METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SEGMENTAL LUNG DIAGNOSTICS
First Claim
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1. A method for determining the extent of hyperinflation of a lung compartment, said method comprising:
- occluding the lung compartment with a catheter so that all air expelled from the compartment passes out through the catheter; and
measuring the total amount of air expelled from the compartment from the time of initial occlusion until flow from the compartment substantially stops.
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Abstract
Minimally invasive systems and methods are provided for diagnosing conditions in target lung compartments. Using catheters capable of isolating the target lung compartments and measuring one or more of collateral ventilation, pressure, flow rate, and volume, conditions such as hyperinflation, compliance, gas exchange including oxygen uptake, directionality of collateral channels, blood flow, and blood flow per unit lung volume may be assessed.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for determining the extent of hyperinflation of a lung compartment, said method comprising:
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occluding the lung compartment with a catheter so that all air expelled from the compartment passes out through the catheter; and
measuring the total amount of air expelled from the compartment from the time of initial occlusion until flow from the compartment substantially stops. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for determining gas exchange between an isolated lung compartment and blood, said method comprising:
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occluding the lung compartment with a catheter which allows air to be expelled from the compartment but not to enter the compartment;
after air flow from the compartment through the catheter ceases, measuring gas pressure within the compartment, wherein a change in gas pressure is a measure of gas exchange in the lung compartment. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 21, 22)
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9. A method for determining directionality of collateral channels communicating with a lung compartment, said method comprising:
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isolating the lung compartment so that there is no flow in or out through the connecting airway; and
measuring pressure within the isolated lung compartment over a plurality of respiratory cycles;
wherein an increase in pressure indicates that the collateral channels have a higher resistance to outflow than inflow and wherein a decrease in pressure indicates that the collateral channels have a lower resistance to outflow than to inflow. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A method for assessing blood flow in a lung compartment, said method comprising:
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isolating the lung compartment;
injecting into systemic circulation a marker with low blood solubility that will be released into the lung;
measuring a first concentration of the marker in the lung compartment t and a second concentration of the marker in another part of the lung after systemic concentration of the marker has reached equilibrium; and
comprising the marker concentration in the compartment with the marker concentration in the other part of the lung, where a lower gas concentration indicates less blood perfusion. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method determining the compliance of a lung compartment, said method comprising:
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measuring a characteristic pressure-volume curve of an isolated lung compartment; and
determining compliance based on the slope of the measured characteristic pressure-volume curve. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for determining gas exchange.
Specification