US6416554B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Lung reduction apparatus and method
Assignee: Gyrus ACMI Inc
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Filing: 1999-08-24
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Granted: 2002-07-09
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Expires: 2019-08-24
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method reduces the size of a lung. The apparatus includes a jacket of flexible fabric configured to cover at least a portion of the lung. A lace, carried by the jacket, collapses the jacket about the lung portion. The jacket may further include a drawstring circumscribing the jacket at the base for closing the open base of the jacket about the lung portion. The collapsing of the jacket may be employed for both reducing the size of the lung and maintaining the lung in a reduced size condition or the lung portion may be deflated prior to the placement of the jacket over the lung portion, in which case, the jacket serves to prevent re-expansion of the lung portion.
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 18:14
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/00234; A61B17/12; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/0063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
45 words
An implantable apparatus for reducing the size of a lung comprising: a jacket of flexible fabric configured to be implanted and to cover only a portion of a lung; and collapsing means for collapsing the jacket about the lung portion to collapse the lung portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
45 words
An implantable apparatus for reducing the size of a lung comprising: a jacket of flexible fabric configured to be implanted and to cover only a portion of a lung; and collapsing means for collapsing the jacket about the lung portion to collapse the lung portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flexible fabric is an open mesh material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the jacket includes an opening for applying the jacket to the lung portion, and a closed end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
An implantable apparatus for reducing the size of a lung comprising: a jacket of flexible fabric configured to be implanted and to cover at least a portion of a lung; and collapsing means for collapsing the jacket about the lung portion, the jacket including an opening for applying the jacket to the lung portion, and a base defining the opening and being dimensioned to be applied over and to cover the lung portion to be reduced in size.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
An implantable apparatus for reducing the size of a lung comprising: a jacket of flexible fabric configured to be implanted and to cover at least a portion of a lung; and collapsing means for collapsing the jacket about the lung portion, the jacket including an opening for applying the jacket to the lung portion, and a base defining the opening and being dimensioned to be applied over and to cover the lung portion to be reduced in size.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the collapsing means is carried by the jacket and comprises at least one lace extending from the closed end towards the base, the at least one lace including a cord having a pair of free ends which, when drawn, collapse the jacket about the lung portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further including a guide tube having a distal end and a proximal end and wherein the free ends of the cord are threaded from the distal end of the guide tube to and through the proximal end of the guide tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the distal end of the guide tube is closely adjacent the base of the jacket.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the collapsing means includes a draw string circumscribing the jacket at the base, the draw string having a pair of free ends which, when drawn, close the open base of the jacket about the lung portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flexible fabric is formed of polyester.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
41 words
A method of reducing the size of a lung, the method including the steps of: disposing a jacket of flexible fabric over only a portion of a lung; and collapsing the jacket about the lung portion to collapse the lung portion.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
41 words
A method of reducing the size of a lung, the method including the steps of: disposing a jacket of flexible fabric over only a portion of a lung; and collapsing the jacket about the lung portion to collapse the lung portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the flexible fabric is an open mesh material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the open mesh material is a polyester mesh.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 10 including the step of providing the jacket with a closed end and an opening to permit disposing the jacket over the lung portion.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of reducing the size of a lung, the method including the steps of: disposing a jacket of flexible fabric over at least a portion of a lung; providing the jacket with a closed end and an opening to permit disposing the jacket over the lung portion; and collapsing the jacket about the lung portion to collapse the lung portion, wherein the collapsing step includes lacing a cord on the jacket from the closed end towards the opening, the cord when laced having a pair of free ends, and pulling on the free ends of the cord to cause the jacket to collapse about the lung portion.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of reducing the size of a lung, the method including the steps of: disposing a jacket of flexible fabric over at least a portion of a lung; providing the jacket with a closed end and an opening to permit disposing the jacket over the lung portion; and collapsing the jacket about the lung portion to collapse the lung portion, wherein the collapsing step includes lacing a cord on the jacket from the closed end towards the opening, the cord when laced having a pair of free ends, and pulling on the free ends of the cord to cause the jacket to collapse about the lung portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the collapsing step further includes tying the free ends of the cord together after the jacket is collapsed about the lung portion.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of reducing the size of a lung, the method including the steps of: disposing a jacket of flexible fabric over at least a portion of a lung; providing the jacket with a closed end and an opening to permit disposing the jacket over the lung portion; and collapsing the jacket about the lung portion to collapse the lung portion, wherein the collapsing step includes circumscribing the opening with a cord, the cord having a pair of free ends, and pulling on the free ends of the cord to collapse the opening of the jacket about the lung portion.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of reducing the size of a lung, the method including the steps of: disposing a jacket of flexible fabric over at least a portion of a lung; providing the jacket with a closed end and an opening to permit disposing the jacket over the lung portion; and collapsing the jacket about the lung portion to collapse the lung portion, wherein the collapsing step includes circumscribing the opening with a cord, the cord having a pair of free ends, and pulling on the free ends of the cord to collapse the opening of the jacket about the lung portion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the collapsing step further includes tying the free ends of the cord together after the opening of the jacket is collapsed about the lung portion.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 10 including the further step of deflating the lung portion prior to disposing the jacket over the lung portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-07-08 | 2006-01-07 | 2006-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-08 | 2010-01-07 | 2010-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-08 | 2014-01-07 | 2014-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |