US20030051733A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for endobronchial diagnosis
Assignee: Pulmonx Corp
•
Filing: 2002-09-10
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2022-09-10
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides systems, methods, devices and kits for assessing the level of pulmonary disease in individual lung compartments. A lung compartment comprises a subportion of a lung, such as a lobe, a segment or a subsegment, for example. By measuring individual lung compartments, the level of disease of the pulmonary system may be more precisely defined by determining values of disease parameters reflective of individual subportions or compartments of a lung. Likewise, compartments may be separately imaged to provide further measurement information. Once individual compartments are characterized, they may be compared and ranked based on a number of variables reflecting, for example, level of disease or need for treatment. Such comparison may be aided by simultaneous display of such variables or images on a visual display. Further, the same tests may be performed on the lung as a whole or on both lungs and to determine the affect of the diseased lung compartments on the overall lung performance. In addition, the diseased lung compartments may be temporarily isolated and the measurement tests performed to determine the affect of the isolation on overall lung performance. As a result, the most beneficial treatment options may be selected.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Kotmel
- 👤 Peter Soltesz
- 👤 Anthony Wondka
- 👤 Rodney Perkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:46
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/68; A61B5/6846; A61B5/6847; A61B5/6852; A61B5/6853; A61B5/08; A61B5/0813; A61B5/082; A61B5/083; A61B5/085; A61B5/087; A61B5/72; A61B5/7271; A61B5/7278; A61B5/74; A61B5/742; A61B6/00; A61B6/48; A61B6/481; A61B6/485; A61B8/00; A61B8/12; A61M; A61M16/00; A61M16/04; A61M16/0402; A61M16/0404; A61M16/0434; A61M16/0454; A61M16/0459; A61M16/0486; A61M25/00; A61M25/0021; A61M25/0023; A61M25/0026; A61M25/10; A61B2562/00; A61B2562/02; A61B2562/0247; A61M16/0411; A61M2016/0413; A61M2025/1043; A61M2025/1052
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 76
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
1 . A pulmonary diagnostic system comprising: at least one sensor which generates measurement data reflecting a respiratory feature of a lung compartment; an endobronchial pulmonary diagnostic device connectable with a pulmonary catheter which is configured for accessing the lung compartment, the device comprising means for transferring fluid or gas to or from the lung compartment through the pulmonary catheter, means for receiving the measurement data from the sensor, and means for processing the measurement data; and at least one data receiving component which receives the processed data.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
1 . A pulmonary diagnostic system comprising: at least one sensor which generates measurement data reflecting a respiratory feature of a lung compartment; an endobronchial pulmonary diagnostic device connectable with a pulmonary catheter which is configured for accessing the lung compartment, the device comprising means for transferring fluid or gas to or from the lung compartment through the pulmonary catheter, means for receiving the measurement data from the sensor, and means for processing the measurement data; and at least one data receiving component which receives the processed data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
2 . A system as in claim 1 , wherein the respiratory feature comprises pressure, flow rate, velocity, oxygen concentration, carbon dioxide concentration, or noble gas concentration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
3 . A system as in claim 1 , wherein the means for processing the measurement data comprises an analyzing means which analyzes the measurement data.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
4 . A system as in claim 3 , wherein the measuring component comprises a visual display which displays the processed data in visual form.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
5 . A system as in claim 4 , wherein the visual form includes graphs, charts, tables, numbers, images, or figures.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
6 . A system as in claim 3 , wherein the analyzing means calculates an average pressure value, a volume value, compliance value, an average tidal volume value, and a resistance value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
7 . A system as in claim 1 , wherein the means for processing the measurement data converts the measurement data into a computer readable format.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
8 . A system as in claim 7 , wherein the data receiving component comprises a recording means which records the measurement data onto computer readable medium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
9 . A system as in claim 8 , wherein the computer readable medium comprises disks, diskettes, CD-ROMs and tapes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
10 . A system as in claim 1 , further comprising at least one measuring component comprising a source of the fluid or gas and a means for generating flow of the fluid or gas.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
11 . A system as in claim 10 , wherein the means for transferring fluid or gas comprises a conduit between the means for generating flow and the catheter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
12 . A system as in claim 10 , wherein the gas comprises air, oxygen, carbon dioxide, noble gas, radiopaque gas, polarized gas or a mixture of any of these.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
13 . A system as in claim 10 , wherein the fluid comprises radiopaque contrast solution, water, or ultrasonic imaging fluid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
14 . A system as in claim 1 , wherein the means for transferring fluid or gas comprises a source of the fluid or gas and a means for generating flow of the fluid or gas.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
15 . A system as in claim 14 , wherein the gas comprises air, oxygen, carbon dioxide, noble gas, radiopaque gas, polarized gas or a mixture of any of these.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
16 . A system as in claim 14 , wherein the fluid comprises radiopaque contrast solution, water, or ultrasonic imaging fluid.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
17 . A system as in claim 1 , further comprising the pulmonary catheter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
18 . A system as in claim 17 , wherein the sensor is disposed on or in the pulmonary catheter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
19 . A system as in claim 18 , wherein pulmonary catheter has a proximal end connectable with the device and a distal tip and wherein the sensor is disposed near the distal tip.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
20 . A system as in claim 1 , wherein the sensor is disposed within the device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
21 . A system as in claim 1 , further comprising at least one measuring component and wherein the sensor is disposed within the measuring component.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
176 words
22 . A pulmonary diagnostic system comprising: at least one pressure sensor which generates pressure measurement data reflecting the pressure within a lung compartment; at least one flow sensor which generates flow measurement data reflecting flow to or from the lung compartment; a physiological testing unit comprising a source of fluid or gas, means for generating flow of the fluid or gas, means for receiving the pressure and flow measurement data from the sensors, and means for processing the pressure and flow measurement data; a data receiving component which receives the processed pressure and flow measurement data; and an endobronchial pulmonary diagnostic device connectable with the physiological testing unit, the measuring component and a pulmonary catheter which is configured for accessing the lung compartment, the device comprising means for transferring the fluid or gas to or from the lung compartment, and means for controlling the generation of flow and the receiving of pressure and flow measurement data by the physiological testing unit and the receiving of processed pressure and flow measurement data by the measuring component.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
176 words
22 . A pulmonary diagnostic system comprising: at least one pressure sensor which generates pressure measurement data reflecting the pressure within a lung compartment; at least one flow sensor which generates flow measurement data reflecting flow to or from the lung compartment; a physiological testing unit comprising a source of fluid or gas, means for generating flow of the fluid or gas, means for receiving the pressure and flow measurement data from the sensors, and means for processing the pressure and flow measurement data; a data receiving component which receives the processed pressure and flow measurement data; and an endobronchial pulmonary diagnostic device connectable with the physiological testing unit, the measuring component and a pulmonary catheter which is configured for accessing the lung compartment, the device comprising means for transferring the fluid or gas to or from the lung compartment, and means for controlling the generation of flow and the receiving of pressure and flow measurement data by the physiological testing unit and the receiving of processed pressure and flow measurement data by the measuring component.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
50 words
23 . A system as in claim 22 , wherein the means for processing the pressure and flow measurement data comprises an analyzing means comprising means for calculating volume measurement data from the flow measurement data and means for generating a pressure-volume curve from the pressure and volume measurement data.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
24 . A system as in claim 23 , wherein the data receiving component comprises a visual display which displays the pressure-volume curve.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
25 . A system as in claim 23 , wherein the analyzing means further comprises means for calculating a compliance value.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
38 words
26 . A system as in claim 23 , wherein the analyzing means further comprises means for calculating a compliance value, average tidal volume value or resistance value with the use of the pressure and volume measurement data.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
62 words
27 . A system as in claim 22 , further comprising a sensor which measures the concentration of a gas, a gas dilution unit connectable with the device comprising a source of noble gas, means for generating flow of the noble gas, means for receiving the gas concentration measurement data from the sensor, and means for processing the gas concentration measurement data.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
63 words
28 . A system as in claim 27 , wherein the measuring component further receives the processed gas concentration measurement data, and the device further comprises means for controlling the generation of flow of the noble gas and the receiving of gas concentration measurement data by the gas dilution unit and the receiving of processed gas concentration measurement data by the measuring component.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
44 words
29 . A system as in claim 27 , wherein the sensor which measures the concentration of gas comprises a membrane chemical transfer sensor, a photochemical reaction sensor, an electropotential sensor, a microchip, a laser diode, an optical transmittance sensor or a piezoelectric sensor.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
41 words
30 . A system as in claim 27 , wherein the means for processing the gas concentration measurement data comprises an analyzing means comprising means for calculating the initial volume of air in the compartment using the gas concentration measurement data.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
37 words
31 . A system as in claim 22 , further comprising an imaging unit connectable with the device comprising a source of imaging fluid or gas, and means for generating flow of the imaging fluid or gas.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
32 . A system as in claim 31 , wherein the imaging unit or the device is connectable with a mechanism for generating at least one image of the compartment.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
48 words
33 . A system as in claim 32 , wherein the measuring component further comprises means for receiving the image and the device further comprises means for controlling the generation of flow of the imaging fluid or gas and the receiving of the image by the measuring component.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
34 . A system as in claim 32 , wherein the fluid or gas is radiopaque and the image is generated with the use of fluoroscopy.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
28 words
35 . A system as in claim 32 , wherein the fluid or gas is polarized and the image is generated with the use of magnetic resonance imaging.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
36 . A system as in claim 32 , wherein the fluid is ultrasonic imaging fluid and the image is generated with the use of ultrasound.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
40 words
37 . A system as in claim 32 , wherein the mechanism generates more than one image of the compartment and the measuring component further comprises means for generating a three dimensional composite image of the compartment from the images.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
80 words
38 . A pulmonary diagnostic system comprising: a pulmonary catheter configured for accessing a lung compartment through a lung passageway; at least one velocity sensor disposed near the tip of the catheter which generates air velocity measurement data characterizing the lung compartment; an endobronchial pulmonary diagnostic device connectable with the catheter comprising means for receiving the measurement data from the sensor, and means for processing the measurement data; and at least one data receiving component which receives the processed data.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
80 words
38 . A pulmonary diagnostic system comprising: a pulmonary catheter configured for accessing a lung compartment through a lung passageway; at least one velocity sensor disposed near the tip of the catheter which generates air velocity measurement data characterizing the lung compartment; an endobronchial pulmonary diagnostic device connectable with the catheter comprising means for receiving the measurement data from the sensor, and means for processing the measurement data; and at least one data receiving component which receives the processed data.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
95 words
39 . A pulmonary diagnostic system comprising: a pulmonary catheter configured for accessing a lung compartment through a lung passageway; at least one signal emitting sensor disposed on the catheter; at least one receiver positionable on the exterior of a body which receives the signal emitted from the sensor to generate resistivity measurement data; an endobronchial pulmonary diagnostic device connectable with the catheter and the receiver comprising means for receiving the measurement data from the receiver, and means for processing the measurement data; and at least one data receiving component which receives the processed data.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
95 words
39 . A pulmonary diagnostic system comprising: a pulmonary catheter configured for accessing a lung compartment through a lung passageway; at least one signal emitting sensor disposed on the catheter; at least one receiver positionable on the exterior of a body which receives the signal emitted from the sensor to generate resistivity measurement data; an endobronchial pulmonary diagnostic device connectable with the catheter and the receiver comprising means for receiving the measurement data from the receiver, and means for processing the measurement data; and at least one data receiving component which receives the processed data.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
26 words
40 . A system as in claim 39 , wherein the means for processing the measurement data comprises an analyzing means which analyzes the measurement data.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
31 words
41 . A system as in claim 40 , wherein the compartment comprises lung tissue and the means for analyzing means calculates the resistance of the lung tissue of the compartment.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
96 words
42 . A pulmonary diagnostic system comprising: a pulmonary catheter configured for accessing a lung compartment through a lung passageway; at least one signal emitting sensor disposed on the catheter; a mapping unit connectable with the device comprising means for receiving the signal from the sensor, and means for processing the signal; at least one data receiving component which receives the processed signal; and an endobronchial pulmonary diagnostic device connectable with the catheter, the mapping unit and the data receiving component comprising means for controlling the receiving of the processed signal by the data receiving component.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
96 words
42 . A pulmonary diagnostic system comprising: a pulmonary catheter configured for accessing a lung compartment through a lung passageway; at least one signal emitting sensor disposed on the catheter; a mapping unit connectable with the device comprising means for receiving the signal from the sensor, and means for processing the signal; at least one data receiving component which receives the processed signal; and an endobronchial pulmonary diagnostic device connectable with the catheter, the mapping unit and the data receiving component comprising means for controlling the receiving of the processed signal by the data receiving component.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
35 words
43 . A system as in claim 42 , wherein the means for processing the signal comprises analyzing means which analyzes the signal to determine the location of the sensor when within the lung passageway.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
28 words
44 . A system as in claim 43 , wherein the data receiving component comprises a visual display which displays the location of the sensor in visual form.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
80 words
45 . A method for assessment of a lung compartment comprising the steps of: providing a pulmonary diagnostic system comprising an endobronchial pulmonary diagnostic device and at least one measuring component connected with the device; connecting a pulmonary catheter to the device, said catheter having a proximal end and a distal end; introducing the distal end of the catheter to a compartment of a lung; and generating measurement data characterizing the compartment of the lung with the pulmonary diagnostic system.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
80 words
45 . A method for assessment of a lung compartment comprising the steps of: providing a pulmonary diagnostic system comprising an endobronchial pulmonary diagnostic device and at least one measuring component connected with the device; connecting a pulmonary catheter to the device, said catheter having a proximal end and a distal end; introducing the distal end of the catheter to a compartment of a lung; and generating measurement data characterizing the compartment of the lung with the pulmonary diagnostic system.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
31 words
46 . A method as in claim 45 , wherein the compartment comprises a lung segment and introducing comprises advancing the distal end through a bronchial passageway to the lung segment.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
31 words
47 . A method as in claim 45 , wherein the compartment comprises a lung lobe and introducing comprises advancing the distal end through a bronchial passageway to the lung lobe.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
35 words
48 . A method as in claim 45 , wherein the measuring component comprises a pulmonary mechanics unit and the step of generating measurement data comprises generating pressure data or volume data characterizing the compartment.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
55 words
49 . A method as in claim 45 , wherein the measuring component comprises a physiological testing unit and the step of generating measurement data comprises generating airflow movement data characterizing airflow into or out of the compartment, generating oxygen saturation data, generating carbon dioxide saturation data, or generating electrophysiological measurements characterizing the lung compartment.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
31 words
50 . A method as in claim 45 , wherein the measuring component comprises a gas dilution unit and the step of gathering measurement data comprises performing functional residual capacity testing.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
34 words
51 . A method as in claim 45 , wherein the measuring component comprises an imaging unit and the step of gathering measurement data comprises generating at least one image of the lung compartment.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
30 words
52 . A method as in claim 51 , wherein the step of gathering measurement data further comprises combining images to generate a composite three-dimensional image of the lung compartment.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
37 words
53 . A method as in claim 45 , wherein the measuring component comprises a mapping unit and the step of generating measurement data comprises generating positioning data reflecting the position of the catheter in the compartment.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
43 words
54 . A method as in claim 45 , wherein the pulmonary diagnostic system further comprises a data receiving component comprising a visual display and the step of generating measurement data comprises displaying the measurement data characterizing the compartment on the visual display.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
39 words
55 . A method as in claim 45 , further comprising: repositioning the catheter to another compartment of the lung; and generating measurement data characterizing the another compartment of the lung with the use of the pulmonary diagnostic system.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
42 words
56 . A method as in claim 55 , wherein the pulmonary diagnostic system further comprises a data receiving component comprising a visual display, the method further comprising displaying the data characterizing the compartment and the other compartment on the visual display.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
28 words
57 . A method as in claim 56 , wherein the step of displaying the data comprises simultaneously displaying the data characterizing the compartment and the other compartment.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
24 words
58 . A method as in claim 55 , further comprising comparing the data characterizing the compartment and the other compartment to each other.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
14 words
59 . A method as in claim 58 , further comprising ranking the compartments.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
20 words
60 . A method as in claim 45 , further comprising performing lung volume reduction treatment to reduce the compartment.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
88 words
61 . A method for assessment of a lung comprising the steps of: providing a pulmonary diagnostic system comprising an endobronchial pulmonary diagnostic device and at least one measuring component connected with the device; connecting a blockage catheter to the device, said catheter having a proximal end and a distal end; introducing the distal end of the blockage catheter to a target compartment of the lung and isolating the target compartment; and generating measurement data characterizing the lung having the isolated target compartment with the pulmonary diagnostic system.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
88 words
61 . A method for assessment of a lung comprising the steps of: providing a pulmonary diagnostic system comprising an endobronchial pulmonary diagnostic device and at least one measuring component connected with the device; connecting a blockage catheter to the device, said catheter having a proximal end and a distal end; introducing the distal end of the blockage catheter to a target compartment of the lung and isolating the target compartment; and generating measurement data characterizing the lung having the isolated target compartment with the pulmonary diagnostic system.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
39 words
62 . A method as in claim 61 , wherein the blockage catheter has multiple distal ends and the introducing step comprises introducing each distal end to a different target compartment of the lung and isolating the target compartments.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
19 words
63 . A method as in claim 61 , wherein measurement data comprises images, spirometry data, or plethysmography data.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
36 words
64 . A method as in claim 61 , further comprising introducing an access catheter to a larger compartment of the lung which includes the target compartment and performing the generating step with the access catheter.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
22 words
65 . A method as in claim 61 , further comprising performing lung volume reduction treatment to reduce the isolated target compartment.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
84 words
66 . A kit comprising: a pulmonary diagnostic system comprising an endobronchial pulmonary diagnostic device and at least one measuring component connected with the device; and instructions for use setting forth methods including the steps of: connecting a pulmonary catheter to the device, said catheter having a proximal end and a distal end; introducing the distal end of the catheter to a compartment of a lung; and gathering measurement data characterizing the compartment of the lung with the use of the pulmonary diagnostic system.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
84 words
66 . A kit comprising: a pulmonary diagnostic system comprising an endobronchial pulmonary diagnostic device and at least one measuring component connected with the device; and instructions for use setting forth methods including the steps of: connecting a pulmonary catheter to the device, said catheter having a proximal end and a distal end; introducing the distal end of the catheter to a compartment of a lung; and gathering measurement data characterizing the compartment of the lung with the use of the pulmonary diagnostic system.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
14 words
67 . A kit as in claim 66 , further comprising a pulmonary catheter.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
21 words
68 . A kit as in claim 67 , wherein the pulmonary catheter comprises an access catheter, microcatheter, or blockage catheter.
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