Methods and devices for blocking flow through collateral pathways in the lung

• US 20050196344A1
• Filed: 02/25/2005
• Published: 09/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pulmonx Corp.
• Original Assignee: Pulmonx Pulmonx
• Inventors: Fields, Antony J., McCutcheon, John, Shaw, David Peter
• Granted Patent: US 8,206,684 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/00 Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or joints, devices specially adapted therefor A61B17/56; Nursing devices; Anti-rape devicesbandages, dressings or absorbent pads A61F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/00 Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes in general B05B; aerosol containers B65D83/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0406 implanted flow modifiers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1039 Lungs

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of regulating fluid flow for a targeted lung region. The method comprises injecting a therapeutic agent into the targeted lung region. The therapeutic agent induces a reaction in lung tissue of the targeted lung region or in a collateral pathway to the lung region to reduce collateral fluid flow into the targeted lung region. In one aspect, the method additionally comprises deploying a bronchial isolation device in the direct pathway to regulate fluid flow to the targeted lung region through the direct pathway. The therapeutic agent can comprise, for example, a sclerosing agent that induces a reaction that causes sclerosis in the lung tissue.

Claims

1. A method of regulating fluid flow for a targeted lung region, comprising:

injecting a therapeutic agent into the targeted lung region, wherein the therapeutic agent induces a reaction in lung tissue of the targeted lung region or in a collateral pathway to the lung region to reduce collateral fluid flow into the targeted lung region.

2. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising deploying a bronchial isolation device in the direct pathway to regulate fluid flow to the targeted lung region through the direct pathway.

3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the therapeutic agent comprises a sclerosing agent that induces a reaction that causes sclerosis in the lung tissue.

4. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the therapeutic agent induces a reaction that inflames the lung tissue.

5. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein injecting a therapeutic agent comprises:

deploying a delivery catheter through a bronchial tree into the targeted lung region such that a distal end of the delivery catheter communicates with the targeted lung region;

flowing the therapeutic agent through the delivery catheter so that the therapeutic agent exits the distal end of the delivery catheter into the targeted lung region.

6. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the delivery catheter comprises a balloon-tipped catheter, and additionally comprising:

inflating a balloon on the balloon-tipped catheter to prior to injecting the therapeutic agent to prevent backflow of the therapeutic agent in a proximal direction.

7. The method of claim 3, additionally comprising removing at least some of the sclerosing agent from the targeted lung region.

8. The method of claim 3, additionally comprising mixing a local anesthetic with the sclerosing agent prior to injection of the sclerosing agent.

9. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the therapeutic agent is a bulking agent that fills the targeted lung region or collateral pathway to thereby at least partially fill-up a volume contained in the targeted lung region or collateral pathway.

10. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the therapeutic agent comprises a mixture of a bulking agent and a sclerosing agent.

11. A method of regulating fluid flow for a targeted lung region, comprising:

reducing collateral fluid flow that flows through a collateral pathway to the targeted lung region; and

after reducing collateral flow to the targeted lung region, reducing direct fluid flow in a direct pathway that provides direct fluid flow to the targeted lung region.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein reducing the amount of collateral fluid flow comprises:

injecting a therapeutic agent into the targeted lung region, wherein the therapeutic agent induces a reaction in lung tissue of the targeted lung region to reduce collateral fluid flow into the targeted lung region.

13. The method of claim 11, additionally comprising causing the targeted lung region to collapse.

14. The method of claim 12, additionally comprising removing the therapeutic agent from the targeted lung region.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the therapeutic agent is removed using suction.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the flow control element allows fluid flow in an exhalation direction and restricts fluid flow in an inspiration direction.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the therapeutic agent comprises a sclerosing agent that induces a reaction that causes sclerosis in the lung tissue.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the therapeutic agent is a bulking agent that fills the targeted lung region or collateral pathway to thereby at least partially fill-up a volume contained in the targeted lung region or collateral pathway.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the therapeutic agent comprises a mixture of a bulking agent and a sclerosing agent.