EXTRAPLEURAL AIRWAY DEVICE AND METHOD
First Claim
1. An intra-thoracic method for treating a lung and bypassing one or more natural airways within a lung comprising:
- creating a first channel through a wall of said lung and creating a second channel through a wall of an extrapleural airway; and
fluidly connecting the first channel through the wall of said lung with said second channel through the wall of said extrapleural airway such that gas may pass directly out of the lung and into the extrapleural airway and wherein said extrapleural airway consists of an airway selected from the group consisting of the trachea and mainstem bronchus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This is directed to improving the gaseous exchange in a lung of an individual and particularly, this is directed to improving the gaseous exchange in individuals having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It generally includes fluidly connecting the lung to an extrapleural airway such as the trachea. In one variation, a conduit is deployed to place the lung and the trachea in fluid communication which allows trapped oxygen-reduced air to pass directly out of the lung and into the trachea. Removing nonfunctional air from the lung tends to improve the gaseous exchange of oxygen into the blood and decompress hyper-inflated lungs. Sealant and biocompatible adhesives may be provided on the exterior of the conduit to prevent side flow, leaks and to otherwise prevent air from entering spaces not intended to receive air such as the pleura space.
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Citations
45 Claims
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1. An intra-thoracic method for treating a lung and bypassing one or more natural airways within a lung comprising:
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creating a first channel through a wall of said lung and creating a second channel through a wall of an extrapleural airway; and fluidly connecting the first channel through the wall of said lung with said second channel through the wall of said extrapleural airway such that gas may pass directly out of the lung and into the extrapleural airway and wherein said extrapleural airway consists of an airway selected from the group consisting of the trachea and mainstem bronchus. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 44, 45)
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2. (canceled)
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3. (canceled)
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9. (canceled)
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10. (canceled)
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12-14. -14. (canceled)
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18. (canceled)
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19. (canceled)
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24.28. 28. (canceled)
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29. A method for altering gaseous flow in a lung having a pleural membrane comprising:
creating a channel through an extrapleural airway wall and the pleural membrane such that air may pass directly from the lung into the extrapleural airway. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
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30-32. -32. (canceled)
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36-43. -43. (canceled)
Specification