Patent US6398775B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6398775B1
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US
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Apparatus and method for isolated lung access
Assignee: Pulmonx Corp
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Filing: 1999-10-21
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Granted: 2002-06-04
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Expires: 2019-10-21
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus, systems, methods, and kits are provided for isolating a target lung segment and treating that segment, usually by drug delivery or lavage. The systems include at least a lobar or sub-lobar isolation catheter which is introduced beyond a second lung bifurcation (i.e., beyond the first bifurcation in a lobe of the lung) and which can occlude a bronchial passage at that point. An inner catheter is usually introduced through the isolation catheter and used in cooperation with the isolation catheter for delivering and/or removing drugs or washing liquids from the isolated lung region. Optionally, the inner catheter will also have an occluding member near its distal end for further isolation of a target region within the lung.
Inventors
- 👤 Rodney A. Perkins
- 👤 Peter P. Soltesz
- 👤 Robert Kotmel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:15
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0021; A61M25/0023; A61M25/0026; A61M25/003; A61M1/00; A61M1/71; A61M1/77; A61M1/84; A61M1/85; A61M16/00; A61M16/04; A61M16/0402; A61M16/0404; A61M16/0434; A61M16/0454; A61M16/0459; A61M16/0463; A61M16/0475; A61M16/0477; A61M16/0479; A61M16/0484; A61M16/0486; A61M25/01; A61M25/06; A61M25/0662; A61M2025/0034; A61M2025/0036; A61M25/10; A61M2025/1043; A61M2025/1052; A61M2205/00; A61M2205/58; A61M2205/587; A61M2210/00; A61M2210/10; A61M2210/1025; A61M2210/1039; A61M25/0032
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for delivering a substance to an isolated region of the lung, said method comprising: positioning a visualizing tracheal tube in a trachea; positioning a distal end of an isolation catheter through a lumen of the visualizing tracheal tube within a bronchial passage beyond a first branching within a right or left lung; positioning an inner catheter through a main lumen of the isolation catheter so that a distal end of the inner catheter lies in a bronchiole distally beyond the distal end of the isolation catheter; expanding an occlusion element near the distal end of the isolation catheter within the bronchial passage to isolate a target region; providing a substance; and delivering the substance through the inner catheter to the isolated region of the lung.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for delivering a substance to an isolated region of the lung, said method comprising: positioning a visualizing tracheal tube in a trachea; positioning a distal end of an isolation catheter through a lumen of the visualizing tracheal tube within a bronchial passage beyond a first branching within a right or left lung; positioning an inner catheter through a main lumen of the isolation catheter so that a distal end of the inner catheter lies in a bronchiole distally beyond the distal end of the isolation catheter; expanding an occlusion element near the distal end of the isolation catheter within the bronchial passage to isolate a target region; providing a substance; and delivering the substance through the inner catheter to the isolated region of the lung.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as in claim 1 , wherein the substance comprises pharmaceutical.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 1 or 2 , wherein the substance comprises an aerosol or gas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 1 or 2 , wherein the substance comprises a liquid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as in claim 1 , further comprising aspirating the substance through the isolation catheter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 1 , further comprising expanding an occlusion cuff on the visualizing tracheal tube and controlling ventilation of the patient's lungs through the visualizing tracheal tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 6 , wherein the isolated region and the remainder of the lung are maintained at different pressures.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 7 , wherein the pressure within the isolated region is maintained at a higher pressure than the remainder of the lung.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 7 , wherein the pressure within the isolated region is maintained at a lower pressure than the remainder of the lung.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as in claim 1 , further comprising positioning a guidewire to a point beyond the location in the bronchial passage where the occlusion element is to be expanded, wherein positioning the isolation catheter comprises introducing the isolation catheter over the guidewire.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 10 , further comprising viewing the guidewire using optical and illumination fibers carried by the isolation catheter as the guidewire is steered through bifurcations in the lungs.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 10 , further comprising viewing the guidewire fluoroscopically as the guidewire is steered through bifurcations in the lung.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 1 , further comprising drawing or advancing the inner catheter through the bronchiole while delivering the substance.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 1 , further comprising repositioning the inner catheter within the isolated region and delivering the substance to two or more locations.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as in claim 1 , further comprising expanding an occlusion element near the distal end of the inner catheter to isolate a distal portion of the bronchial passage so that an isolated region is disposed between the occlusion element on the isolation catheter and the occlusion element on the inner catheter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 15 , wherein the substance is delivered through one or more delivering ports on the inner catheter proximal to the occlusion element.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for lavaging an isolated region of a lung, said method comprising: positioning a visualizing endotracheal tube in a trachea; positioning a distal end of an isolation catheter through a lumen of the visualizing tracheal tube within a bronchial passage beyond a first branching within a right or left lung; positioning an inner catheter through a main lumen of the isolation catheter so that a distal end of the inner catheter lies in a bronchiole distally beyond the distal end of the isolation catheter; expanding an occlusion element near the distal end of the isolation catheter within the bronchial passage to isolate a target region of the lung; infusing a washing liquid through one of the inner catheter or the isolation catheter to the isolated region of the lung; and aspirating the washing liquid from the isolated region through the other of the inner catheter or the isolation catheter.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for lavaging an isolated region of a lung, said method comprising: positioning a visualizing endotracheal tube in a trachea; positioning a distal end of an isolation catheter through a lumen of the visualizing tracheal tube within a bronchial passage beyond a first branching within a right or left lung; positioning an inner catheter through a main lumen of the isolation catheter so that a distal end of the inner catheter lies in a bronchiole distally beyond the distal end of the isolation catheter; expanding an occlusion element near the distal end of the isolation catheter within the bronchial passage to isolate a target region of the lung; infusing a washing liquid through one of the inner catheter or the isolation catheter to the isolated region of the lung; and aspirating the washing liquid from the isolated region through the other of the inner catheter or the isolation catheter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 17 , wherein the washing liquid is infused through the inner catheter and aspirated through the isolation catheter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 17 , wherein the washing liquid is infused through the isolation catheter and aspirated through the inner catheter.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 17 , wherein the washing liquid is alternately infused through the inner catheter and the isolation catheter and aspirated through the isolation catheter and the inner catheter.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as in claim 17 , wherein a bolus of the washing liquid is introduced and held within the isolated region for a retention time period prior to initiating aspiration.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 17 , wherein the infusing and the aspirating of the washing liquid are performed simultaneously.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 17 , wherein the washing liquid comprises a pharmaceutical substance.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 17 , further comprising expanding an occlusion cuff on the visualizing tracheal tube and ventilating the patient's lungs through the visualizing tracheal tube at a controlled pressure.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 24 , further comprising controlling pressure of the target isolated region, wherein the isolated region and the remainder of the lung may be controlled at different pressures.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 25 , wherein the pressure within the isolated region is maintained at a higher pressure than the remainder of the lung.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 25 , wherein the pressure within the isolated region is maintained at a lower pressure than the remainder of the lung.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as in claim 17 , further comprising positioning a guidewire to a point beyond the location in the bronchial passage where the occlusion element is to be expanded, wherein positioning the isolation catheter comprises introducing the catheter over the guidewire.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 28 , further comprising viewing the guidewire using optical and illumination fibers carried by the isolation catheter as the guidewire is steered through bifurcations in the lungs.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 28 further comprising viewing the guidewire fluoroscopically as the guidewire is steered through bifurcations in the lung.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 17 , further comprising drawing or advancing the inner catheter through the bronchiole while delivering the washing liquid.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 17 , further comprising repositioning the inner catheter within the isolated region and delivering the washing liquid to two or more locations.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as in claim 17 , further comprising expanding an occlusion element near the distal end of the inner catheter to isolate a distal portion of the bronchial passage so that the isolated region is disposed between the occlusion element on the isolation catheter and the occlusion element on the inner catheter.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 33 , wherein the washing liquid is delivered through one or more delivering ports on the inner catheter proximal to the occlusion element.
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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) | 2005-06-03 | 2005-12-03 | 2006-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-06-03 | 2009-12-03 | 2010-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-06-03 | 2013-12-03 | 2014-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |