Methods and devices to induce controlled atelectasis and hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction
First Claim
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1. A method for treating a lung condition, said method comprising:
- implanting an air flow restrictor in an airway of the lung, wherein said restrictor allows a reduced bidirectional volumetric rate of air flow exchange between upstream of the restrictor and downstream of the restrictor through a tube that is integral to the restrictor, wherein the bidirectional volumetric rate of air flow is equal in both directions and wherein such air flow rate reduction induces at least one of controlled atelectasis and localized hypoxia in a treated region of the lung downstream of the restrictor.
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Abstract
Lung conditions are treated by implanting a flow restrictor in a passageway upstream from a diseased lung segment. The restrictor will create an orifice at the implantation site which inhibits air exchange with the segment to induce controlled atelectasis and/or hypoxia. Controlled atelectasis can induce collapse of the diseased segment with a reduced risk of pneumothorax. Hypoxia can promote gas exchange with non-isolated, healthy regions of the lung even in the absence of lung collapse.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for treating a lung condition, said method comprising:
- implanting an air flow restrictor in an airway of the lung, wherein said restrictor allows a reduced bidirectional volumetric rate of air flow exchange between upstream of the restrictor and downstream of the restrictor through a tube that is integral to the restrictor, wherein the bidirectional volumetric rate of air flow is equal in both directions and wherein such air flow rate reduction induces at least one of controlled atelectasis and localized hypoxia in a treated region of the lung downstream of the restrictor.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
- 16. A bronchial flow restrictor comprising a body having a continuously and constantly open tube that is integral to the body to permit equal bidirectional volumetric rate of air flow therethrough, wherein the body is adapted to be expanded and anchored within a lung airway for the control of air exchange with a downstream region of the lung, wherein the passage has dimensions selected to provide a reduced bidirectional volumetric flow rate which induces at least one of controlled atelectasis and localized hypoxia in a treated region beyond an anchored location in the airway.
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25. A system comprising:
- a bronchial flow restrictor having a body having a continuously and constantly open tube that is integral to the body to permit equal, reduced, bidirectional volumetric rate of air flow therethrough, wherein the body is adapted to be expanded and anchored within a lung airway for the control of air exchange with a downstream region of the lung; and
a delivery catheter adapted to deliver the bronchial flow restrictor in an airway of the lung. - View Dependent Claims (26)
- a bronchial flow restrictor having a body having a continuously and constantly open tube that is integral to the body to permit equal, reduced, bidirectional volumetric rate of air flow therethrough, wherein the body is adapted to be expanded and anchored within a lung airway for the control of air exchange with a downstream region of the lung; and
Specification