Methods for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
First Claim
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1. A method of locating a site in an airway in a lung for the creation of at least one collateral channel, the method comprising:
- examining an area of the lung for collateral ventilation in the lung.
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Abstract
The methods and devices disclosed altering gaseous flow within a lung to improve the expiration cycle of individuals having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of locating a site in an airway in a lung for the creation of at least one collateral channel, the method comprising:
examining an area of the lung for collateral ventilation in the lung. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of improving gaseous flow within a diseased lung comprising:
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altering the gaseous flow paths within the lung;
locating at least one region within a portion of a natural airway of the respiratory system for altering gaseous flow where locating comprises;
examining the lung using an imaging method selected from radiography, computer tomography, ultrasound, Doppler, MRI, PET and acoustic imaging to determine a location to alter the gaseous flow. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of evaluating an individual having a diseased lung as a candidate for a procedure to create collateral channels within an airway of the individual, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) performing pulmonary function tests on the individual to obtain at least one pulmonary function value;
(b) comparing the at least one pulmonary function to a corresponding predetermined pulmonary function value;
(c) assigning a rating to the individual based upon said comparing step; and
(d) evaluating the individual based upon the rating. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of determining the effectiveness of a procedure to improve gaseous flow within a diseased lung, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) performing pulmonary function tests on the individual to obtain at least one pulmonary function value;
(b) creating collateral channels within the lung;
(c) performing post procedure pulmonary function tests on the individual to obtain at least one post-procedure pulmonary function value; and
(d) obtaining clinical information from the individual;
(e) comparing the pulmonary function value with the post-procedure pulmonary function value to determine the effect of creating collateral ventilation; and
(f) evaluating the comparing step with the clinical information to assess the effectiveness of the procedure to improve gaseous flow within the diseased lung. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification