Implanted bronchial isolation device delivery devices and methods

• US 20060030863A1
• Filed: 07/20/2005
• Published: 02/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pulmonx Pulmonx
• Original Assignee: Pulmonx Pulmonx
• Inventors: Fields, Antony J., Rapacki, Alan R., McCutcheon, John
• Application Number:
  US11/186,293
• Publication Number:
  US 20060030863A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/108
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0058 using shape-memory elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2676 Bronchoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12104 in an air passage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00292 mounted on or guided by flexible, e.g. catheter-like, means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1205 Introduction devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/043 Bronchi

Abstract

Disclosed is a delivery system for insertion into a lung. The delivery system includes an elongate endoscope having a proximal end and a distal end and defining an internal lumen. The endoscope is configured to articulate in one or more directions. The system further includes a catheter that includes an elongate shaft sized to be inserted through the internal lumen of the endoscope. The catheter has a shape that aids in the articulation of the distal end of the endoscope when the catheter is positioned inside the endoscope.

Claims

1. A delivery system for insertion into a lung, comprising:

an elongate endoscope having a proximal end and a distal end and defining an internal lumen, the endoscope configured to articulate in one or more directions; and

a catheter comprising an elongate shaft sized to be inserted through the internal lumen of the endoscope, wherein the catheter has a shape that aids in the articulation of the distal end of the endoscope when the catheter is positioned inside the endoscope.

2. A system as in claim 1, wherein the catheter has a shape that is selected to complement articulation of the distal end of the bronchoscope.

3. A system in claim 1, wherein the catheter has a first bend shaped to complement a shape of a bend in the endoscope.

4. A delivery system as in claim 1, wherein the catheter is configured to deliver a flow control device into a lung, the flow control device being removably mounted on a housing at a distal end of the catheter.

5. A system as in claim 1, wherein the catheter comprises an outer shaft and an inner shaft, the inner shaft having a first shape and a first stiffness and the outer shaft having a second shape and a second stiffness, wherein the first shape, first stiffness, second shape, and second stiffness have relative values that determine the shape of the catheter.

6. A system as in claim 5, wherein the first stiffness differs from the second stiffness.

7. A system as in claim 5, wherein the first shape and second shape both include a bend, and wherein the bends are different.

8. A system as in claim 1, wherein the catheter includes a bend on a distal end of the catheter.

9. A system as in claim 1, wherein the catheter has a first bend shaped to complement a shape of a bend in the endoscope and a second bend near a distal end of the catheter, wherein the second bend is located nearer the distal end of the catheter than the first bend.

10. A system as in claim 9, wherein the second bend causes a distal end of the catheter to deflect away from a centerline of the internal lumen in the endoscope.

11. A system as in claim 1, wherein the endoscope comprises a bronchoscope

12. A catheter for insertion into a lung, comprising

an elongate shaft sized to be inserted into a bronchial tree of the lung, wherein the catheter has at least one bend that permits the catheter to be navigated to a lung region through a bronchial pathway that requires the catheter to articulate across at least one extreme angle.

13. A catheter as in claim 12, wherein the extreme angle is greater than 90 degrees.

14. A catheter as in claim 12, wherein the extreme angle is greater than 120 degrees.

15. A catheter as in claim 12, wherein the extreme angle is greater than 150 degrees.

16. A catheter as in claim 12, wherein the extreme angle is greater than 180 degrees.

17. A catheter as in claim 12, wherein the at least one bend comprises a single bend that emulates a bend in a corresponding bronchoscope.

18. A catheter as in claim 12, wherein the at least one bend comprises a single bend that is shaped to aid in the articulation of a distal end of a bronchoscope.

19. A catheter as in claim 12, wherein the at least one bend comprises a single bend that is located within a distal region of the catheter, wherein the distal region of the catheter is located within 50 millimeters to 160 millimeters from a distal end of the catheter.

20. A catheter as in claim 12, wherein the at least one bend in the catheter includes a first bend that is shaped to aid in the articulation of a distal end of a bronchoscope and a second bend that is located distally of a distal end of the bronchoscope when the catheter is positioned in a working channel of the bronchoscope.

21. A catheter as in claim 12, wherein the lung region is an apical segment of an upper lobe of the lung.

22. A catheter for insertion into a lung, comprising:

an elongate shaft sized to be inserted into a bronchial passageway of the lung, the shaft sized to be inserted through an internal lumen of an endoscope configured to articulate in one or more directions, wherein the catheter has a shape that emulates the shape of the endoscope in an articulated state.