Methods and devices for use in performing pulmonary procedures

• US 8,357,139 B2
• Filed: 11/04/2008
• Issued: 01/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pulmonx Corp.
• Original Assignee: Pulmonx Corp.
• Inventors: Deem, Mark E., Gifford, Hanson S. III, French, Ronald, Sutton, Douglas
• Primary Examiner(s): SHUMATE, VICTORIA PEARL
• Application Number:
  US12/264,849
• Publication Number:
  US 20090114226A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,540 Days
• Field of Search: 138/45, 138/46, 128/200.26, 12820714-20716, 128/912, 623/9, 600/104, 600/154, 600/159, 606/41, 606/108, 606/213, 604/500, 604/514
• US Class Current: 604/514
• 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 17/12104 in an air passage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12131 characterised by the type of occluding device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12172 having a pre-set deployed three-dimensional shape methods of manufacturing A61B2017/00526
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/221 Gripping devices in the form of loops or baskets for gripping calculi or similar types of obstructions surgical snare instruments A61B17/32056
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1205 Introduction devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2215 having an open distal end
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/061 for measuring dimensions, e.g. length
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/04 Hollow or tubular parts of organs, e.g. bladders, tracheae, bronchi or bile ducts A61F2/18, A61F2/20 take precedence; devices, other than stent-grafts, providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body other than stent-grafts, e.g. stents A61F2/82; instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts A61F2/95
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2403 with pivoting rigid closure members check valves with hinged closure members in general F16K15/03
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2412 with soft flexible valve members, e.g. tissue valves shaped like natural valves check valves with flexible valve members in general F16K15/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2418 Scaffolds therefor, e.g. support stents
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2476 Valves implantable in the body not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/91 made from perforated sheet material or tubes, e.g. perforated by laser cuts or etched holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/043 Bronchi
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0008 Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0016 with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/005 using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 1/00 Drugs for disorders of the alimentary tract or the digestive system
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 11/00 Drugs for disorders of the respiratory system
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/147 : the closure elements having specially formed slits or being of an elongated easily collapsible form
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/912 : Connections and closures for tubes delivering fluids to or from the body

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.

Claims

1. A method for treating a diseased portion of a lung in a patient, the method comprising:

measuring a lung passageway leading to the diseased portion of the lung;

introducing a therapeutic substance into the diseased portion of the lung, wherein the therapeutic substance is capable of repairing lung tissue; and

delivering an implantable flow control element to an airway of the patient'"'"'s respiratory system leading to the diseased portion of the lung to reduce fluid flow out of the diseased portion.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the therapeutic substance is introduced into the portion of the lung via a bronchoscope.

3. A method as in claim 2, wherein the substance is introduced and the implantable flow control element is delivered via a working channel in the bronchoscope.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein the introduced therapeutic substance is selected from the group consisting of an anti-angiogenesis factor, an antibiotic, an anti-inflammatory agent, a sclerosing agent, an agent that absorbs fluid and a sealing substance.

5. A method as in claim 1, wherein the implantable flow control element restricts fluid flow in a first, inhalation direction and reduces fluid flow in a second, exhalation direction.