Methods and devices for improving breathing in patients with pulmonary disease

• US 20060032497A1
• Filed: 07/11/2005
• Published: 02/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc. (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc. (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Doshi, Rajiv
• Application Number:
  US11/178,640
• Publication Number:
  US 20060032497A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/200.240
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12036 partial occlusion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12104 in an air passage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12172 having a pre-set deployed three-dimensional shape methods of manufacturing A61B2017/00526
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12177 comprising additional materials, e.g. thrombogenic, having filaments, having fibers or being coated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/24 for use in the oral cavity, larynx, bronchial passages or nose for medical inspection of cavities or tubes in the body A61B1/00; Tongue scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/20 Epiglottis; Larynxes; Tracheae combined with larynxes or for use therewith tracheae, bronchi per se A61F2/04 ; tracheostomy tubes A61M16/0465
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/24 Heart valves ; Vascular valves, e.g. venous valves; Heart implants, e.g. passive devices for improving the function of the native valve or the heart muscle; Transmyocardial revascularisation [TMR] devices; Valves implantable in the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/043 Bronchi
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0488 Mouthpieces; Means for guiding, securing or introducing the tubes guiding or introducing with laryngoscopes A61B1/267; holding devices on the body A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0493 with means for protecting the tube from damage caused by the patient's teeth, e.g. bite block
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/20 Valves specially adapted to medical respiratory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/18 for improving respiratory function

Abstract

Methods, apparatus, and kits for enhancing breathing in patients suffering from chronic pulmonary obstructive disease are described. The methods and apparatus rely on increasing flow resistance to expiration in a manner which mimics “pursed lip” breathing which has been found to benefit patients suffering from this disease. In a first example, a device is implanted in a trachea or bronchial passage to increase flow resistance, preferably selectively increase resistance to expiration relative to inspiration. In a second embodiment, a mouthpiece is provided, again to increase resistance to expiration, preferably with a lesser increase in flow resistance to inspiration. In a third embodiment, the patient'"'"'s trachea or bronchial passage is modified by the application of energy in order to partially close the lumen therethrough.

Claims

1. A device for partially occluding an expiratory airway in a patient, the device comprising:

a frame implantable within a trachea or bronchial passage; and

means on the frame for increasing flow resistance to expiration.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the means selectively increases flow resistance to expiration while increasing resistance to inspiration to a lesser extent.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the means comprises a flow responsive element which opens to inspiration and closes to expiration.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the means comprises a fixed element.

5. A method for treating patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the method comprising:

creating a resistance to expiratory flow in a tracheal or bronchial passage.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of creating includes the step of implanting a flow resistor in the trachea or bronchial passage.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the flow resistor comprises an implantable frame and means on the frame for selectively increasing flow resistance to expiration.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of creating includes the step of applying energy to the trachea or bronchial passage to partially occlude the lumen of the passage.

9. A device that partially occludes an expiratory airway in a patient, the device including a flow resistance element implantable within one of the trachea and a bronchi of the patient.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the flow resistance element provides a first flow resistance to inspiration and a second flow resistance to expiration, the second flow resistance being greater than the first flow resistance.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein the flow resistance element comprises a valve.

12. The device of claim 11 further including a frame that supports the valve.

13. The device of claim 9 wherein the flow resistance element provides a first flow resistance to air flow from proximal airways to distal airways, a second flow resistance to first air flow from distal airways to proximal airways, and a third flow resistance to second air flow from distal airways to proximal airways, wherein the second flow resistance is greater than the third flow resistance and the second airflow from distal airways to proximal airways is greater than the first airflow from distal airways to proximal airways.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the third flow resistance is greater than the first flow resistance.