SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTION AND REPAIR OF PULMONARY AIR LEAKS

• US 20070251532A1
• Filed: 04/20/2007
• Published: 11/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joseph S. Friedberg
• Original Assignee: Joseph S. Friedberg
• Inventors: Friedberg, Joseph S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,181,643 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/898
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00491 Surgical glue applicators surgical adhesives A61L24/00; two-component delivery syringes A61M5/19
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0057 Implements for plugging an opening in the wall of a hollow or tubular organ, e.g. for sealing a vessel puncture or closing a cardiac septal defect sutures A61B17/04; closing rectum or urethra near body surface A61F2/0009
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00641 for closing fistulae, e.g. anorectal fistulae
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/08 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/415 the glands, e.g. tonsils, adenoids or thymus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/418 lymph vessels, ducts or nodes

Abstract

A method for repairing pulmonary air leaks in a lung residing in a chest cavity and having an intake air stream and an outer surface is disclosed. An exemplary method comprises: introducing a first component of a biphasic sealant component as a liquid into the intake air stream of the damaged lung; ensuring that there is a pressure differential between the intake air stream and the outer surface of the lung; and introducing a second component of a biphasic sealant component into the chest cavity. The first sealant component collects at the air leak site and forms a sealant in combination with the second sealant component.

Claims

1. A method for identifying pulmonary air leaks in a lung having an intake air stream and an outer surface comprising:

introducing a tracer liquid into the intake air stream;

ensuring that there is a pressure differential between the intake air stream and the outer surface of the lung;

detecting the tracer liquid on the outer surface of the lung.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the tracer liquid is nebulized.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the nebulized tracer liquid has a particle size of approximately 1 micron.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the nebulized tracer liquid is methylene blue.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein the nebulized tracer liquid can be detected on an xray.

6. The method of claim 3 wherein the nebulized tracer liquid can be detected by magnetic resonance imaging.

7. A method for repairing pulmonary air leaks in a lung residing in a chest cavity and having an intake air stream and an outer surface comprising:

introducing a first biphasic sealant component as a liquid into the intake air stream;

ensuring that there is a pressure differential between the intake air stream and the outer surface of the lung;

introducing a second biphasic sealant component into the chest cavity.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the first biphasic sealant component is nebulized and has a particle size of approximately 1 micron.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the first and second biphasic sealant components form fibrin glue when combined.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the first biphasic sealant is PLGA and the second biphasic sealant is gelatin.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein said second biphasic sealant component is introduced into the chest cavity by a tube.

12. A system for repairing pulmonary air leaks in a lung residing in a chest cavity and having an intake air stream and an outer surface comprising:

a selectively curable sealant capable of being introduced into the lung by inhalation; and

means for ensuring a pressure differential between the intake air stream and the outer surface of the lung.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the selectively curable sealant is a biphasic sealant and further comprising:

a second sealant component; and

means for introducing said second sealant component to the outer surface of the lung.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the selectively curable sealant has a particle size of approximately 1 micron.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein said means for introducing said second sealant component include a tube inserted into the chest cavity.

16. The system of claim 12 wherein said selectively curable sealant is cured by light and further comprising:

means for introducing light to the outer surface of the lung.

17. A system for repairing pulmonary air leaks in a lung residing in a chest cavity and having an intake air stream and an outer surface comprising:

a first biphasic sealant component capable of being introduced as a liquid into the intake air stream; and

a second biphasic sealant component capable of being introduced into the chest cavity.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the first biphasic sealant component is PLGA and the second biphasic sealant component is gelatin.

19. A system for repairing pulmonary air leaks in a lung residing in a chest cavity and having an intake air stream and an outer surface comprising:

a sealant capable of being introduced as a liquid into the intake air stream, particles of said sealant being of a suitable size to pass through all lung airways.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein said sealant is hydroscopic.