One-way valve devices for anchored implantation in a lung

• US 20050033344A1
• Filed: 09/03/2004
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc. (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Clifton A. Alferness, David H. Dillard, Dean T. Corcoran, Hugo Gonzalez, Jenni Rimbaugh, Lauri J. Devore, Mia Park, Yi Seung
• Inventors: Park, Mia, Yi, Seung, Rimbaugh, Jenni, DeVore, Lauri J., Corcoran, Dean T., Alferness, Clifton A., Dillard, David H., Gonzalez, Hugo X.
• Granted Patent: US 7,875,048 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/191
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12104 in an air passage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12172 having a pre-set deployed three-dimensional shape methods of manufacturing A61B2017/00526
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00809 Lung operations
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2476 Valves implantable in the body not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/043 Bronchi

Abstract

An intra-bronchial device placed and anchored in an air passageway of a patient to collapse a lung portion associated with the air passageway. The device includes a support structure, an obstructing member carried by the support structure that reduces ventilation to the lung portion by preventing air from being inhaled into the lung portion, and at least one anchor carried by the support structure that anchors the obstruction device within the air passageway. The anchor may engage the air passageway wall by piercing or friction, include a stop dimensioned for limiting the piercing of the air passageway wall, and may be releasable from the air passageway for removal of the intra-bronchial device. The anchors may be carried by a peripheral portion of the support structure, or by a central portion of the support structure. The obstructing member may be a one-way valve.

Claims

1. An intra-bronchial device for placement in an air passageway of a patient, the device comprising:

a support structure comprising a plurality of support members extending from an attachment portion and terminating at free ends;

a flexible and air-impermeable membrane carried by the support structure; and

at least one anchor carried by the support structure that is configured to anchor the intra-bronchial device within the air passageway when the anchor is deployed;

wherein the device is configured to permit air to flow in a first direction while preventing air flow past the device in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the member obstructs air from being inhaled through the air passageway into a lung portion associated with the air passageway.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one anchor is configured to be released from the air passageway for removal of the intra-bronchial device.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one anchor is configured to be released from the air passageway when the support structure is moved proximally.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the support structure is configured to urge at least one anchor to engage the air passageway wall.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the support structure includes a central portion arranged for engaging a removal device.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the support structure is arranged such that drawing a central portion of the support structure proximally releases the at least one anchor without substantially skewing the intra-bronchial device in the air passageway.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to permit air to flow in the first direction only along a path between the air-impermeable member and an air passageway wall.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the support members are configured to be radially collapsed and to return to an expanded shape upon release of a radial restraint.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one anchor member attached to the frame and configured to retain the device against migration in an airway.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the support members are made of a material with a substantially rectangular cross-section.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the free ends of the support members are bent radially inwards.

13. An intra-bronchial device comprising:

a support structure comprising a plurality of support members extending in a curvilinear manner from an attachment;

a flexible membrane carried by the support structure to form a substantially umbrella-shaped structure configured to be implanted in an air passageway to prevent air from flowing in a first direction past the device, while allowing fluid to travel past the obstructing member in an opposite direction.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the at least one anchor comprises an elongate member extending radially and axially from a portion of the support structure.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein the membrane assumes a substantially parabolic shape in an expanded position.

16. The device of claim 13, wherein the support members comprise tips at their free ends that are angled radially inwards.

17. The device of claim 13, wherein the support members are configured to be radially collapsed and to return to an expanded shape upon release of a radial restraint.