US6904909B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Methods and devices for use in performing pulmonary procedures
Assignee: Pulmonx Corp
•
Filing: 2002-11-22
•
Granted: 2005-06-14
•
Expires: 2022-11-22
Abstract
Abstract An implantable flow control element is provided which prevents air from entering an isolated portion of a patient's lung. The element may permit air to escape from the isolated portion so that the element acts like a valve. Systems for implanting pulmonary devices are also provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard H. Andreas
- 👤 Sunmi Chew
- 👤 Anton J. Fields
- 👤 Ronald R. Hundertmark
- 👤 Alan R. Rapacki
- 👤 Peter M. Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:14
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/12; A61B17/12022; A61B17/12099; A61B17/12104; A61B17/12131; A61B17/12168; A61B17/12172; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2412; A61F2/2476; A61F2/82; A61F2/86; A61F2/90; A61F2/91; F; F16; F16K; F16K15/00; F16K15/14; F16K15/144; F16K15/147; A61B17/22; A61B17/221; A61B2017/1205; A61B2017/2215; A61B90/00; A61B90/06; A61B2090/061; A61F2/2418; A61F2/04; A61F2002/043; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0008; A61F2220/0016; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0041; A61F2220/005; A61F2220/0058; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0028; A61F2230/005; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0067; A61F2230/0091
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve, the valve having first and second lips which engage one another when the valve is in a closed position; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an expiratory direction.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve, the valve having first and second lips which engage one another when the valve is in a closed position; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an expiratory direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the first lip being stiffer than the second lip, the first lip biasing the second lip toward the closed position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the first and second lips being curved when viewed from an end of the lips.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the first and second lips forming a duckbill valve. 5 .The method of claim 1 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the first and second lips forming a heimlich valve.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve, the flow control element having a valve body with a sealing portion which seals against the wall of the pulmonary passageway; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve, the flow control element having a valve body with a sealing portion which seals against the wall of the pulmonary passageway; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein: the releasing step is carried out with the sealing portion sealing against the wall of the pulmonary passageway until an opening pressure differential is achieved wherein the sealing portion opens to permit air to pass in the same direction as the valve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A The method of claim 6 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the sealing portion being made of a resilient material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the sealing portion being a ring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with at least two rings.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein: the rings have different sizes to seal different size locations.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the ring having a helical shape.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising the step of: rotating the valve so that the ring anchors the device.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve, the flow control element having a body mounted to an expandable support structure; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve, the flow control element having a body mounted to an expandable support structure; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the support structure having an exposed portion not covered by the body.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve, the flow control element having a plurality of flexible bristles extending from the outer surface; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction, the bristles engaging the wall of the pulmonary passageway.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve, the flow control element having a plurality of flexible bristles extending from the outer surface; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction, the bristles engaging the wall of the pulmonary passageway.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 16 , wherein: the releasing step is carried out with the bristles being angled to preferentially anchor the valve relative to forces exerted in an expiratory direction.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 16 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with at least 10 bristles.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve, the valve being a valve selected from the group consisting of poppet, ball, duckbill, heimlich, flap and leaflet; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve, the valve being a valve selected from the group consisting of poppet, ball, duckbill, heimlich, flap and leaflet; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve, the valve having a valve structure; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction, the releasing step being carried out so that the valve structure cooperates with a portion of the wall of the passageway, the valve structure being positioned against the portion of the wall in a closed position and being spaced apart from the wall when in an open position.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve, the valve having a valve structure; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction, the releasing step being carried out so that the valve structure cooperates with a portion of the wall of the passageway, the valve structure being positioned against the portion of the wall in a closed position and being spaced apart from the wall when in an open position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the valve structure being a resilient portion positioned against the wall.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the valve structure being a ring.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the valve structure being formed by a number of independent sections which each have an open position and a closed position.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve, the valve being generally conical; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve, the valve being generally conical; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve, the flow control element having a body, the body being integrally formed with the valve; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve, the flow control element having a body, the body being integrally formed with the valve; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve, the valve having a support structure with the valve mounted to the support structure; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve, the valve having a support structure with the valve mounted to the support structure; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve, the flow control element having a large end and a small end; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve, the flow control element having a large end and a small end; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve, the valve being a slit valve; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve, the valve being a slit valve; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 28 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the valve being generally conical.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve with a sealant on an exterior surface of the flow control element; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve with a sealant on an exterior surface of the flow control element; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 30 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the sealant being an adhesive which seals a space between the flow control element and pulmonary wall.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 30 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the sealant being a flowable substance which conforms to the shape of the pulmonary site.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve, the valve having first and second lips and reinforcing elements extending along lateral edges of the lips; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve, the valve having first and second lips and reinforcing elements extending along lateral edges of the lips; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve, the valve opening upon a pressure differential of no more than 10 inches of water; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve, the valve opening upon a pressure differential of no more than 10 inches of water; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve, the valve opening upon a pressure differential of no more than 5 inches water; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve, the valve opening upon a pressure differential of no more than 5 inches water; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve, the valve opening upon a pressure differential of no more than 1 inch water; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of controlling air flow in a pulmonary passageway, comprising the steps of: providing a flow control element having a valve, the valve opening upon a pressure differential of no more than 1 inch water; advancing the flow control element through a patient's pulmonary system; releasing the flow control element at a pulmonary site to isolate a portion of the patient's lung, the valve permitting air flow in an expiratory direction and preventing air flow in an inspiratory direction.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein the providing step is carried out with the flow control element having a sealing portion which seals against the wall of the pulmonary passageway.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 37 , wherein the releasing step is carried out with the sealing portion sealing against the wall of the pulmonary passageway until an opening pressure differential is achieved wherein the sealing portion opens to permit air to pass in the same direction as the valve.
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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) | 2008-06-13 | 2008-12-13 | 2009-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-06-13 | 2012-12-13 | 2013-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-06-13 | 2016-12-13 | 2017-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |