Methods and devices for use in performing pulmonary procedures
First Claim
1. A method for treating a patient'"'"'s lung, the method comprising steps of:
- (a) providing a flow control element which allows fluid flow in a first direction and limits fluid flow in a second direction, wherein the providing step is carried out by providing a valve configured to pump fluid in the first direction, the valve having a proximal valve portion, a distal valve portion, and a pumping chamber positioned between the proximal and distal valve portions;
(b) positioning the flow control element at a desired location in a lung of a patient with the first direction corresponding to an exhalation direction and the second direction corresponding to an inhalation direction.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems, methods and devices for performing pulmonary procedures, and in particular treating lung disease. A flow control element includes a valve that prevents airflow in the inhalation direction but permits airflow in the exhalation direction. The flow control element is guided to and positioned at the site by a bronchoscope that is introduced into the patient'"'"'s trachea and used to view the lungs during delivery of the flow control element. The valve may include one, two or more valve elements, and it may be collapsible for easier delivery. A source of vacuum or suction may be used to increase the amount of fluid withdrawn from the lung tissue. A device for measuring hollow structures, such as bronchioles, and a device for removing a previously-placed flow control element are disclosed as well.
568 Citations
77 Claims
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1. A method for treating a patient'"'"'s lung, the method comprising steps of:
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(a) providing a flow control element which allows fluid flow in a first direction and limits fluid flow in a second direction, wherein the providing step is carried out by providing a valve configured to pump fluid in the first direction, the valve having a proximal valve portion, a distal valve portion, and a pumping chamber positioned between the proximal and distal valve portions;
(b) positioning the flow control element at a desired location in a lung of a patient with the first direction corresponding to an exhalation direction and the second direction corresponding to an inhalation direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for treating a patient'"'"'s lung, the method comprising steps of:
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(a) providing a flow control element which limits fluid flow in at least one direction;
(b) positioning the flow control element at a location in a lung of a patient with the one direction substantially corresponding to an inhalation direction; and
(c) removing the flow control element. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for treating a patient'"'"'s lung, the system comprising:
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a measuring device for determining the approximate size of a hollow structure in a patient'"'"'s lung, wherein the measuring device has a flexible shaft and at least one flexible measuring element that is moved into contact with the hollow structure; and
a flow control element sized and configured to be positioned in a hollow structure located in a patient'"'"'s lung, wherein the flow control element allows fluid flow in a first direction and controls fluid flow in a second direction. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A system for treating a patient'"'"'s lung, the system comprising:
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a flow control element sized and configured to be positioned in a hollow structure located in a patient'"'"'s lung, wherein the flow control element allows fluid flow in a first direction and controls fluid flow in a second direction; and
a removal device for removing the flow control element from the hollow structure subsequent to positioning the flow control element in the hollow structure. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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26. A method for treating a patient'"'"'s lung, the method comprising steps of:
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providing a flow control element which restricts fluid flow in at least a first direction, the flow control element being releasably coupled to a delivery device, wherein the delivery device has a sheath;
placing an introducer in a bronchial passageway of a patient'"'"'s lung;
inserting a bronchial access device through the introducer, the bronchial access device having a first channel and a second channel;
positioning the delivery device in the second channel; and
deploying the flow control element at the treatment site, the deploying step comprising moving the sheath relative to the flow control element. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A method for treating a patient'"'"'s lung, the method comprising steps of:
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providing a flow control element which restricts fluid flow in at least a first direction, the flow control element being releasably coupled to a delivery device;
placing an introducer in a bronchial passageway of a patient'"'"'s lung;
inserting a bronchial access device through the introducer, the bronchial access device having a first channel and a second channel;
positioning the delivery device in the second channel; and
deploying the flow control element at the treatment site. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62)
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63. A method for treating a patient'"'"'s lung, the method comprising steps of:
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providing a flow control element which restricts fluid flow in at least a first direction, the flow control element being releasably coupled to a delivery device;
inserting a bronchial access device in a bronchial passageway of a patient'"'"'s lung, the bronchial access device having a first channel and a second channel;
positioning the delivery device in the second channel;
deploying the flow control element at the treatment site;
prior to carrying out the deploying step, determining the approximate size of the treatment site using a measuring device, wherein the measuring device is introduced through the second channel; and
selecting an appropriately sized flow control element based at least in part on the determined size of the treatment site. - View Dependent Claims (64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77)
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Specification