LUNG REDUCTION SYSTEM

• US 20070270776A1
• Filed: 08/06/2007
• Published: 11/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Portaero, Inc
• Original Assignee: Respira, Inc.
• Inventors: Tanaka, Don
• Granted Patent: US 7,896,008 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/506
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/043 Bronchi
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/04 Tracheal tubes catheters in general A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0406 implanted flow modifiers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/101 using an oxygen concentrator
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/106 in a path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0007 introduced into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/03 Gases in liquid phase, e.g. cryogenic liquids
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0244 Micromachined materials, e.g. made from silicon wafers, microelectromechanical systems [MEMS] or comprising nanotechnology
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1039 Lungs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0247 Semi-permanent or permanent transcutaneous or percutaneous access sites to the inside of the body peritoneal dialysis catheters A61M1/285; tracheostomy devices A61M16/0465; measuring pressure within the body A61B5/03; colostomy devices A61F5/445; gastrotomy feeding tubes A61J15/0015; means for fixing a feeding tube outside of the body A61J15/0053

Abstract

A long term oxygen therapy system having an oxygen supply directly linked with a patient'"'"'s lung or lungs may be utilized to more efficiently treat hypoxia caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The system includes an oxygen source, one or more valves and fluid carrying conduits. The fluid carrying conduits link the oxygen source to diseased sites within the patients lungs. A collateral ventilation bypass trap system directly linked with a patient'"'"'s lung or lungs may be utilized to increase the expiratory flow from the diseased lung or lungs, thereby treating another aspect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The system includes a trap, a filter/one-way valve and an air carrying conduit. In various embodiments, the system may be intrathoracic, extrathoracic or a combination thereof. A pulmonary decompression device may also be utilized to remove trapped air in the lung or lungs, thereby reducing the volume of diseased lung tissue. A lung reduction device may passively decompress the lung or lungs. In order for the system to be effective, an airtight seal between the parietal and visceral pleurae is required. Chemical pleurodesis is utilized for creating the seal.

Claims

1. A method for reducing the volume of a hyperinflated portion of a lung of a patient comprising:

determining a site of hyprinflation in a patient'"'"'s lung;

allowing air from the hyperinflated portion of the lung to vent through a device to the ambient environment; and

wherein the allowing step includes;

a. positioning a sealing device to establish an airtight seal between at least one first implantable member and the lung; and

b. positioning the at least the one first implantable member in fluid communication, at the predetermined site, within a lung of a patient, the at least one implantable member passing through a lung via a passage created therethrough; and

c. positioning a second member connected to the at least one first implantable member, the second member being secured external of the lung.

2. A method for reducing the volume of a hyperinflated portion of a lung of a patent comprising:

determining a site of hyperinflation in a patient'"'"'s lung;

allowing air from the hyperinflated portion of the lung to vent through a device to the ambient environment; and

wherein the allowing step includes;

a. positioning a first sealing device to establish an airtight seal between at least one first member and the lung;

b. positioning the at least one first implantable member in fluid communication, at the predetermined site, within a lung of a patient, the at least one implantable member passing through a lung via a passage created therethrough;

C. positioning a second member connected to and in fluid communication with the at least one first implantable member, the second member allows air from the lung of the patient to vent to the ambient environment, the second member positioned external of the body of the patient; and

d. positioning a second sealing device to seal the second member to the body.