of the tissue surrounding the anastomosis.

4. An apparatus for accelerating wound healing in a thoracic anastomosis comprising:

a first element positioned on a first side of the anastomosis;

a second element positioned on a second side of the anastomosis;

at least one component connected to the first and second elements, the at least one component maintaining a predetermined spacing between the first and second elements to create a compressive force on the tissue forming the anastomosis.

5. An apparatus for accelerating wound healing in a thoracic anastomosis comprising:

a first element positioned on a first side of the anastomosis;

a second element positioned on a second side of the anastomosis; and

at least one component connected between the first and second elements, the at least one component drawing the first and second elements towards one another thereby creating a compressive force on the tissue forming the anastomosis.

6. An apparatus for accelerating wound healing in a thoracic anastomosis comprising:

a first element positioned on a first side of the anastomosis;

a second element positioned on a second side of the anastomosis;

at least one component connected to the first and second elements, the at least one component maintaining a predetermined spacing between the first and second elements to create a compressive force on the tissue forming the anastomosis; and

one or more agents in therapeutic dosages releasably affixed to at least a portion of at least one of the first and second elements, the one or more agents facilitating wound healing.

7. A device for accelerating wound healing in a thoracic anastomosis comprising a one-piece structure configured to exert a substantially constant compressive force on the tissue surrounding the anastomosis.

8. A method for accelerating wound healing in a thoracic anastomosis comprising the promotion of tissue in-growth through a lattice in contact with the tissue surrounding the anastomosis.

9. A method for accelerating wound healing in a thoracic anastomosis comprising exerting a substantially constant compressive force on the tissue surrounding the anastomosis.