Occlusion device
First Claim
1. A method of treating an individual having an abnormal permanent enlargement of an airspace distal to a bronchial tube in a lung, said method comprising:
- providing a blocking element;
inserting a delivery tube through airways of the individual to the bronchial tube of the individual, wherein the delivery tube is loaded with the blocking element;
guiding the delivery tube to a suitable location within the bronchial tube; and
releasing the blocking element in the bronchial tube, wherein the blocking element prohibits air from flowing through the bronchial tube into the airspace as the patient inhales and isolates the airspace supplied by the bronchial tube so that the airspace deflates over time as the air in the airspace becomes absorbed.
10 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An obturator for a bronchial tube or tubule of a human or animal lung comprises a blocking element (92) and a securing element (90). The blocking element serves to seal the tube or tubule against the passage of fluid past the obturator when the obturator is disposed in a bronchial tube or tubule. The securing element serves to retain the blocking element in position. The blocking element comprises a substantially cylindrical plug of biocompatible, resiliently deformable closed-cell foamed plastics material, such as PVC. The securing element comprises a stent having barbs (98) to engage and retain the blocking element. The stent also has anchors (100) to retain the stent in a bronchial tube or tubule. A method of treatment of emphysema or other lung conditions or diseases in human or animal patients comprises placing an obturator in a bronchial tube or tubule of the patient so as to seal the tube or tubule against the passage of fluid past the obturator.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of treating an individual having an abnormal permanent enlargement of an airspace distal to a bronchial tube in a lung, said method comprising:
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providing a blocking element; inserting a delivery tube through airways of the individual to the bronchial tube of the individual, wherein the delivery tube is loaded with the blocking element; guiding the delivery tube to a suitable location within the bronchial tube; and releasing the blocking element in the bronchial tube, wherein the blocking element prohibits air from flowing through the bronchial tube into the airspace as the patient inhales and isolates the airspace supplied by the bronchial tube so that the airspace deflates over time as the air in the airspace becomes absorbed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of treating an individual having an abnormal permanent enlargement of an airspace distal to a bronchial tube in a lung, said method comprising:
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guiding a delivery tube to a suitable location within the bronchial tube of the individual; inserting a material from the delivery tube to the location in the bronchial tube so that the material prohibits air from flowing through the bronchial tube in both an inhalation direction and an exhalation direction; and releasing the material in the from the delivery tube in the bronchial tube so that air is trapped in the airspace distal to the terminal bronchiole and is absorbed over time. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification