US20030050648A1 — Removable lung reduction devices, systems, and me…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 90 words

1 . A device for reducing the size of a lung comprising an obstructing structure dimensioned for insertion into an air passageway communicating with a portion of the lung to be reduced in size, the obstructing structure having an outer dimension which is so dimensioned when deployed in the air passageway to preclude air from flowing into the lung portion to collapse the portion of the lung for reducing the size of the lung, the obstructing structure being collapsible to permit removal of the obstruction device from the air passageway.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 90 words

1 . A device for reducing the size of a lung comprising an obstructing structure dimensioned for insertion into an air passageway communicating with a portion of the lung to be reduced in size, the obstructing structure having an outer dimension which is so dimensioned when deployed in the air passageway to preclude air from flowing into the lung portion to collapse the portion of the lung for reducing the size of the lung, the obstructing structure being collapsible to permit removal of the obstruction device from the air passageway.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 15 words

2 . The device of claim 1 wherein the obstructing structure forms a one-way valve.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 50 words

3 . The device of claim 1 further including at least one anchor that anchors the device within the air passageway when the device is deployed and wherein the at least one anchor is releasable during collapse of the obstructing structure and removal of the device from the air passageway.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 23 words

4 . The device of claim 1 wherein the obstructing structure includes a collapsible frame and a flexible membrane overlying the collapsible frame.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 21 words

5 . The device of claim 4 wherein the flexible membrane has an opened proximal end and a closed distal end.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 41 words

6 . The device of claim 5 wherein the flexible membrane inflates to inhaled air to preclude air from flowing into the lung portion and at least partially deflates to exhaled air to permit air to flow from the lung portion.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 50 words

7 . The device of claim 4 wherein the collapsible frame includes at least one anchor that anchors the device within the air passageway when deployed and wherein the at least one anchor is releasable during collapse of the collapsible frame and removal of the device from the air passageway.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 155 words

8 . An assembly comprising: a device for reducing the size of a lung, the device being dimensioned for insertion into an air passageway communicating with a portion of the lung to be reduced in size, the device having an outer dimension which is so dimensioned when deployed in the air passageway to preclude air from flowing into the lung portion to collapse the portion of the lung for reducing the size of the lung; a catheter having an internal lumen and being configured to be passed down a trachea, into the air passageway; and a retractor dimensioned to be passed down the internal lumen of the catheter, seizing the device, and pulling the obstruction device proximally into the internal lumen to remove the device from the air passageway, the device being collapsible after having been deployed to permit the device to be pulled proximally into the internal lumen of the catheter by the retractor.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 155 words

8 . An assembly comprising: a device for reducing the size of a lung, the device being dimensioned for insertion into an air passageway communicating with a portion of the lung to be reduced in size, the device having an outer dimension which is so dimensioned when deployed in the air passageway to preclude air from flowing into the lung portion to collapse the portion of the lung for reducing the size of the lung; a catheter having an internal lumen and being configured to be passed down a trachea, into the air passageway; and a retractor dimensioned to be passed down the internal lumen of the catheter, seizing the device, and pulling the obstruction device proximally into the internal lumen to remove the device from the air passageway, the device being collapsible after having been deployed to permit the device to be pulled proximally into the internal lumen of the catheter by the retractor.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 30 words

9 . The assembly of claim 8 wherein the device is collapsible by the catheter as the device is pulled into the internal lumen of the catheter by the retractor.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 28 words

10 . The assembly of claim 8 wherein the retractor includes collapsing means for collapsing the device before pulling the device into the internal lumen of the catheter.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 14 words

11 . The assembly of claim 8 wherein the device is a one-way valve.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 59 words

12 . The assembly of claim 8 wherein the device further includes at least one anchor that anchors the device within the air passageway when the device is deployed and wherein the at least one anchor is releasable as the device is pulled proximally into the internal lumen of the catheter and collapsed for removal from the air passageway.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 22 words

13 . The assembly of claim 8 wherein the device includes a collapsible frame and a flexible membrane overlying the collapsible frame.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 21 words

14 . The assembly of claim 13 wherein the flexible membrane has an opened proximal end and a closed distal end.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 41 words

15 . The assembly of claim 14 wherein the flexible membrane inflates to inhaled air to preclude air from flowing into the lung portion and at least partially deflates to exhaled air to permit air to flow from the lung portion.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 50 words

16 . The assembly of claim 13 wherein the collapsible frame includes at least one anchor that anchors the device within the air passageway when deployed and wherein the at least one anchor is releasable during collapse of the collapsible frame and removal of the device from the air passageway.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 90 words

17 . A method of removing a deployed air passageway obstruction device from an air passageway in which the device is deployed, the method including the steps of: passing a catheter, having an internal lumen, down a trachea and into the air passageway; advancing a retractor down the internal lumen of the catheter to the device; seizing the device with the retractor; collapsing the device to free the device from deployment in the air passageway; and pulling the device with the retractor proximally into the internal lumen of the catheter.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 90 words

17 . A method of removing a deployed air passageway obstruction device from an air passageway in which the device is deployed, the method including the steps of: passing a catheter, having an internal lumen, down a trachea and into the air passageway; advancing a retractor down the internal lumen of the catheter to the device; seizing the device with the retractor; collapsing the device to free the device from deployment in the air passageway; and pulling the device with the retractor proximally into the internal lumen of the catheter.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 25 words

18 . The method of claim 17 wherein the collapsing step is performed as the device is pulled into the internal lumen of the catheter.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 15 words

19 . The method of claim 18 wherein the device is collapsed by the catheter.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 19 words

20 . The method of claim 19 wherein the device is collapsed by the internal lumen of the catheter.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 23 words

21 . The method of claim 17 wherein the device is collapsed prior to being pulled into the internal lumen of the catheter.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 15 words

22 . The method of claim 21 wherein the device is collapsed by the retractor.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 44 words

23 . The method of claim 17 wherein the device includes at least one anchor for fixing the device in the air passageway when deployed and wherein the collapsing step includes the step of releasing the at least one anchor from the air passageway.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 69 words

24 . An air passageway obstruction device comprising: a frame structure; and a flexible membrane overlying the frame structure, the frame structure being collapsible upon advancement of the device into the air passageway, expandable into a rigid structure upon deployment in the air passageway whereby the flexible membrane obstructs inhaled air flow into a lung portion communicating with the air passageway, and recollapsible upon removal from the air passageway.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 69 words

24 . An air passageway obstruction device comprising: a frame structure; and a flexible membrane overlying the frame structure, the frame structure being collapsible upon advancement of the device into the air passageway, expandable into a rigid structure upon deployment in the air passageway whereby the flexible membrane obstructs inhaled air flow into a lung portion communicating with the air passageway, and recollapsible upon removal from the air passageway.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 18 words

25 . The device of claim 24 wherein the frame structure and flexible membrane form a one-way valve.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 36 words

26 . The device of claim 25 wherein the flexible membrane inflates to inhaled air to obstruct the air passageway and at least partially deflates to exhaled air to at least partially unobstruct the air passageway.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 28 words

27 . The device of claim 24 wherein the frame structure includes at least one anchor that engages and fixes the device in the air passageway upon deployment.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 27 words

28 . The device of claim 27 wherein the at least one anchor is releasable from engagement with the air passageway upon recollapse of the frame structure.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 61 words

29 . An air passageway obstruction device comprising: frame means for forming a support structure; and flexible membrane means overlying the support structure, the frame means being expandable to an expanded state within an air passageway to position the membrane means for obstructing air flow within the air passageway and being collapsible for removal of the device from the air passageway.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 61 words

29 . An air passageway obstruction device comprising: frame means for forming a support structure; and flexible membrane means overlying the support structure, the frame means being expandable to an expanded state within an air passageway to position the membrane means for obstructing air flow within the air passageway and being collapsible for removal of the device from the air passageway.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 28 words

30 . The device of claim 29 wherein the frame means and flexible membrane means form a one-way valve when the frame means is in the expanded state.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 32 words

31 . The device of claim 29 wherein the frame means further includes anchor means for fixing the device in the air passageway when the frame means is in the expanded state.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 32 words

32 . The device of claim 31 wherein the anchor means releases the device from the air passageway when the frame means collapses for removal of the device from the air passageway.

Removable lung reduction devices, systems, and methods

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