Methods and devices for use in performing pulmonary procedures
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A flow control device for regulating fluid flow through a bronchial passageway, comprising:
- a support structure dimensioned to fit within the bronchial passageway and configured to engage the bronchial passageway to retain the flow control device therein; and
a valve element coupled to the support structure, the valve element being movable from a first configuration to allow fluid flow through the bronchial passageway and a second configuration to block fluid flow through the bronchial passageway;
wherein the valve element includes a resilient structure that engages a wall of the bronchial passageway in the second configuration.
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Abstract
An implantable flow control element is provided which prevents air from entering an isolated portion of a patient'"'"'s lung. The element may permit air to escape from the isolated portion so that the element acts like a valve. Systems for implanting pulmonary devices are also provided.
1007 Citations
72 Claims
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1. A flow control device for regulating fluid flow through a bronchial passageway, comprising:
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a support structure dimensioned to fit within the bronchial passageway and configured to engage the bronchial passageway to retain the flow control device therein; and
a valve element coupled to the support structure, the valve element being movable from a first configuration to allow fluid flow through the bronchial passageway and a second configuration to block fluid flow through the bronchial passageway;
wherein the valve element includes a resilient structure that engages a wall of the bronchial passageway in the second configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 5, 6)
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7. A flow control device for regulating fluid flow through a bronchial passageway, comprising:
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a support structure dimensioned to fit within the bronchial passageway and configured to engage the bronchial passageway to retain the flow control device therein; and
a valve element coupled to the support structure, the valve element being movable from a first configuration to allow fluid flow through the bronchial passageway and a second configuration to block fluid flow through the bronchial passageway;
wherein the valve element comprises a flexible material that engages a wall of the bronchial passageway in the second configuration. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A flow control device for regulating fluid flow through a bronchial passageway, comprising:
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a support structure dimensioned to fit within the bronchial passageway so as to define an annular space between the support structure and a wall of the bronchial passageway;
an anchoring element extending outwardly from the support structure and configured to engage the bronchial passageway to retain the flow control device therein; and
a blocking element coupled to the support structure and configured to block fluid flow through the annular space in at least one direction, the blocking element comprising a flexible material coupled to a resilient structure. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A flow control device for regulating fluid flow through a bronchial passageway, comprising:
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a support structure dimensioned to fit within the bronchial passageway and configured to engage the bronchial passageway to retain the flow control device therein; and
a blocking element coupled to the support structure and configured to block fluid flow through the bronchial passageway in at least one direction, the blocking element having a generally conical shape. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A flow control device for regulating fluid flow through a bronchial passageway, comprising:
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a support structure dimensioned to fit within the bronchial passageway so as to define an annular space between the support structure and a wall of the bronchial passageway;
at least one anchoring elements extending outwardly from the support structure and configured to engage the bronchial passageway to retain the flow control device therein; and
a valve element coupled to the support structure, the valve element being movable from a first configuration to allow fluid flow through the bronchial passageway and a second configuration to block fluid flow through the annular space. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A flow-control device for regulating fluid flow through a bronchial passageway, comprising:
a body dimensioned to fit within the bronchial passageway so that the body can be removably located within the bronchial passageway, wherein the body is shaped to engage an interior wall of the bronchial passageway to block the bronchial passageway so that fluid is prohibited from flowing in an inhalation direction through the bronchial passageway, and wherein the body can separate from the interior wall and permit fluid to flow between the body and the interior wall in an expiratory direction through the bronchial passageway while the body is mounted in the bronchial passageway. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. A flow-control device for regulating fluid flow through a bronchial passageway, comprising:
a valve comprised of an annular wall dimensioned to fit within the bronchial passageway, wherein the device can be removably mounted in the bronchial passageway such that the annular wall engages an interior wall of the bronchial passageway so that the device obstructs the bronchial passageway and prevents fluid from flowing through the bronchial passageway in a first direction, and wherein the annular wall can disengage from interior wall of the bronchial passageway when exposed to fluid flow in a second direction while the device is mounted within the bronchial passageway such that fluid can flow in a second direction through the bronchial passageway in between the annular wall and the interior wall of the bronchial passageway. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70)
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71. A flow-control device for regulating fluid flow through a bronchial passageway, comprising:
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a body dimensioned to fit within the bronchial passageway so that the body can be removably located within the bronchial passageway, wherein the body operates in a flow-blocking mode wherein the body engages an interior wall of the bronchial passageway to block fluid flow through the bronchial passageway in an inhalation direction, and wherein the body also operates in a flow-allowing mode wherein the body yields to disengage from the interior wall of the bronchial passageway and permit fluid to flow in an expiration direction through the bronchial passageway in-between the body and the interior wall of the bronchial passageway.
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72. A flow-control device for regulating fluid flow through a bronchial passageway, comprising:
a body dimensioned to be inserted into a bronchial passageway, wherein the body is shaped to engage an interior wall of the bronchial passageway and form a seal with the wall and thereby block the flow of fluid in a first direction through the bronchial passageway, and wherein the body yields to disengage the interior wall of the bronchial passageway to permit fluid to flow through the bronchial passageway in a second direction and in between the body and the interior wall of the bronchial passageway.
Specification