Methods and devices for passive residual lung volume reduction and functional lung volume expansion
Inventors
Aljuri, Nikolai • Perkins, Rodney C. • Olivera, Ryan • Nguyen, Hoang • Radhakrishnan, Srikanth • Beyhan, Niyazi
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12350428-B2
Publication Date
2025-07-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
The volume of a hyperinflated lung compartment is reduced by sealing a distal end of the catheter in an airway feeding the lung compartment. Air passes out of the lung compartment through a passage in the catheter while the patient exhales. A one-way flow element associated with the catheter prevents air from re-entering the lung compartment as the patient inhales. Over time, the pressure of regions surrounding the lung compartment cause it to collapse as the volume of air diminishes. Residual volume reduction effectively results in functional lung volume expansion. Optionally, the lung compartment may be sealed in order to permanently prevent air from re-entering the lung compartment. The invention further discloses a catheter with a transparent occlusion element at its tip that enables examination of the lung passageway through a viewing scope.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to passive deflation of an isolated lung region and to catheter structures used for passive residual lung volume reduction. A catheter includes a distal sealing arrangement for a target hyperinflated lung compartment or segment, and expiratory outflow is allowed while re-entry of air during inhalation is inhibited by a one-way flow element. As residual air diminishes, pressure in the surrounding region collapses the compartment, yielding functional lung volume expansion.
In one aspect, the approach enables passive deflation without implanting a one-way valve structure in the lung. A catheter manufacturing method is provided that includes providing a catheter with a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one lumen there between, and providing a one-way flow element within the at least one lumen configured to inhibit flow through the lumen in a proximal-to-distal direction. An occluding member is attached in a manner that creates an air-blocking pathway in cooperation with the one-way flow element.
The catheter further includes an expandable occluding member and a one-way flow element, including examples such as a duck-bill valve, a flap valve, or an actively controlled one-way flow control assembly with a valve controller and flow/pressure sensing. The occlusion element may be transparent to enable viewing via a bronchoscope, and a transparent expandable occluding element may also function as a diagnostic/therapeutic lens. Optionally, the compartment is permanently sealed after deflation.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim clm-00001 covers manufacturing a catheter configured for passive deflation of an isolated lung region without needing to implant a one-way valve structure in the lung. The inventive concept is based on a proximal-to-distal flow-inhibiting one-way flow element combined with a specific inverted attachment of an occluding member to form a passive air-blocking pathway.
Passive deflation catheter manufacturing without lung valve implant
Providing a catheter with a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen there between; providing a one-way flow element within the at least one lumen configured to inhibits flow through the lumen in a proximal-to-distal direction such that air cannot enter an isolated part of a lung during inhalation; providing an occluding member with a first end and a second end; attaching the first end of the occluding member to the inner surface of the lumen at the distal end of the catheter; and inverting the occluding member and attaching the second end of the occluding member to an outer portion of the catheter proximal to the distal end.
The claim set centers on forming a catheter that prevents inspiratory re-entry into an isolated lung region using a proximal-to-distal inhibiting one-way flow element and an inverted occluding-member attachment that yields a passive air-blocking pathway.
Stated Advantages
Enables passive deflation of an isolated lung region without the need to implant a one-way valve structure in the lung.
Air cannot enter an isolated part of a lung during inhalation.
Residual air reduction leads to functional lung volume expansion via collapse of pressure in the surrounding region.
Documented Applications
Passive residual lung volume reduction for a target hyperinflated lung compartment or segment through a bronchoscope-viewable, distal airway-sealing catheter arrangement.
Optionally permanently sealing a compartment after deflation.
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