Methods, systems, and kits for lung volume reduction

• US 6,709,401 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2001
• Issued: 03/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pulmonx Corp.
• Original Assignee: Pulmonx Pulmonx
• Inventors: Kotmel, Robert, Soltesz, Peter P., Perkins, Rodney A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasser, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US09/898,703
• Publication Number:
  US 20010056274A1
• Time in Patent Office: 995 Days
• Field of Search: 128/529, 128/532, 128/207.15, 128/207.14, 604/28, 604/35, 604/43, 604/509, 604/516
• US Class Current: 600/529
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00165 with light-conductive means, e.g. fibre optics A61B1/07 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/005 Flexible endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2676 Bronchoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00491 Surgical glue applicators surgical adhesives A61L24/00; two-component delivery syringes A61M5/19
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12022 Occluding by internal devices, e.g. balloons or releasable wires plugging an opening in the wall of an organ A61B17/0057; occluders for the cervical canal A61F6/146; vas deferens occluders A61F6/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12045 double occlusion, e.g. during anastomosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12104 in an air passage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12136 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12159 Solid plugs; being solid before insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12186 liquid materials adapted to be injected
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1219 expandable in contact with liquids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00535 pneumatically or hydraulically operated A61B2017/22051, A61B2090/401 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1205 Introduction devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/30 Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments for wound clamps A61B17/10; for ligaturing clips A61B17/122; packages or dispensers for surgical gloves or finger-stalls A61B42/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/04 Tracheal tubes catheters in general A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0404 with means for selective or partial lung respiration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0418 with integrated means for changing the degree of curvature, e.g. for easy intubation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0459 : one cuff behind another
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0486 : Multi-lumen tracheal tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 : pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0413 : with detectors of CO2 in exhaled gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1052 : for temporarily occluding a vessel for isolating a sector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/058 : with ultrasound therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/06 : Packaging for specific medical equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1039 : Lungs

Abstract

Lung volume reduction is performed in a minimally invasive manner by isolating a lung tissue segment, optionally reducing gas flow obstructions within the segment, and aspirating the segment to cause the segment to at least partially collapse. Further optionally, external pressure may be applied on the segment to assist in complete collapse. Reduction of gas flow obstructions may be achieved in a variety of ways, including over inflation of the lung, introduction of mucolytic or dilation agents, application of vibrational energy, induction of absorption atelectasis, or the like. Optionally, diagnostic procedures on the isolated lung segment may be performed, typically using the same isolation/access catheter.

Claims

1. A method for lung volume reduction, said method comprising:

isolating a lung tissue segment;

determining a disease-related parameter within the isolated segment; and

aspirating the isolated segment if it is determined that the segment is diseased.

2. A method as in claim 1, where determining a disease-related parameter comprises measuring air flow into the lung tissue segment.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein determining a disease-related parameter comprises measuring carbon dioxide concentration in the lung tissue segment.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein determining a disease-related parameter comprises measuring forced expiratory volume of the lung tissue segment.

5. A method as in claim 1, wherein determining a disease-related parameter comprises measuring pressure within the lung tissue segment.

6. A method as in claim 1, wherein isolating the lung tissue segment comprises positioning a catheter in an air passage leading to the lung tissue segment and inflating a balloon on the catheter to occlude the air passage.

7. A method as in claim 6, wherein aspirating comprises drawing gas from the isolated lung segment through a lumen in the catheter while the balloon remains inflated.

8. A method as in claim 1, further comprising sealing an air passage which opens to the lung tissue segment to inhibit reinflation of the segment.

9. A method as in claim 8, wherein sealing comprises deploying a plug in the air passage.

10. A method as in claim 9, wherein the plug is swellable and absorbs water to swell within the air passage when deployed.

11. A method as in claim 10, wherein the plug comprises a collagen hydrogel which is not fully hydrated prior to deployment.

12. A method in claim 1, wherein determining a disease-related parameter comprises measuring the compliance or pressure/volume curve of a lung tissue segment.