METHODS AND DEVICES FOR PASSIVE RESIDUAL LUNG VOLUME REDUCTION AND FUNCTIONAL LUNG VOLUME EXPANSION
First Claim
1. A method for reducing the residual volume of a hyperinflated lung compartment, said method comprising:
- sealing a distal end of a catheter in an airway feeding the lung compartment;
allowing air to be expelled from the lung compartment through a passage in the catheter while the patient is exhaling; and
blocking air from entering the lung compartment through the catheter passage while the patient is inhaling.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The volume of a hyperinflated lung compartment is reduced by sealing a distal end of the catheter in an airway feeding the lung compartment. Air passes out of the lung compartment through a passage in the catheter while the patient exhales. A one-way flow element associated with the catheter prevents air from re-entering the lung compartment as the patient inhales. Over time, the pressure of regions surrounding the lung compartment cause it to collapse as the volume of air diminishes. Residual volume reduction effectively results in functional lung volume expansion. Optionally, the lung compartment may be sealed in order to permanently prevent air from re-entering the lung compartment. The invention further discloses a catheter with a transparent occlusion element at its tip that enables examination of the lung passageway through a viewing scope.
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Citations
46 Claims
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1. A method for reducing the residual volume of a hyperinflated lung compartment, said method comprising:
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sealing a distal end of a catheter in an airway feeding the lung compartment; allowing air to be expelled from the lung compartment through a passage in the catheter while the patient is exhaling; and blocking air from entering the lung compartment through the catheter passage while the patient is inhaling. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A catheter for isolating and deflating a hyperinflated lung compartment, said catheter comprising:
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a catheter body having a distal end, a proximal end, and at least one lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end, wherein at least a distal portion of the catheter body is adapted to be advanced through the airways of the lung; an expandable occluding member disposed near a distal end of the catheter body, wherein said occluding member is adapted to be expanded in an airway which feeds the hyperinflated lung compartment such that access to the compartment is provided only through the lumen when the occluding member is expanded; and a one-way flow element adapted to be disposed within or in-line with the lumen so that flow in a distal-to-proximal direction is allowed and flow in a proximal-to-distal direction is inhibited or prevented. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A catheter for isolating and deflating a hyperinflated lung compartment, said catheter comprising:
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a catheter body having a distal end, a proximal end, and at least one lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end, wherein at least a distal portion of the catheter body is adapted to be advanced through the airways of the lung; and an expandable occluding member disposed near a distal end of the catheter body, wherein said occluding member is adapted to be expanded in an airway which feeds the hyperinflated lung compartment such that access to the compartment is provided only through the lumen when the occluding member is expanded; wherein the catheter is configured to connect to a console comprising a one-way flow control assembly in-line with the lumen so that flow in a distal-to-proximal direction is allowed and flow in a proximal-to-distal direction is inhibited or prevented. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A device for isolating and deflating a hyperinflated lung compartment, comprising:
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an air channel configured to connect with a proximal end of a catheter; and a one-way flow control assembly configured to be in-line with a lumen of the catheter and allow flow through the lumen in a distal-to-proximal direction and inhibit or prevent flow in the lumen in a proximal-to-distal direction. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A method of manufacturing a catheter, comprising:
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providing a catheter with a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen there between; providing an occluding member with a first end and a second end; attaching the first end of the occluding member to the inner surface of the lumen at the distal end of the catheter; and inverting the occluding member and attaching the second end of the occluding member to an outer portion of the catheter at a point proximal to the distal end. - View Dependent Claims (42)
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43. A diagnostic catheter comprising:
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a catheter body having a distal end, a proximal end, and at least one lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end, wherein at least a distal portion of the catheter body is adapted to be advanced through the airways of the lung; a transparent expandable member disposed near the distal end of the catheter body, wherein the expandable member is adapted to be expanded in an airway leading to a lung compartment.
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44. A method for diagnosing or treating a lung compartment, said method comprising:
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introducing a catheter into an airway feeding the lung compartment, wherein the catheter comprises a distal end, a proximal end, and at least one lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end, wherein the distal end comprises a transparent expandable member; viewing the airway through the transparent expandable member; and performing a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure on the lung. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46)
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Specification