Patent US7155560B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US6679264B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6679264B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and devices for use in performing pulmonary procedures
Assignee: Pulmonx Corp
•
Filing: 2000-03-04
•
Granted: 2004-01-20
•
Expires: 2020-03-04
Abstract
Abstract Systems, methods and devices for performing pulmonary procedures, and in particular treating lung disease. A flow control element includes a valve that prevents airflow in the inhalation direction but permits airflow in the exhalation direction. The flow control element is guided to and positioned at the site by a bronchoscope that is introduced into the patient's trachea and used to view the lungs during delivery of the flow control element. The valve may include one, two or more valve elements, and it may be collapsible for easier delivery. A source of vacuum or suction may be used to increase the amount of fluid withdrawn from the lung tissue. A device for measuring hollow structures, such as bronchioles, and a device for removing a previously-placed flow control element are disclosed as well.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark E. Deem
- 👤 Hanson S. Gifford, III
- 👤 Ronald French
- 👤 Douglas Sutton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:00
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K15/00; F16K15/14; F16K15/144; F16K15/147; A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/12; A61B17/12022; A61B17/12099; A61B17/12104; A61B17/12131; A61B17/12168; A61B17/12172; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/04; A61F2/24; A61F2/2412; A61F2/2476; A61F2/82; A61F2/86; A61F2/90; A61F2/91; A61P; A61P1/00; A61P11/00; A61B17/22; A61B17/221; A61B2017/1205; A61B2017/2215; A61B90/00; A61B90/06; A61B2090/061; A61F2/2403; A61F2/2418; A61F2002/043; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0008; A61F2220/0016; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/005; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/912
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 84
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for treating a patient's lung, the method comprising steps of: (a) providing a flow control element which allows fluid flow in a first direction and limits fluid flow in a second direction, wherein the providing step is carried out by providing a valve configured to pump fluid in the first direction, the valve having a proximal valve portion, a distal valve portion, and a pumping chamber positioned between the proximal and distal valve portions; (b) positioning the flow control element at a desired location in a lung of a patient with the first direction corresponding to an exhalation direction and the second direction corresponding to an inhalation direction.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for treating a patient's lung, the method comprising steps of: (a) providing a flow control element which allows fluid flow in a first direction and limits fluid flow in a second direction, wherein the providing step is carried out by providing a valve configured to pump fluid in the first direction, the valve having a proximal valve portion, a distal valve portion, and a pumping chamber positioned between the proximal and distal valve portions; (b) positioning the flow control element at a desired location in a lung of a patient with the first direction corresponding to an exhalation direction and the second direction corresponding to an inhalation direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the positioning step is carried out by delivering the valve to the desired location in the lungs via the patient's trachea.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the positioning step is carried out by delivering the valve through an introducer positioned in the patient's trachea.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein the introducer comprises a bronchoscope having at least one working channel and a lens for visualizing a target site, and wherein the positioning step is carried out by introducing a delivery device supporting the valve into the working channel of the bronchoscope.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of removing the valve subsequent to carrying out the positioning step.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising, prior to carrying out the positioning step, determining the approximate size of the desired location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein the determining step is carried out using a measuring device, and further comprising selecting an appropriately sized flow control element based at least in part on the determined size of the location.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein the measuring device comprises means for determining an internal dimension of a bronchiole.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the valve is selected from the group consisting of duckbill, flapper, tricuspid, ball and needle valves.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of applying suction to at least part of the lung downstream of the valve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein the suction is applied intermittently.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein the valve is delivered through a working channel of a bronchoscope, and the suction is applied through another channel of the bronchoscope.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for treating a patient's lung, the method comprising steps of: (a) providing a flow control element which limits fluid flow in at least one direction; (b) positioning the flow control element at a location in a lung of a patient with the one direction substantially corresponding to an inhalation direction; and (c) removing the flow control element.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for treating a patient's lung, the method comprising steps of: (a) providing a flow control element which limits fluid flow in at least one direction; (b) positioning the flow control element at a location in a lung of a patient with the one direction substantially corresponding to an inhalation direction; and (c) removing the flow control element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the providing step is carried out by providing a flow control element that blocks fluid flow in the one direction while allowing fluid flow in another direction, and wherein the other direction corresponds to an exhalation direction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the removing step is carried out by removing the flow control element after a predetermined period of time.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the positioning step is carried out by introducing the flow control element through an introducer, the introducer having a first lumen through which the element is delivered to the location in the lung.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 16 , wherein the introducer comprises a bronchoscope and the first lumen corresponds to a working channel of the bronchoscope, and the positioning step is carried out by delivering the flow control element through the working channel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the providing step is carried out by providing a one-way valve that allows unimpeded fluid flow in the one direction and completely blocks fluid flow in the other direction.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 13 , further comprising the step of applying suction to a portion of the lung located downstream of the valve.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the providing step is carried out by providing a valve configured to pump fluid in the one direction.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 13 , further comprising the step of determining a size of the location in the lung prior to performing the positioning step.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
90 words
A system for treating a patient's lung, the system comprising: a measuring device for determining the approximate size of a hollow structure in a patient's lung, wherein the measuring device has a flexible shaft and at least one flexible measuring element that is moved into contact with the hollow structure; and a flow control element sized and configured to be positioned in a hollow structure located in a patient's lung, wherein the flow control element allows fluid flow in a first direction and controls fluid flow in a second direction.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
90 words
A system for treating a patient's lung, the system comprising: a measuring device for determining the approximate size of a hollow structure in a patient's lung, wherein the measuring device has a flexible shaft and at least one flexible measuring element that is moved into contact with the hollow structure; and a flow control element sized and configured to be positioned in a hollow structure located in a patient's lung, wherein the flow control element allows fluid flow in a first direction and controls fluid flow in a second direction.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 22 , further comprising a plurality of different size flow control elements adapted to be placed in different size hollow structures.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
74 words
A system for treating a patient's lung, the system comprising: a flow control element sized and configured to be positioned in a hollow structure located in a patient's lung, wherein the flow control element allows fluid flow in a first direction and controls fluid flow in a second direction; and a removal device for removing the flow control element from the hollow structure subsequent to positioning the flow control element in the hollow structure.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
74 words
A system for treating a patient's lung, the system comprising: a flow control element sized and configured to be positioned in a hollow structure located in a patient's lung, wherein the flow control element allows fluid flow in a first direction and controls fluid flow in a second direction; and a removal device for removing the flow control element from the hollow structure subsequent to positioning the flow control element in the hollow structure.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 24 , wherein the flow control element is configured to at least substantially prevents fluid flow in the second direction, and the removal device includes at least one grasping element configured to grasp the exterior of the flow control element.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for treating a patient's lung, the method comprising steps of: providing a flow control element which restricts fluid flow in at least a first direction, the flow control element being releasably coupled to a delivery device, wherein the delivery device has a sheath; placing an introducer in a bronchial passageway of a patient's lung; inserting a bronchial access device through the introducer, the bronchial access device having a first channel and a second channel; positioning the delivery device in the second channel; and deploying the flow control element at the treatment site, the deploying step comprising moving the sheath relative to the flow control element.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for treating a patient's lung, the method comprising steps of: providing a flow control element which restricts fluid flow in at least a first direction, the flow control element being releasably coupled to a delivery device, wherein the delivery device has a sheath; placing an introducer in a bronchial passageway of a patient's lung; inserting a bronchial access device through the introducer, the bronchial access device having a first channel and a second channel; positioning the delivery device in the second channel; and deploying the flow control element at the treatment site, the deploying step comprising moving the sheath relative to the flow control element.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 26 , further comprising visualizing a treatment site in the patient's lung through the first channel.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein the bronchial access device comprises a bronchoscope.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein the flow control element restricts flow in only the first direction.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 29 , wherein the flow control element comprises a valve.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 30 , wherein the valve is selected from the group consisting of duckbill, flapper, tricuspid, ball and needle valves.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein at least a portion of the flow control element has a first diameter before the deploying step and a second diameter when deployed at the treatment site, the first diameter being less than the second diameter.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 32 , wherein the flow control element comprises a stent, and wherein during the deploying step the stent expands from the first diameter to the second diameter.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein the flow control element is advanced through the second channel during the positioning step.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein the delivery device is positioned in the second channel after the inserting step.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 26 , further comprising visualizing the flow control element through the first channel during the step of deploying.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein the bronchial access device includes a camera.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein the visualizing step comprises transmitting light through a lens.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 26 , further comprising placing an introducer in the bronchial passageway, the inserting step comprising inserting the bronchial access device through the introducer.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein the inserting step comprises positioning a distal end of the bronchial access device in a first bronchial passageway and the deploying step comprises placing the flow control element at a second bronchial passageway branching from the first bronchial passageway.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 26 , further comprising, prior to carrying out the deploying step, determining the approximate size of the treatment site, and selecting an appropriately sized flow control element based at least in part on the determined size of the treatment site.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 41 , wherein the determining step is carried out using a measuring device.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 42 , wherein the measuring device is introduced through the second channel.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 26 , further comprising the step of applying suction to at least part of the lung located distally of the flow control element.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for treating a patient's lung, the method comprising steps of: providing a flow control element which restricts fluid flow in at least a first direction, the flow control element being releasably coupled to a delivery device; placing an introducer in a bronchial passageway of a patient's lung; inserting a bronchial access device through the introducer, the bronchial access device having a first channel and a second channel; positioning the delivery device in the second channel; and deploying the flow control element at the treatment site.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for treating a patient's lung, the method comprising steps of: providing a flow control element which restricts fluid flow in at least a first direction, the flow control element being releasably coupled to a delivery device; placing an introducer in a bronchial passageway of a patient's lung; inserting a bronchial access device through the introducer, the bronchial access device having a first channel and a second channel; positioning the delivery device in the second channel; and deploying the flow control element at the treatment site.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 45 , further comprising visualizing a treatment site in the patient's lung through the first channel.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 45 , wherein the bronchial access device comprises a bronchoscope.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 45 , wherein the flow control element restricts flow in only the first direction.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 48 , wherein the flow control element comprises a valve.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 49 , wherein the valve is selected from the group consisting of duckbill, flapper, tricuspid, ball and needle valves.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 45 , wherein at least a portion of the flow control element has a first diameter before the deploying step and a second diameter when deployed at the treatment site, the first diameter being less than the second diameter.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 51 , wherein the flow control element comprises a stent, and wherein during the deploying step the stent expands from the first diameter to the second diameter.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 45 , wherein the flow control element is advanced through the second channel during the positioning step.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 45 , wherein the delivery device is positioned in the second channel after the inserting step.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 45 , further comprising visualizing the flow control element through the first channel during the step of deploying.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 45 , wherein the bronchial access device includes a camera.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 45 , wherein the visualizing step comprises transmitting light through a lens.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 45 , wherein the inserting step comprises positioning a distal end of the bronchial access device in a first bronchial passageway and the deploying step comprises placing the flow control element at a second bronchial passageway branching from the first bronchial passageway.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 45 , further comprising, prior to carrying out the deploying step, determining the approximate size of the treatment site, and selecting an appropriately sized flow control element based at least in part on the determined size of the treatment site.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 59 , wherein the determining step is carried out using a measuring device.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 60 , wherein the measuring device is introduced through the second channel.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 45 , further comprising the step of applying suction to at least part of the lung located distally of the flow control element.
Claim 69
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for treating a patient's lung, the method comprising steps of: providing a flow control element which restricts fluid flow in at least a first direction, the flow control element being releasably coupled to a delivery device; inserting a bronchial access device in a bronchial passageway of a patient's lung, the bronchial access device having a first channel and a second channel; positioning the delivery device in the second channel; deploying the flow control element at the treatment site; prior to carrying out the deploying step, determining the approximate size of the treatment site using a measuring device, wherein the measuring device is introduced through the second channel; and selecting an appropriately sized flow control element based at least in part on the determined size of the treatment site.
Claim 70
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for treating a patient's lung, the method comprising steps of: providing a flow control element which restricts fluid flow in at least a first direction, the flow control element being releasably coupled to a delivery device; inserting a bronchial access device in a bronchial passageway of a patient's lung, the bronchial access device having a first channel and a second channel; positioning the delivery device in the second channel; deploying the flow control element at the treatment site; prior to carrying out the deploying step, determining the approximate size of the treatment site using a measuring device, wherein the measuring device is introduced through the second channel; and selecting an appropriately sized flow control element based at least in part on the determined size of the treatment site.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 63 , further comprising visualizing a treatment site in the patient's lung through the first channel.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 63 , wherein the bronchial access device comprises a bronchoscope.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 63 , wherein the flow control element restricts flow in only the first direction.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 66 , wherein the flow control element comprises a valve.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 67 , wherein the valve is selected from the group consisting of duckbill, flapper, tricuspid, ball and needle valves.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 64 , wherein at least a portion of the flow control element has a first diameter before the deploying step and a second diameter when deployed at the treatment site, the first diameter being less than the second diameter.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 68 , wherein the flow control element comprises a stent, and wherein during the deploying step the stent expands from the first diameter to the second diameter.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 63 , wherein the flow control element is advanced through the second channel during the positioning step.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 63 , wherein the delivery device is positioned in the second channel after the inserting step.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 63 , further comprising visualizing the flow control element through the first channel during the step of deploying.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 63 , wherein the bronchial access device includes a camera.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 63 , wherein the visualizing step comprises transmitting light through a lens.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 63 , wherein the inserting step comprises positioning a distal end of the bronchial access device in a first bronchial passageway and the deploying step comprises placing the flow control element at a second bronchial passageway branching from the first bronchial passageway.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 63 , further comprising the step of applying suction to at least part of the lung located distally of the flow control 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) | 2007-01-19 | 2007-07-21 | 2008-01-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-01-19 | 2011-07-21 | 2012-01-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-01-19 | 2015-07-21 | 2016-01-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |