US6840243B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and devices for use in performing pulmonary procedures
Assignee: Pulmonx Corp
•
Filing: 2003-04-18
•
Granted: 2005-01-11
•
Expires: 2023-04-18
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 A source of vacuum or suction may be used to increase the amount of fluid withdrawn from the lung tissue.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 06:28
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: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A system for use in a lung of a patient comprising: a scope adapted for viewing a lung passageway in the lung, the scope having a shaft positionable in the patient's trachea and a working channel in the shaft; a delivery device movably positionable in the working channel; a flow control element releasably coupled to the delivery device and adapted for implanting in the lung passageway to restrict fluid flow in at least an inspiration direction therethrough, wherein the delivery device comprises a support shaft configured for coupling to the flow control element and a sheath slidably disposed over the support shaft and configured to cover at least a portion of the flow control element, the sheath having an opening at a distal end thereof for insertion and removal of the flow control element; and an actuator associated with the delivery device for moving the sheath relative to the shaft to release the flow control element through the distal opening in the sheath.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
163 words
A system for use in a lung of a patient comprising: a scope adapted for viewing a lung passageway in the lung, the scope having a shaft positionable in the patient's trachea and a working channel in the shaft; a delivery device movably positionable in the working channel; a flow control element releasably coupled to the delivery device and adapted for implanting in the lung passageway to restrict fluid flow in at least an inspiration direction therethrough, wherein the delivery device comprises a support shaft configured for coupling to the flow control element and a sheath slidably disposed over the support shaft and configured to cover at least a portion of the flow control element, the sheath having an opening at a distal end thereof for insertion and removal of the flow control element; and an actuator associated with the delivery device for moving the sheath relative to the shaft to release the flow control element through the distal opening in the sheath.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the flow control element is movable between a collapsed configuration for positioning into the lung passageway and an expanded configuration for implanting in the lung passageway.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 2 , wherein the delivery device is adapted to hold the flow control element in the collapsed configuration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 2 , wherein the flow control element comprises a stent movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 4 , wherein the stent comprises a resilient material so as to self-expand from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the flow control element comprises a fixation structure thereon to aid in fixing the flow control element in place in the lung passageway.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 6 , wherein the fixation structure comprises a plurality of barbs for engaging a wall of the lung passageway.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein moving the actuator decouples the flow control element from the delivery device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the flow control element comprises a valve which restricts fluid flow in the inspiration direction and allows fluid flow in the expiration direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the bronchoscope has a distal end, the delivery device being movable distally of the distal end so that the flow control element is visible through the scope.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the flow control element is movably positionable within the working channel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the scope has a port at a proximal end thereof in communication with the working channel, the delivery device being positionable through the port.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
148 words
A system for treating a lung of a patient through a working channel of a bronchoscope positioned in the patient's trachea, the system comprising: a delivery device movably positionable in the working channel; a flow control element releasably coupled to the delivery device and adapted for implanting in the lung passageway to restrict fluid flow in at least an inspiration direction therethrough, wherein the delivery device comprises a support shaft configured for coupling to the flow control element and a sheath slidably disposed over the support shaft and configured to cover at least a portion of the flow control element, the sheath having an opening at a distal end thereof for insertion and removal of the flow control element; and an actuator associated with the delivery device for moving the sheath relative to the shaft to release the flow control element through the distal opening in the sheath.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
148 words
A system for treating a lung of a patient through a working channel of a bronchoscope positioned in the patient's trachea, the system comprising: a delivery device movably positionable in the working channel; a flow control element releasably coupled to the delivery device and adapted for implanting in the lung passageway to restrict fluid flow in at least an inspiration direction therethrough, wherein the delivery device comprises a support shaft configured for coupling to the flow control element and a sheath slidably disposed over the support shaft and configured to cover at least a portion of the flow control element, the sheath having an opening at a distal end thereof for insertion and removal of the flow control element; and an actuator associated with the delivery device for moving the sheath relative to the shaft to release the flow control element through the distal opening in the sheath.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the flow control element is movable a collapsed configuration for positioning into the lung passageway and an expanded configuration for implanting in the lung passageway.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 14 , wherein the delivery device is adapted to hold the flow control element in the collapsed configuration.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 14 , wherein the flow control element comprises a stent movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein the stent comprises a resilient material so as to self-expand from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the flow control element comprises a fixation structure thereon to aid in fixing the flow control element in place in the lung passageway.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 18 , wherein the fixation structure comprises a plurality of barbs for engaging a wall of the lung passageway.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein moving the actuator decouples the flow control element from the delivery device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the flow control element comprises a valve which restricts fluid flow in the inspiration direction and allows fluid flow in the expiration direction.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the bronchoscope has a distal end, the delivery device being movable distally of the distal end so that the flow control element is visible through the scope.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the flow control element is movably positionable within the working channel.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the scope has a port at a proximal end thereof in communication with the working channel, the delivery device being positionable through the port.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
121 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; and deploying the flow control element at the treatment site; 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 in a second bronchial passageway branching from the first bronchial passageway.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
121 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; and deploying the flow control element at the treatment site; 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 in a second bronchial passageway branching from the first bronchial passageway.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 25 , further comprising visualizing a treatment site in the patient's lung through the first channel.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein the bronchial access device comprises a bronchoscope.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein the flow control element restricts flow in only the first direction.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 28 , wherein the flow control element comprises a valve.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 29 , wherein the valve is selected from the group consisting of duckbill, flapper, tricuspid, ball and needle valves.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 25 , 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 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 31 , 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 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein the flow control element is advanced through the second channel during the positioning step.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein the delivery device is positioned in the second channel after the inserting step.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 25 , further comprising visualizing the flow control element through the first channel during the step of deploying.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein the bronchial access device includes a camera.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein the visualizing step comprises transmitting light through a lens.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 25 , 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 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 38 , wherein the determining step is carried out using a measuring device.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 25 , further comprising the step of applying suction to at least part of the lung located distally of the flow control element.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
124 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, the sheath having an opening at a distal end thereof; 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; and deploying the flow control element at the treatment site, the deploying step comprising moving the sheath relative to the flow control element to release the flow control element through the distal opening in the sheath.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
124 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, the sheath having an opening at a distal end thereof; 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; and deploying the flow control element at the treatment site, the deploying step comprising moving the sheath relative to the flow control element to release the flow control element through the distal opening in the sheath.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 41 , further comprising visualizing the flow control element through the first channel during the step of deploying.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 41 , wherein the bronchial access device includes a camera.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 41 , wherein the visualizing step comprises transmitting light through a lens.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 41 , 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 50
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 41 , 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 51
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 41 , further comprising the step of applying suction to at least part of the lung located distally of the flow control element.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 41 , wherein the bronchial access device comprises a bronchoscope.
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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) | 2008-01-11 | 2008-07-12 | 2009-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-01-11 | 2012-07-12 | 2013-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-01-11 | 2016-07-12 | 2017-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |