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US7412977B2 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: 2008-08-19
•
Expires: 2023-03-06
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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 J. Fields
  • 👤 Ronald Hundertmark
  • 👤 John McCutcheon

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 10:00
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: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 96 words
A method of regulating fluid flow for a targeted lung region, comprising: identifying a targeted lung region; implanting a first flow control element in a bronchial passageway that provides direct fluid flow to the targeted lung region; identifying at least one collateral pathway that provides collateral fluid flow to the targeted lung region; and performing an intervention within the lung to substantially prevent the identified collateral pathway from providing collateral fluid flow to the targeted lung region, wherein performing an intervention comprises inserting a glue into the lung to at least partially seal the collateral pathway.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 96 words
A method of regulating fluid flow for a targeted lung region, comprising: identifying a targeted lung region; implanting a first flow control element in a bronchial passageway that provides direct fluid flow to the targeted lung region; identifying at least one collateral pathway that provides collateral fluid flow to the targeted lung region; and performing an intervention within the lung to substantially prevent the identified collateral pathway from providing collateral fluid flow to the targeted lung region, wherein performing an intervention comprises inserting a glue into the lung to at least partially seal the collateral pathway.
Claim 3
Independent Claim 95 words
A method of regulating fluid flow for a targeted lung region, comprising: identifying a targeted lung region; implanting a first flow control element in a bronchial passageway that provides direct fluid flow to the targeted lung region; identifying at least one collateral pathway that provides collateral fluid flow to the targeted lung region; and performing an intervention within the lung to substantially prevent the identified collateral pathway from providing collateral fluid flow to the targeted lung region, wherein performing an intervention comprises inserting a sclerosing agent into the lung to cause sclerosis in lung tissue.
Claim 4
Independent Claim 95 words
A method of regulating fluid flow for a targeted lung region, comprising: identifying a targeted lung region; implanting a first flow control element in a bronchial passageway that provides direct fluid flow to the targeted lung region; identifying at least one collateral pathway that provides collateral fluid flow to the targeted lung region; and performing an intervention within the lung to substantially prevent the identified collateral pathway from providing collateral fluid flow to the targeted lung region, wherein performing an intervention comprises inserting a sclerosing agent into the lung to cause sclerosis in lung tissue.
Claim 5
Independent Claim 96 words
A method of regulating fluid flow for a targeted lung region, comprising: identifying a targeted lung region; implanting a first flow control element in a bronchial passageway that provides direct fluid flow to the targeted lung region; identifying at least one collateral pathway that provides collateral fluid flow to the targeted lung region; and performing an intervention within the lung to substantially prevent the identified collateral pathway from providing collateral fluid flow to the targeted lung region, wherein performing an intervention comprises inserting a fibrosing agent in the lung to promote fibrosis in the lung tissue.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 96 words
A method of regulating fluid flow for a targeted lung region, comprising: identifying a targeted lung region; implanting a first flow control element in a bronchial passageway that provides direct fluid flow to the targeted lung region; identifying at least one collateral pathway that provides collateral fluid flow to the targeted lung region; and performing an intervention within the lung to substantially prevent the identified collateral pathway from providing collateral fluid flow to the targeted lung region, wherein performing an intervention comprises inserting a fibrosing agent in the lung to promote fibrosis in the lung tissue.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 97 words
A method of regulating fluid flow for a targeted lung region, comprising: identifying a targeted lung region; implanting a first flow control element in a bronchial passageway that provides direct fluid flow to the targeted lung region; identifying at least one collateral pathway that provides collateral fluid flow to the targeted lung region; and performing an intervention within the lung to substantially prevent the identified collateral pathway from providing collateral fluid flow to the targeted lung region, wherein performing an intervention comprises inserting a foam into the lung, wherein the foam expands to occlude the collateral pathway.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 97 words
A method of regulating fluid flow for a targeted lung region, comprising: identifying a targeted lung region; implanting a first flow control element in a bronchial passageway that provides direct fluid flow to the targeted lung region; identifying at least one collateral pathway that provides collateral fluid flow to the targeted lung region; and performing an intervention within the lung to substantially prevent the identified collateral pathway from providing collateral fluid flow to the targeted lung region, wherein performing an intervention comprises inserting a foam into the lung, wherein the foam expands to occlude the collateral pathway.
Claim 9
Independent Claim 174 words
A method of regulating fluid flow for a targeted lung region, comprising: identifying a targeted lung region; implanting a first flow control element in a bronchial passageway that provides direct fluid flow to the targeted lung region; identifying at least one collateral pathway that provides collateral fluid flow to the targeted lung region; and performing an intervention within the lung to substantially prevent the identified collateral pathway from providing collateral fluid flow to the targeted lung region, wherein performing an intervention comprises: (a) deploying a delivery catheter through a bronchial tree into the targeted lung region such that a distal end of the delivery catheter is positioned near the targeted lung region; (b) puncturing a bronchial wall of a bronchial passageway located near the targeted lung region; (c) passing the distal end of the delivery catheter through the bronchial wall into the target lung region; and (d) flowing a 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.
Claim 10
Independent Claim 174 words
A method of regulating fluid flow for a targeted lung region, comprising: identifying a targeted lung region; implanting a first flow control element in a bronchial passageway that provides direct fluid flow to the targeted lung region; identifying at least one collateral pathway that provides collateral fluid flow to the targeted lung region; and performing an intervention within the lung to substantially prevent the identified collateral pathway from providing collateral fluid flow to the targeted lung region, wherein performing an intervention comprises: (a) deploying a delivery catheter through a bronchial tree into the targeted lung region such that a distal end of the delivery catheter is positioned near the targeted lung region; (b) puncturing a bronchial wall of a bronchial passageway located near the targeted lung region; (c) passing the distal end of the delivery catheter through the bronchial wall into the target lung region; and (d) flowing a 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.
Claim 11
Independent Claim 106 words
A method of regulating fluid flow for a targeted lung region, comprising: identifying a targeted lung region; implanting a first flow control element in a bronchial passageway that provides direct fluid flow to the targeted lung region; identifying at least one collateral pathway that provides collateral fluid flow to the targeted lung region; and performing an intervention within the lung to substantially prevent the identified collateral pathway from providing collateral fluid flow to the targeted lung region, wherein performing an intervention comprises applying energy to lung tissue, wherein the energy induces a reaction in lung tissue that substantially prevents collateral flow into the targeted lung region.
Claim 12
Independent Claim 106 words
A method of regulating fluid flow for a targeted lung region, comprising: identifying a targeted lung region; implanting a first flow control element in a bronchial passageway that provides direct fluid flow to the targeted lung region; identifying at least one collateral pathway that provides collateral fluid flow to the targeted lung region; and performing an intervention within the lung to substantially prevent the identified collateral pathway from providing collateral fluid flow to the targeted lung region, wherein performing an intervention comprises applying energy to lung tissue, wherein the energy induces a reaction in lung tissue that substantially prevents collateral flow into the targeted lung region.

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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) 2011-08-19 2012-02-18 2012-08-19 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2015-08-19 2016-02-18 2016-08-19 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2019-08-19 2020-02-18 2020-08-19 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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