Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
44 words
1 . A method for aspirating a hyperextended region of a patient's lung, said method comprising: monitoring the patient's respiration to determine periods of inspiration and exhalation; and aspirating air from the hyperextended region during periods of inspiration but not during periods of exhalation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
44 words
1 . A method for aspirating a hyperextended region of a patient's lung, said method comprising: monitoring the patient's respiration to determine periods of inspiration and exhalation; and aspirating air from the hyperextended region during periods of inspiration but not during periods of exhalation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
2 . A method as in claim 1 , wherein aspirating comprises isolating the hyperextended region from other regions of the lungs, introducing a bronchial catheter into the isolated region, and applying a negative pressure to the catheter during periods of inspiration but not during periods of exhalation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
3 . A method as in claim 1 or 2 , wherein monitoring comprises receiving a signal from a thorax impedance sensor on the patient's chest.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
4 . A method as in claim 1 or 2 , wherein monitoring comprises receiving a signal from an acoustic measurement sensor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
5 . A method as in claim 1 or 2 , wherein monitoring comprises receiving a signal from an inductance respirometer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
6 . A method as in claim 2 , further comprising delivering compressed gas through the bronchial catheter to the hyperextended region prior to and/or during an initial phase of aspiration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
80 words
7 . A system for aspirating a hyperextended region of a patient's lung, said system comprising: a bronchial catheter configured to access said hyperextended lung region; a sensor configured to distinguish between periods of inspiration and exhalation during the patient's spontaneous respiration cycle; and an aspiration device connectable to the bronchial catheter and the sensor, said aspiration device having a control unit configured to aspirate air from the hyperextended region during periods of inspiration but not during periods of exhalation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
7 . A system for aspirating a hyperextended region of a patient's lung, said system comprising: a bronchial catheter configured to access said hyperextended lung region; a sensor configured to distinguish between periods of inspiration and exhalation during the patient's spontaneous respiration cycle; and an aspiration device connectable to the bronchial catheter and the sensor, said aspiration device having a control unit configured to aspirate air from the hyperextended region during periods of inspiration but not during periods of exhalation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
8 . A system as in claim 7 , wherein the sensor measures thorax impedance on the patient's chest.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
9 . A system as in claim 7 , wherein the sensor measures sound.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
10 . A system as in claim 7 , wherein the sensor comprises and inductance respirometer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
61 words
11 . A system as in any one of claims 7 to 10 , further comprising a gas pulse generator connectable to the bronchial catheter and the sensor, said gas pulse generator having a valve unit which delivers compressed gas through the bronchial catheter to the hyperextended region prior to and/or during and initial phase of aspiration through the aspiration device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
12 . A system as in claim 11 , further comprising an imaging unit for imaging the hyperextended lung area during treatment.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
13 . A system as in claim 12 , wherein the imaging unit is coupled to the valve unit of the gas pulse generator.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
14 . A method for aspirating a hyperextended region of a patient's lung, said method comprising: aspirating air from the hyperextended region; and delivering short pulses of compressed gas to the hyperextended region in order to open air passages to allow aspiration.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
14 . A method for aspirating a hyperextended region of a patient's lung, said method comprising: aspirating air from the hyperextended region; and delivering short pulses of compressed gas to the hyperextended region in order to open air passages to allow aspiration.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
15 . A method as in claim 14 , wherein the gas is selected from the group consisting of air, heliox, helium, or nitrogen.