Devices for maintaining patency of surgically created channels in tissue
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for treating a lung, the method comprising:
- selecting a treatment site in an airway of the lung;
creating a hole in an airway wall of the airway by inserting a piercing member into the airway wall;
removing the piercing member from the airway wall;
locating the hole with a balloon catheter by probing the airway wall with a guide body on the balloon catheter, where the guide body has a rounded front surface to locate the hole without dragging on the airway tissue;
inserting the guide body into the hole, where the guide body includes a resistance surface located proximal to the rounded front surface;
temporarily anchoring the balloon catheter in the hole using the resistance surface of the guide body; and
expanding the hole in the airway wall with the balloon catheter.
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Abstract
Devices and methods for altering gaseous flow within a lung to improve the expiration cycle of an individual, particularly individuals having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The methods and devices create channels in lung tissue and maintain the patency of these surgically created channels in tissue. Maintaining the patency of the channels allows air to pass directly out of the lung tissue which facilitates the exchange of oxygen ultimately into the blood and/or decompresses hyper-inflated lungs.
347 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for treating a lung, the method comprising:
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selecting a treatment site in an airway of the lung; creating a hole in an airway wall of the airway by inserting a piercing member into the airway wall; removing the piercing member from the airway wall; locating the hole with a balloon catheter by probing the airway wall with a guide body on the balloon catheter, where the guide body has a rounded front surface to locate the hole without dragging on the airway tissue; inserting the guide body into the hole, where the guide body includes a resistance surface located proximal to the rounded front surface; temporarily anchoring the balloon catheter in the hole using the resistance surface of the guide body; and expanding the hole in the airway wall with the balloon catheter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for treating a lung, the method comprising:
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selecting a treatment site in an airway of the lung; detecting the presence or absence of a blood vessel near the treatment site to avoid the blood vessel; creating a hole in an airway wall of the airway by inserting a piercing member into the airway wall; locating the hole with a balloon catheter by probing the airway wall with a guide body on the balloon catheter, where the guide body has a rounded front surface to locate the hole without dragging on the airway tissue; inserting the guide body into the hole, where the guide body includes a resistance surface located proximal to the rounded front surface; temporarily anchoring the balloon catheter in the hole using the resistance surface of the guide body; and expanding the hole in the airway wall with the balloon catheter.
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Specification