US20030228344A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and devices for inducing collapse in lung regions fed by collateral pathways
Assignee: Pulmonx Corp
•
Filing: 2003-03-06
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2023-03-06
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed are methods and devices for regulating fluid flow in one or more lung regions that are supplied fluid through one or more collateral pathways. An identified region of the lung is targeted for volume reduction or collapse. The targeted lung region is then bronchially isolated to inhibit air from flowing into the targeted lung region through bronchial pathways that directly feed air to the targeted lung region. If the targeted lung region does not collapse after bronchially isolating the targeted lung region, then it is possible that a collateral pathway is feeding air to the targeted lung region, thereby preventing the targeted lung region from collapsing. In such a case, the collateral pathway is identified and air flow into the targeted lung region via the collateral pathway is reduced or eliminated.
Inventors
- 👤 Antony Fields
- 👤 Ronald Hundertmark
- 👤 John McCutcheon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:04
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K15/00; F16K15/14; F16K15/144; F16K15/147; A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/04; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/00491; A61F2/06; A61F2/24; A61F2/2412; A61F2/2418; A61F2/2427; A61F2/82; A61F2/86; A61F2/90; A61F2/91; A61F2002/043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
1 . A method of regulating fluid flow for a targeted lung region, comprising: identifying at least one collateral pathway that provides collateral fluid flow into the targeted lung region; and performing an intervention within the lung to reduce the amount of collateral fluid flow provided to the targeted lung region through the collateral pathway.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
55 words
1 . A method of regulating fluid flow for a targeted lung region, comprising: identifying at least one collateral pathway that provides collateral fluid flow into the targeted lung region; and performing an intervention within the lung to reduce the amount of collateral fluid flow provided to the targeted lung region through the collateral pathway.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
2 . A method as defined in claim 1 , additionally comprising: identifying at least one direct pathway that provides direct fluid flow into the targeted lung region; deploying a bronchial isolation device in the direct pathway to regulate fluid flow to the targeted lung region through the direct pathway.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
3 . A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the targeted lung region is a portion of a lung comprised of a lung lobe, and wherein the collateral pathway comprises an incomplete interlobar fissure that is located adjacent to the lung lobe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
4 . A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the targeted lung region is a portion of a lung comprised of a lung segment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
5 . A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein reducing the amount of collateral fluid flow provided to the targeted lung region through the collateral pathway includes: injecting a flowable therapeutic agent into the targeted lung region or collateral pathway, wherein the flowable therapeutic agent induces a reaction in lung tissue of the targeted lung region or in the collateral pathway to reduce collateral fluid flow into the targeted lung region.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
6 . A method as defined in claim 5 , wherein the therapeutic agent induces a reaction that glues at least a portion of the lung tissue to at least partially seal a collateral pathway into the targeted lung region.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
7 . A method as defined in claim 5 , wherein the therapeutic agent induces a reaction that causes sclerosis in the lung tissue.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
8 . A method as defined in claim 5 , wherein the therapeutic agent induces a reaction that promotes fibrosis in the lung tissue.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
9 . A method as defined in claim 5 , wherein the therapeutic agent induces a reaction that inflames the lung tissue.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
10 . A method as defined in claim 5 , wherein the therapeutic agent is a foam that expands within the targeted lung region or collateral pathway to thereby at least partially fill-up a volume contained in the targeted lung region or collateral pathway.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
11 . A method as defined in claim 5 , wherein the therapeutic agent is a bulking agent that fills the targeted lung region or collateral pathway to thereby at least partially fill-up a volume contained in the targeted lung region or collateral pathway.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
12 . A method as defined in claim 5 , wherein the therapeutic agent is an infective agent that induces a local infection that scars the lung tissue in the targeted lung region or collateral pathway.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
80 words
13 . A method as defined in claim 5 , wherein injecting a flowable therapeutic agent comprises: deploying a delivery catheter through a bronchial tree into the targeted lung region or collateral pathway such that a distal end of the delivery catheter is positioned at the targeted lung region; flowing the flowable therapeutic agent through the delivery catheter so that the flowable therapeutic agent exits the distal end of the delivery catheter into the targeted lung region or collateral pathway.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
14 . A method as defined in claim 13 , additionally comprising: using the distal end of the delivery catheter to puncture a bronchial wall of a bronchial passageway located at the targeted lung region; passing the distal end of the delivery catheter through the bronchial wall into the target lung region.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
15 . A method as defined in claim 13 , additionally comprising: using RF energy applied at the distal end of the delivery catheter to puncture a bronchial wall of a bronchial passageway located at the targeted lung region; passing the distal end of the delivery catheter through the bronchial wall into the target lung region.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
16 . A method as defined in claim 5 , wherein injecting a flowable therapeutic agent into the targeted lung region comprises percutaneously injecting the therapeutic agent into the targeted lung region.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
17 . A method as defined in claim 5 , additionally comprising dispersing the flowable therapeutic agent through the target lung region in a controlled manner such that the flowable therapeutic agent flows toward a collateral pathway that provides collateral flow into the targeted lung region.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
18 . A method as defined in claim 5 , additionally comprising dispersing the flowable therapeutic agent through the target lung region in a controlled manner such that the flowable therapeutic agent flows toward and into a collateral pathway that provides collateral flow into the targeted lung region.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
55 words
19 . A method as defined in claim 17 , wherein dispersing the flowable therapeutic agent through the target lung region in a controlled manner comprises creating a pressure differential between the targeted lung region and an adjacent lung region, wherein the pressure differential encourages the flowable therapeutic agent to flow in a desired direction.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
82 words
20 . A method as defined in claim 19 , wherein creating a pressure differential comprises: injecting the flowable therapeutic agent into the targeted lung region at a injection pressure; deploying a catheter into the adjacent lung region such that a distal end of the catheter is located in the adjacent lung region; applying a suction to the distal end of the catheter to create a back pressure in the adjacent lung region, wherein the back pressure differs from the injection pressure.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
21 . A method as defined in claim 5 , additionally comprising removing excess therapeutic agent from the targeted lung region.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
22 . A method as defined in claim 5 , additionally comprising leaving the flowable therapeutic agent in the lung region so that the flowable therapeutic agent is absorbed into lung tissue.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
60 words
23 . A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein reducing the amount of collateral fluid flow provided to the targeted lung region through the collateral pathway includes: applying energy to lung tissue of the targeted lung region or collateral pathway, wherein the energy induces a reaction in lung tissue that reduces collateral flow into the targeted lung region.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
24 . A method as defined in claim 20 , wherein the energy is emitted from a beta-radiation emitting source.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
122 words
25 . A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein reducing the amount of collateral fluid flow provided to the targeted lung region through the collateral pathway includes: implanting a first flow-limiting element into a direct pathway that provides direct flow into the targeted lung region, wherein the first flow limiting element regulates fluid flow into the targeted lung region through the direct pathway; identifying a second lung region that acts as a source of collateral flow into the targeted lung region; implanting a second flow-limiting element into a bronchial pathway that provides fluid flow into the second lung region, wherein the second flow limiting element allows fluid flow in an exhalation direction and restricts fluid flow in an inhalation direction.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
42 words
26 . A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein reducing the amount of collateral fluid flow provided to the targeted lung region through the collateral pathway includes using a clip to at least partially clamp shut the identified collateral pathway.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
73 words
27 . A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein reducing the amount of collateral fluid flow provided to the targeted lung region through the collateral pathway includes percutaneously sucking fluid from the targeted lung region for a time period sufficient to adhere the lung tissue in the targeted lung region in a collapsed state such that the targeted lung region will not re-inflate through collateral pathways after the suction is stopped.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
79 words
28 . A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein reducing the amount of collateral fluid flow provided to the targeted lung region through the collateral pathway includes: applying a first component of an adhesive into the lung; applying a second portion of the adhesive into the lung; causing the first and second component to contact one another at the collateral pathway, wherein the first and second components of the adhesive collectively solidify when they contact one another.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
44 words
29 . A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein reducing the amount of collateral fluid flow provided to the targeted lung region through the collateral pathway comprises preventing the identified collateral pathway from providing collateral fluid flow into the targeted lung region.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
48 words
30 . A method of regulating fluid flow for a targeted lung region, comprising: reducing direct fluid flow in a direct pathway that provides direct fluid flow to the targeted lung region; and reducing collateral fluid flow that flows through a collateral pathway to the targeted lung region.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
48 words
30 . A method of regulating fluid flow for a targeted lung region, comprising: reducing direct fluid flow in a direct pathway that provides direct fluid flow to the targeted lung region; and reducing collateral fluid flow that flows through a collateral pathway to the targeted lung region.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
54 words
31 . A method as defined in claim 30 , wherein reducing the amount of collateral fluid flow comprises: injecting a therapeutic agent into the targeted lung region, wherein the flowable therapeutic agent induces a reaction in lung tissue of the targeted lung region to reduce collateral fluid flow into the targeted lung region.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
32 . A method as defined in claim 30 , additionally comprising causing the targeted lung region to collapse.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
33 . A method as defined in claim 32 , wherein the targeted lung region collapses as a result of the therapeutic agent being absorbed by a patient's body.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
34 words
34 . A method as defined in claim 33 , wherein the targeted lung region collapses as a result of the targeted lung region absorbing gas that is trapped within the targeted lung region.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
34 words
35 . A method as defined in claim 32 , wherein the targeted lung region collapses as a result of the fluid being exhaled through the flow control element implanted in the direct pathway.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
30 words
36 . A method as defined in claim 31 , wherein the therapeutic agent is injected into the targeted lung region after reducing direct fluid flow in the direct pathway.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
37 . A method as defined in claim 30 , additionally comprising removing the therapeutic agent from the targeted lung region.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
38 . A method as defined in claim 37 , wherein the therapeutic agent is removed using suction.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
24 words
39 . A method as defined in claim 37 , wherein the therapeutic agent is removed by aspirating the therapeutic agent with a needle.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
32 words
40 . A method as defined in claim 30 , wherein the therapeutic agent is injected into the targeted lung region prior to implanting the flow control element in the direct pathway.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
23 words
41 . A method as defined in claim 30 , wherein the therapeutic agent is injected into parenchyma of the targeted lung region.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
42 . A method as defined in claim 41 , additionally comprising removing the therapeutic agent from the targeted lung region.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
34 words
43 . A method as defined in claim 41 , additionally comprising removing the therapeutic agent from the targeted lung region, wherein the flow control element is implanted after the therapeutic agent is removed.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
28 words
44 . A method as defined in claim 30 , wherein the step of reducing direct fluid flow comprises implanting a flow control element in the direct pathway.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
30 words
45 . A method as defined in claim 44 , wherein the flow control element allows fluid flow in an exhalation direction and restricts fluid flow in an inspiration direction.
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