US20010037808A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and devices for use in performing pulmonary procedures
Assignee: Pulmonx Corp
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Filing: 2001-03-02
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2021-03-02
Abstract
Abstract An implantable flow control element is provided which prevents air from entering an isolated portion of a patient's lung. The element may permit air to escape from the isolated portion so that the element acts like a valve. Systems for implanting pulmonary devices are also provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark Deem
- 👤 Bernard Andreas
- 👤 Sunmi Chew
- 👤 Antony Fields
- 👤 Ronald French
- 👤 Hanson Gifford
- 👤 Ronald Hundertmark
- 👤 Alan Rapacki
- 👤 Douglas Sutton
- 👤 Peter Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 21:08
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K15/00; F16K15/14; F16K15/144; F16K15/147; A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/12; A61B17/12022; A61B17/12099; A61B17/12104; A61B17/12131; A61B17/12168; A61B17/12172; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/04; A61F2/24; A61F2/2412; A61F2/2476; A61F2/82; A61F2/86; A61F2/90; A61F2/91; A61P; A61P1/00; A61P11/00; A61B17/22; A61B17/221; A61B2017/1205; A61B2017/2215; A61B90/00; A61B90/06; A61B2090/061; A61F2/2403; A61F2/2418; A61F2002/043; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0008; A61F2220/0016; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/005; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/912
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 105
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
1 . A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
1 . A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the valve having first and second lips which engage one another when the valve is in a closed position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the first lip being stiffer than the second lip, the first lip biasing the second lip toward the closed position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the first and second lips being curved when viewed from an end of the lips
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
5 . The method of claim 2 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the first and second lips forming a duckbill valve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
6 . The method of claim 2 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the first and second lips forming a heimlich valve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the flow control element having a valve body with a sealing portion which seals against the wall of the pulmonary passageway.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein: the releasing step is carried out with the sealing portion sealing against the wall of the pulmonary passageway until an opening pressure differential is achieved wherein the sealing portion opens to permit air to pass in the same direction as the valve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the sealing portion being made of a resilient material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
10 . The method of claim 7 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the sealing portion being a ring.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with at least two rings.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein: the rings have different sizes to seal different size locations.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
13 . The method of claim 7 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the ring having a helical shape.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising the step of: rotating the valve so that the ring anchors the device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with flow control element having a body mounted to an expandable support structure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the support structure having an exposed portion not covered by the body.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the flow control element having a plurality of flexible bristles extending from the outer surface; the releasing step is carried out with the bristles engaging the wall of the pulmonary passageway.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein: the releasing step is carried out with the bristles being angled to preferentially anchor the valve relative to forces exerted in an expiratory direction.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with at least 10 bristles.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
20 . The method of claim 1 , wherein: the advancing step is carried out with the flow control element being in a collapsed condition; and the releasing step is carried out with the flow control element expanding toward an expanded condition.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
21 . The method of claim 1 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the valve being a valve selected from the group consisting of poppet, ball, duckbill, heimlich, flap and leaflet.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
70 words
22 . The method of claim 1 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the valve having a valve structure; the releasing step being carried out so that the valve structure cooperates with a portion of the wall of the passageway, the valve structure being positioned against the portion of the wall in a closed position and being spaced apart from the wall when in an open position.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
23 . The method of claim 22 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the valve structure being a resilient portion positioned against the wall.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
24 . The method of claim 22 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the valve structure being a ring.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
25 . The method of claim 22 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the valve structure being formed by a number of independent sections which each have an open position and a closed position.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
26 . The method of claim 1 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the valve being generally conical.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
27 . The method of claim 1 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the flow control element having a body, the body being integrally formed with the valve.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
28 . The method of claim 1 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the body being made of a resilient material.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
30 words
29 . The method of claim 1 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the valve having a support structure with the valve mounted to the support structure.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
30 . The method of claim 1 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the flow control element having a large end and a small end.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
31 . The method of claim 1 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the valve being a slit valve.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
32 . The method of claim 31 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the valve being generally conical.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
33 . The method of claim 1 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with a sealant on an exterior surface of the flow control element.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
33 words
34 . The method of claim 33 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the sealant being an adhesive which seals a space between the flow control element and pulmonary wall.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
31 words
35 . The method of claim 33 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the sealant being a flowable substance which conforms to the shape of the pulmonary site.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
33 words
36 . The method of claim 1 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the valve having first and second lips and reinforcing elements extending along lateral edges of the lips.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
30 words
37 . The method of claim 1 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the valve opening upon a pressure differential of no more than 10 inches water.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
30 words
38 . The method of claim 1 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the valve opening upon a pressure differential of no more than 5 inches water.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
30 words
39 . The method of claim 1 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the valve opening upon a pressure differential of no more than 1 inch water.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
45 words
40 . A device for controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising: a body; a valve coupled to the body, the valve configured to prevent air from entering an isolated portion of the patient's lung but permitting expiratory air to pass through the valve.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
45 words
40 . A device for controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising: a body; a valve coupled to the body, the valve configured to prevent air from entering an isolated portion of the patient's lung but permitting expiratory air to pass through the valve.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
21 words
41 . The device of claim 40 , wherein: the body is expandable from a collapsed position to an expanded position
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
23 words
42 . The device of claim 40 , wherein: the valve opens upon a pressure differential of no more than 10 inch water.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
43 . The device of claim 40 , wherein: the valve opens upon a pressure differential of no more than 5 inch water.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
23 words
44 . The device of claim 40 , wherein: the valve opens upon a pressure differential of no more than 1 inch water.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
35 words
45 . The device of claim 40 , wherein: the valve has a first lip and a second lip, the first and second lips engaging one another when the valve is in a closed position.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
29 words
46 . The device of claim 45 , wherein: the first lip being stiffer than the second lip, the first lip biasing the second lip toward the closed position.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
18 words
47 . The device of claim 45 , wherein: the first and second lips form a duckbill valve.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
18 words
48 . The device of claim 45 , wherein: the first and second lips form a heimlich valve.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
24 words
49 . The device of claim 40 , wherein: the body has a sealing portion which seals against the wall of the pulmonary passageway.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
49 words
50 . The device of claim 49 , wherein: the sealing portion seals against the wall of the pulmonary passageway until an opening pressure differential is achieved wherein the sealing portion becomes spaced apart from the wall to permit air to pass in the same direction as the valve.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
18 words
51 . The device of claim 49 , wherein: the sealing portion is made of a resilient material.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
15 words
52 . The device of claim 49 , wherein: the sealing portion is a ring.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
17 words
53 . The device of claim 52 , wherein: the sealing portion has a plurality of rings.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
21 words
54 . The device of claim 53 , wherein: the rings have different sizes so that they seal different size locations.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
16 words
55 . The device of claim 52 , wherein: the sealing portion has a helical ring.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
16 words
56 . The device of claim 52 , wherein: the sealing portion has a frustoconical surface.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
16 words
57 . The device of claim 40 , wherein: the body includes an expandable support structure.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
17 words
58 . The device of claim 40 , wherein: the body is made of an elastomeric material.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
19 words
59 . The device of claim 57 , wherein: the body covers only part of the expandable support structure.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
17 words
60 . The device of claim 40 , wherein: the valve is integrally formed with the body.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
16 words
61 . The device of claim 40 , wherein the body has at least 10 bristles.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
24 words
62 . The device of claim 49 , wherein; the sealing portion is deflectable to permit the passage of air in an expiratory direction.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
25 words
63 . The device of claim 40 , wherein: the valve is selected from the group consisting of poppet, ball, duckbill, heimlich, flap and leaflet.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
29 words
64 . The device of claim 40 , wherein: the valve is formed by a number of independent sections which each have an open position and a closed position.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
49 words
65 . The device of claim 64 , wherein: the independent sections are configured to form a valve with a portion of the wall of the pulmonary passageway, the independent sections engaging the wall in a closed position and being spaced apart from the wall in an open position.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
14 words
66 . The device of claim 40 , wherein: the valve is generally conical.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
14 words
67 . The device of claim 40 , wherein: the valve has a slit.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
23 words
68 . The device of claim 40 , wherein: the body has a support structure with the valve mounted to the support structure.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
44 words
69 . The device of claim 68 , wherein: the body is coupled to the support structure with at least one connection, the connection being contained within an opening in the support structure so that the connection is free to move within the opening.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
20 words
70 . The device of claim 68 , wherein: the support structure is tapered to be larger at one end.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
19 words
71 . The device of claim 40 , further comprising: a sealant on an exterior surface of the device.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
14 words
72 . The device of claim 71 , wherein: the sealant is an adhesive.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
21 words
73 . The device of claim 71 , wherein: the sealant is a flowable substance which conforms to the pulmonary site.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
101 words
74 . A method of delivering a blocking element into the pulmonary system, the method comprising the steps of: providing a blocking element coupled to a delivery element; advancing the blocking element through a patient's lungs to a location in a patient's pulmonary system; expanding an expandable member to occlude a pulmonary passageway; withdrawing air from the patient's lungs after the expanding step; and releasing the blocking element from the delivery element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lungs, the blocking element preventing air from entering the isolated portion of the lung through the pulmonary site.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
101 words
74 . A method of delivering a blocking element into the pulmonary system, the method comprising the steps of: providing a blocking element coupled to a delivery element; advancing the blocking element through a patient's lungs to a location in a patient's pulmonary system; expanding an expandable member to occlude a pulmonary passageway; withdrawing air from the patient's lungs after the expanding step; and releasing the blocking element from the delivery element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lungs, the blocking element preventing air from entering the isolated portion of the lung through the pulmonary site.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
20 words
75 . The method of claim 74 , wherein: the releasing step is carried out with the expandable member expanded.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
61 words
76 . The method of claim 74 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the blocking element permitting air flow in the opposite direction so that the blocking element acts like a valve; and the releasing step is carried out with the blocking element preventing air flow in an inhalation direction but permitting air flow in an exhalation direction.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
25 words
77 . The method of claim 74 , wherein: the expanding step is carried out with the expandable member being part of the delivery element.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
33 words
78 . The method of claim 74 , wherein: the withdrawing step is carried out by withdrawing air through the delivery element to remove air from the isolated part of the patient's lung.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
19 words
79 . The method of claim 74 , wherein: the releasing step is carried out before the withdrawing step.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
19 words
80 . The method of claim 74 , wherein; the releasing step is carried out after the withdrawing step.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
57 words
81 . A system for delivering an element into the pulmonary system, comprising: a delivery element having a first lumen; and a pulmonary element releasably coupled to the delivery element, the pulmonary element and delivery element being configured for intrapulmonary delivery, the pulmonary element at least blocking air flow into an isolated portion of a patient's lung.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
57 words
81 . A system for delivering an element into the pulmonary system, comprising: a delivery element having a first lumen; and a pulmonary element releasably coupled to the delivery element, the pulmonary element and delivery element being configured for intrapulmonary delivery, the pulmonary element at least blocking air flow into an isolated portion of a patient's lung.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
19 words
82 . The system of claim 81 , further comprising: a source of vacuum coupled to the first lumen.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
23 words
83 . The system of claim 81 , wherein: the delivery element has an expandable member mounted thereto for occluding a pulmonary passageway.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
33 words
84 . The system of claim 81 , wherein: the delivery element has a second lumen, the expandable member being a balloon which is coupled to the second lumen for inflating the balloon.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
30 words
85 . The system of claim 81 , wherein: the pulmonary element is a valve which permits air flow in one direction and blocks air flow in the other direction.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
18 words
86 . The system of claim 81 , wherein: the pulmonary element is mounted within the first lumen.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
30 words
87 . The system of claim 86 , wherein: the first lumen has an enlarged distal end, the pulmonary element being positioned in the enlarged portion of the first lumen.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
19 words
88 . The system of claim 81 , further comprising: a source of fluid coupled to the first lumen.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
29 words
89 . The system of claim 88 , wherein: the source of fluid contains a fluid selected from the group consisting of therapeutic agent, antibiotic, saline, sealant and adhesive.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
89 words
90 . A method of treating the lung, comprising the steps of: advancing a device through an intrapulmonary path to a blocking element, the blocking element being previously implanted in a patient's lung for isolating a portion of a patient's lung; performing a procedure with the device on the isolated portion of the patient's lung, the device extending through the previously implanted blocking element; and removing the device after the performing step, wherein the blocking element prevents air flow in the inhalation direction after the device has been removed.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
89 words
90 . A method of treating the lung, comprising the steps of: advancing a device through an intrapulmonary path to a blocking element, the blocking element being previously implanted in a patient's lung for isolating a portion of a patient's lung; performing a procedure with the device on the isolated portion of the patient's lung, the device extending through the previously implanted blocking element; and removing the device after the performing step, wherein the blocking element prevents air flow in the inhalation direction after the device has been removed.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
37 words
91 . The method of claim 90 , wherein: the advancing, performing and removing steps are carried out with the blocking element preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction but permitting air flow in an expiratory direction.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
24 words
92 . The method of claim 90 , wherein: the performing step is carried out by applying suction through a lumen in the device.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
25 words
93 . The method of claim 92 , wherein: the performing step is carried out to remove air from the isolated portion of the lung.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
33 words
94 . The method of claim 90 , wherein: the performing step is carried out by delivering a therapeutic substance to the isolated portion of the lung through a lumen in the device.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
26 words
95 . The method of claim 94 , further comprising the step of: removing material from the isolated portion of the lung after the performing step.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
22 words
96 . The method of claim 90 , further comprising the step of: expanding an expandable member to occlude a pulmonary location.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
29 words
97 . The method of claim 90 , wherein: the advancing step is carried out with the blocking element sealing around the device when the device is positioned therein.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
82 words
98 . A device for blocking flow in one direction through a pulmonary passageway, comprising: a valve body having an expandable metal structure, the expandable metal structure having a covered portion and an exposed portion, the exposed portion forming anchoring elements which anchor the valve body to a location in a patient's pulmonary passageway; and at least one valve coupled to the valve body for permitting air flow in one direction and at least substantially preventing air flow in the other direction.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
82 words
98 . A device for blocking flow in one direction through a pulmonary passageway, comprising: a valve body having an expandable metal structure, the expandable metal structure having a covered portion and an exposed portion, the exposed portion forming anchoring elements which anchor the valve body to a location in a patient's pulmonary passageway; and at least one valve coupled to the valve body for permitting air flow in one direction and at least substantially preventing air flow in the other direction.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
21 words
99 . The valve structure of claim 98 , wherein: the exposed portion of the metal structure forms v-shaped anchoring elements.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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