APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR TREATING PULMONARY CONDITIONS
First Claim
1. An endotracheal apparatus for treating a pulmonary condition, said apparatus comprising:
- a stent member including first and second ends and a lumen extending between said ends, said lumen defining an inner surface opposite an outer surface; and
an electrode assembly operably coupled to said stent member, said electrode assembly comprising a flexible member having first and second end portions and oppositely disposed first and second surfaces, at least one electrode operably connected to a portion of at least one of said first or second surfaces, and an attachment mechanism for securing said at least one electrode to at least one of said first or second surfaces, said at least one electrode being adapted to selectively deliver electric current to the target site and effect a change in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) of the subject.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An endotracheal apparatus includes a stent member including first and second ends and a lumen extending between the ends. The lumen defines an inner surface opposite an outer surface. The apparatus also includes an electrode assembly operably coupled to the stent member. The electrode assembly includes a flexible member having first and second end portions and oppositely disposed first and second surfaces, at least one electrode is operably connected to a portion of at least one of the first or second surfaces, and an attachment mechanism for securing the at least one electrode to at least one of the first or second surfaces. The at least one electrode is adapted to selectively deliver electric current to the target site and effect a change in the autonomic nervous system of the subject.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. An endotracheal apparatus for treating a pulmonary condition, said apparatus comprising:
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a stent member including first and second ends and a lumen extending between said ends, said lumen defining an inner surface opposite an outer surface; and an electrode assembly operably coupled to said stent member, said electrode assembly comprising a flexible member having first and second end portions and oppositely disposed first and second surfaces, at least one electrode operably connected to a portion of at least one of said first or second surfaces, and an attachment mechanism for securing said at least one electrode to at least one of said first or second surfaces, said at least one electrode being adapted to selectively deliver electric current to the target site and effect a change in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) of the subject. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 27, 28)
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19. A method for treating a pulmonary condition in a subject, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a stent member and an electrode assembly operably coupled to the stent member, the stent member including first and second ends and a lumen extending between the ends, the lumen defining an inner surface opposite an outer surface, the electrode assembly comprising a flexible member, at least one electrode operably secured to the flexible member, and an attachment mechanism for securing the at least one electrode to the flexible member; implanting the endotracheal apparatus at a target site in the tracheo-bronchial tree of the subject, the target site being innervated by at least one nerve of the ANS; positioning the endotracheal device such that a portion of the at least one electrode is substantially adjacent the target site; and delivering electric current to the at least one electrode to effect a change in the ANS of the subject. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification