Lung reduction device, system, and method
First Claim
1. A bronchial sub-branch obstruction device for reducing the size of a lung comprising an obstructing member dimensioned for insertion into a bronchial sub-branch communicating with a portion of the lung to be reduced in size, the obstructing member having an outer dimension which is so dimensioned as to make continuous contact with an inner dimension of the bronchial sub-branch to seal the bronchial sub-branch upon placement in the bronchial sub-branch, to preclude normal function of the lung portion, and to collapse the portion of the lung for reducing the size of the lung, wherein the obstructing member is a one-way valve to permit exhaled air to flow from the lung portion while precluding inhaled air from flowing into the lung portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device, system, and method provides for lung size reduction by permanently collapsing at least a portion of a lung. The lung portion may be collapsed by obstructing the air passageway which communicates the lung portion to be collapsed. The air passageway may be obstructed by an obstructing member which precludes airflow in either direction or with a one-way valve which permits air to be exhaled from the lung portion while precluding air from being inhaled into the lung portion. In addition, a vacuum may be pulled within the lung portion to be collapsed for collapsing the lung portion and while the lung portion is collapsed the obstructing member may be placed in the air passageway to maintain the lung portion in a permanently collapsed state.
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Citations
23 Claims
- 1. A bronchial sub-branch obstruction device for reducing the size of a lung comprising an obstructing member dimensioned for insertion into a bronchial sub-branch communicating with a portion of the lung to be reduced in size, the obstructing member having an outer dimension which is so dimensioned as to make continuous contact with an inner dimension of the bronchial sub-branch to seal the bronchial sub-branch upon placement in the bronchial sub-branch, to preclude normal function of the lung portion, and to collapse the portion of the lung for reducing the size of the lung, wherein the obstructing member is a one-way valve to permit exhaled air to flow from the lung portion while precluding inhaled air from flowing into the lung portion.
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9. A bronchial sub-branch obstruction system for reducing the size of a lung comprising:
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a conduit configured to be passed down a trachea, into a bronchus communicating with the trachea, and into a bronchial sub-branch communicating the bronchus with a lung portion to be reduced in size; and
an obstructing member so dimensioned as to be guidable through the conduit and placed in the bronchial sub-branch to seal the bronchial sub-branch, to preclude normal function of the lung portion, and to collapse the lung portion, wherein the obstructing member is a one-way valve to permit exhaled air to flow from the lung portion while precluding inhaled air from flowing into the lung portion. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for reducing the size of a lung comprising:
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a conduit configured to be passed down a trachea, into a bronchus communicating with the trachea, and into an air passageway communicating the bronchus with a lung portion to be reduced in size;
an obstructing member configured to be guided through the conduit into the air passageway for placement in the air passageway and sealing the air passageway for collapsing the lung portion; and
a vacuum source for pulling a vacuum in the lung portion prior to placement of the obstructing member. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A bronchial sub-branch obstruction device for reducing the size of a lung comprising an obstructing member dimensioned for insertion into a bronchial sub-branch communicating with a portion of the lung to be reduced in size, the obstructing member having an outer dimension which is so dimensioned as to make continuous contact with an inner dimension of the bronchial sub-branch to seal the bronchial sub-branch upon placement in the bronchial sub-branch to preclude air from being exhaled from the lung portion and inhaled into the lung portion for collapsing the portion of the lung and reducing the size of the lung, wherein the obstructing member is a one-way valve to permit exhaled air to flow from the lung portion while precluding inhaled air from flowing into the lung portion.
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23. A bronchial sub-branch obstruction system for reducing the size of a lung comprising:
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a conduit configured to be passed down a trachea, into a bronchus communicating with the trachea, and into a bronchial sub-branch communicating the bronchus with a lung portion to be reduced in size; and
an obstructing member so dimensioned as to be guidable through the conduit and placed in the bronchial sub-branch to seal the bronchial sub-branch to preclude air from being exhaled from the lung portion and inhaled into the lung portion and to collapse the lung portion, wherein the obstructing member is a one-way valve to permit exhaled air to flow from the lung portion while precluding inhaled air from flowing into the lung portion.
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Specification