METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENDOBRONCHIAL DIAGNOSIS
First Claim
1. A pulmonary diagnostic system comprising:
- at least one pressure sensor which generates pressure measurement data reflecting the pressure within a lung compartment;
at least one flow sensor which generates flow measurement data reflecting flow to or from the lung compartment;
a physiological testing unit comprisinga source of fluid or gas,means for generating flow of the fluid or gas,means for receiving the pressure and flow measurement data from the sensors, andmeans for processing the pressure and flow measurement data;
a data receiving component which receives the processed pressure and flow measurement data; and
an endobronchial pulmonary diagnostic device connectable with the physiological testing unit, the measuring component and a pulmonary catheter which is configured for accessing the lung compartment, the device comprisingmeans for transferring the fluid or gas to or from the lung compartment, andmeans for controlling the generation of flow and the receiving of pressure and flow measurement data by the physiological testing unit and the receiving of processed pressure and flow measurement data by the measuring component.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides systems, methods, devices and kits for assessing the level of pulmonary disease in individual lung compartments. A lung compartment comprises a subportion of a lung, such as a lobe, a segment or a subsegment, for example. By measuring individual lung compartments, the level of disease of the pulmonary system may be more precisely defined by determining values of disease parameters reflective of individual subportions or compartments of a lung. Likewise, compartments may be separately imaged to provide further measurement information. Once individual compartments are characterized, they may be compared and ranked based on a number of variables reflecting, for example, level of disease or need for treatment. Such comparison may be aided by simultaneous display of such variables or images on a visual display. Further, the same tests may be performed on the lung as a whole or on both lungs and to determine the affect of the diseased lung compartments on the overall lung performance. In addition, the diseased lung compartments may be temporarily isolated and the measurement tests performed to determine the affect of the isolation on overall lung performance. As a result, the most beneficial treatment options may be selected.
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Citations
47 Claims
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1. A pulmonary diagnostic system comprising:
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at least one pressure sensor which generates pressure measurement data reflecting the pressure within a lung compartment; at least one flow sensor which generates flow measurement data reflecting flow to or from the lung compartment; a physiological testing unit comprising a source of fluid or gas, means for generating flow of the fluid or gas, means for receiving the pressure and flow measurement data from the sensors, and means for processing the pressure and flow measurement data; a data receiving component which receives the processed pressure and flow measurement data; and an endobronchial pulmonary diagnostic device connectable with the physiological testing unit, the measuring component and a pulmonary catheter which is configured for accessing the lung compartment, the device comprising means for transferring the fluid or gas to or from the lung compartment, and means for controlling the generation of flow and the receiving of pressure and flow measurement data by the physiological testing unit and the receiving of processed pressure and flow measurement data by the measuring component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A pulmonary diagnostic system comprising:
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a pulmonary catheter configured for accessing a lung compartment through a lung passageway; at least one velocity sensor disposed near the tip of the catheter which generates air velocity measurement data characterizing the lung compartment; an endobronchial pulmonary diagnostic device connectable with the catheter comprising means for receiving the measurement data from the sensor, and means for processing the measurement data; and at least one data receiving component which receives the processed data.
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18. A pulmonary diagnostic system comprising:
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a pulmonary catheter configured for accessing a lung compartment through a lung passageway; at least one signal emitting sensor disposed on the catheter; at least one receiver positionable on the exterior of a body which receives the signal emitted from the sensor to generate resistivity measurement data; an endobronchial pulmonary diagnostic device connectable with the catheter and the receiver comprising means for receiving the measurement data from the receiver, and means for processing the measurement data; and at least one data receiving component which receives the processed data. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A pulmonary diagnostic system comprising:
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a pulmonary catheter configured for accessing a lung compartment through a lung passageway; at least one signal emitting sensor disposed on the catheter; a mapping unit connectable with the device comprising means for receiving the signal from the sensor, and means for processing the signal; at least one data receiving component which receives the processed signal; and an endobronchial pulmonary diagnostic device connectable with the catheter, the mapping unit and the data receiving component comprising means for controlling the receiving of the processed signal by the data receiving component. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. A method for assessment of a lung compartment comprising the steps of:
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providing a pulmonary diagnostic system comprising an endobronchial pulmonary diagnostic device and at least one measuring component connected with the device; connecting a pulmonary catheter to the device, said catheter having a proximal end and a distal end; introducing the distal end of the catheter to a compartment of a lung; and generating measurement data characterizing the compartment of the lung with the pulmonary diagnostic system. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method for assessment of a lung comprising the steps of:
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providing a pulmonary diagnostic system comprising an endobronchial pulmonary diagnostic device and at least one measuring component connected with the device; connecting a blockage catheter to the device, said catheter having a proximal end and a distal end; introducing the distal end of the blockage catheter to a target compartment of the lung and isolating the target compartment; and generating measurement data characterizing the lung having the isolated target compartment with the pulmonary diagnostic system. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A kit comprising:
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a pulmonary diagnostic system comprising an endobronchial pulmonary diagnostic device and at least one measuring component connected with the device; and instructions for use setting forth methods including the steps of; connecting a pulmonary catheter to the device, said catheter having a proximal end and a distal end; introducing the distal end of the catheter to a compartment of a lung; and gathering measurement data characterizing the compartment of the lung with the use of the pulmonary diagnostic system. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47)
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Specification