US6293951B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lung reduction device, system, and method
Assignee: Gyrus ACMI Inc
•
Filing: 1999-08-24
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Granted: 2001-09-25
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Expires: 2019-08-24
Abstract
Abstract A device, system, and method provides for lung size reduction by permanently collapsing at least a portion of a lung. The lung portion may be collapsed by obstructing the air passageway which communicates the lung portion to be collapsed. The air passageway may be obstructed by an obstructing member which precludes airflow in either direction or with a one-way valve which permits air to be exhaled from the lung portion while precluding air from being inhaled into the lung portion. In addition, a vacuum may be pulled within the lung portion to be collapsed for collapsing the lung portion and while the lung portion is collapsed the obstructing member may be placed in the air passageway to maintain the lung portion in a permanently collapsed state.
Inventors
- 👤 Clifton A. Alferness
- 👤 Richard Y. Lin
- 👤 Wilfred E. Jaeger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:40
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/04; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/12; A61B17/12022; A61B17/12099; A61B17/12104; A61B17/12131; A61B17/12168; A61B17/12172; A61F2/24; A61F2/2476; A61F2002/043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A bronchial sub-branch obstruction device for reducing the size of a lung comprising an obstructing member dimensioned for insertion into a bronchial sub-branch communicating with a portion of the lung to be reduced in size, the obstructing member having an outer dimension which is so dimensioned as to make continuous contact with an inner dimension of the bronchial sub-branch to seal the bronchial sub-branch upon placement in the bronchial sub-branch, to preclude normal function of the lung portion, and to collapse the portion of the lung for reducing the size of the lung, wherein the obstructing member is a one-way valve to permit exhaled air to flow from the lung portion while precluding inhaled air from flowing into the lung portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A bronchial sub-branch obstruction device for reducing the size of a lung comprising an obstructing member dimensioned for insertion into a bronchial sub-branch communicating with a portion of the lung to be reduced in size, the obstructing member having an outer dimension which is so dimensioned as to make continuous contact with an inner dimension of the bronchial sub-branch to seal the bronchial sub-branch upon placement in the bronchial sub-branch, to preclude normal function of the lung portion, and to collapse the portion of the lung for reducing the size of the lung, wherein the obstructing member is a one-way valve to permit exhaled air to flow from the lung portion while precluding inhaled air from flowing into the lung portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the obstructing member is formed of resilient material so as to be collapsible for initial insertion into the bronchial sub-branch in a collapsed condition and releasable to define the outer dimension upon placement in the bronchial sub-branch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the obstructing member includes a generally circular base having an outer periphery and a circumferential generally cylindrical sidewall extending from the outer periphery of the base, the generally cylindrical sidewall having an outer surface defining the outer dimension.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 3 wherein the obstructing member is formed of resilient material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 4 wherein the obstructing member is formed of silicone rubber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 4 wherein the obstructing member sidewall includes an inner generally cylindrical surface and wherein the obstructing member includes a resilient reinforcement rib in contact with the inner generally cylindrical surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 6 wherein the reinforcement rib has a serpentine configuration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
The device of claim 6 wherein the base, the generally cylindrical sidewall, and the resilient reinforcement rib of the obstructing member are all collapsible and wherein the resilient reinforcement rib forces the cylindrical sidewall radially outwardly when the obstructing member is positioned in the air passageway to form the generally circular base and circumferential generally cylindrical sidewall.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
112 words
A bronchial sub-branch obstruction system for reducing the size of a lung comprising: a conduit configured to be passed down a trachea, into a bronchus communicating with the trachea, and into a bronchial sub-branch communicating the bronchus with a lung portion to be reduced in size; and an obstructing member so dimensioned as to be guidable through the conduit and placed in the bronchial sub-branch to seal the bronchial sub-branch, to preclude normal function of the lung portion, and to collapse the lung portion, wherein the obstructing member is a one-way valve to permit exhaled air to flow from the lung portion while precluding inhaled air from flowing into the lung portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
112 words
A bronchial sub-branch obstruction system for reducing the size of a lung comprising: a conduit configured to be passed down a trachea, into a bronchus communicating with the trachea, and into a bronchial sub-branch communicating the bronchus with a lung portion to be reduced in size; and an obstructing member so dimensioned as to be guidable through the conduit and placed in the bronchial sub-branch to seal the bronchial sub-branch, to preclude normal function of the lung portion, and to collapse the lung portion, wherein the obstructing member is a one-way valve to permit exhaled air to flow from the lung portion while precluding inhaled air from flowing into the lung portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 9 wherein the obstructing member is formed of resilient material so as to be collapsible for initial insertion through the conduit into the bronchial sub-branch in a collapsed condition and releasably expandable so as to be dimensioned to seal the bronchial sub-branch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 9 wherein the obstructing member includes a generally circular base having an outer periphery and a circumferential generally cylindrical sidewall extending from the outer periphery of the base, the generally cylindrical sidewall having an outer surface for continuous engagement with the bronchial sub-branch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the obstructing member is formed of resilient material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 12 wherein the obstructing member is formed of silicone rubber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 12 wherein the obstructing member sidewall includes an inner generally cylindrical surface and wherein the obstructing member includes a resilient reinforcement rib in contact with the inner generally cylindrical surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 14 wherein the reinforcement rib has a serpentine configuration.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system of claim 14 wherein the base, the generally cylindrical sidewall, and the resilient reinforcement rib of the obstructing member are all collapsible and wherein the resilient reinforcement rib forces the cylindrical sidewall radially outwardly when the obstructing member is positioned in the bronchial sub-branch to form the generally circular base and circumferential cylindrical sidewall.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
92 words
A system for reducing the size of a lung comprising: a conduit configured to be passed down a trachea, into a bronchus communicating with the trachea, and into an air passageway communicating the bronchus with a lung portion to be reduced in size; an obstructing member configured to be guided through the conduit into the air passageway for placement in the air passageway and sealing the air passageway for collapsing the lung portion; and a vacuum source for pulling a vacuum in the lung portion prior to placement of the obstructing member.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
92 words
A system for reducing the size of a lung comprising: a conduit configured to be passed down a trachea, into a bronchus communicating with the trachea, and into an air passageway communicating the bronchus with a lung portion to be reduced in size; an obstructing member configured to be guided through the conduit into the air passageway for placement in the air passageway and sealing the air passageway for collapsing the lung portion; and a vacuum source for pulling a vacuum in the lung portion prior to placement of the obstructing member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 17 wherein the vacuum source is configured for being coupled to the conduit for pulling the vacuum through the conduit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 17 wherein the conduit has an outer dimension smaller than an inner dimension of the passageway, and wherein the system further includes sealing means for sealing between the conduit outer dimension and the air passageway inner dimension.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 19 wherein the sealing means comprises an inflatable member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 20 wherein the conduit includes a first channel for guiding the obstructing member and a second channel for inflating the inflatable member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
128 words
A bronchial sub-branch obstruction device for reducing the size of a lung comprising an obstructing member dimensioned for insertion into a bronchial sub-branch communicating with a portion of the lung to be reduced in size, the obstructing member having an outer dimension which is so dimensioned as to make continuous contact with an inner dimension of the bronchial sub-branch to seal the bronchial sub-branch upon placement in the bronchial sub-branch to preclude air from being exhaled from the lung portion and inhaled into the lung portion for collapsing the portion of the lung and reducing the size of the lung, wherein the obstructing member is a one-way valve to permit exhaled air to flow from the lung portion while precluding inhaled air from flowing into the lung portion.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
128 words
A bronchial sub-branch obstruction device for reducing the size of a lung comprising an obstructing member dimensioned for insertion into a bronchial sub-branch communicating with a portion of the lung to be reduced in size, the obstructing member having an outer dimension which is so dimensioned as to make continuous contact with an inner dimension of the bronchial sub-branch to seal the bronchial sub-branch upon placement in the bronchial sub-branch to preclude air from being exhaled from the lung portion and inhaled into the lung portion for collapsing the portion of the lung and reducing the size of the lung, wherein the obstructing member is a one-way valve to permit exhaled air to flow from the lung portion while precluding inhaled air from flowing into the lung portion.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
120 words
A bronchial sub-branch obstruction system for reducing the size of a lung comprising: a conduit configured to be passed down a trachea, into a bronchus communicating with the trachea, and into a bronchial sub-branch communicating the bronchus with a lung portion to be reduced in size; and an obstructing member so dimensioned as to be guidable through the conduit and placed in the bronchial sub-branch to seal the bronchial sub-branch to preclude air from being exhaled from the lung portion and inhaled into the lung portion and to collapse the lung portion, wherein the obstructing member is a one-way valve to permit exhaled air to flow from the lung portion while precluding inhaled air from flowing into the lung portion.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
120 words
A bronchial sub-branch obstruction system for reducing the size of a lung comprising: a conduit configured to be passed down a trachea, into a bronchus communicating with the trachea, and into a bronchial sub-branch communicating the bronchus with a lung portion to be reduced in size; and an obstructing member so dimensioned as to be guidable through the conduit and placed in the bronchial sub-branch to seal the bronchial sub-branch to preclude air from being exhaled from the lung portion and inhaled into the lung portion and to collapse the lung portion, wherein the obstructing member is a one-way valve to permit exhaled air to flow from the lung portion while precluding inhaled air from flowing into the lung portion.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-09-24 | 2005-03-26 | 2005-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-09-24 | 2009-03-26 | 2009-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-09-24 | 2013-03-26 | 2013-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |