PULMONx Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20100158795 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ASSESSING LUNG FUNCTION AND DELIVERING THERAPEUTIC AGENTS - Methods and systems for isolating, assessing and treating lung compartments are disclosed. One or more lung compartments are accessed through an isolation catheter, oxygen rich gas is delivered to the compartments, and blood oxygen or exhaled carbon dioxide are monitored to assess lung compartment function. Diseased lung compartments may be treated using therapeutic agents delivered to the diseased compartments through the isolation catheter. Therapeutic agents include carbon monoxide, radioactive agents, chemotherapeutic agents or angiogenesis inhibitors and angiocidal agents. | 06-24-2010 |
20100036361 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING MULTIPLE IMPLANTS INTO LUNG PASSAGEWAYS - A system for delivering multiple implants into lung passageways is disclosed. The system comprises a catheter configured to receive and store a plurality of expandable implants, and an actuatable delivery tool coupled to the proximal end of the catheter. The system expels an implant of the plurality of implants with each actuation of the delivery tool. The delivery tool comprises a plunger element which extends through the catheter from the proximal to the distal end and allows the delivery tool to mechanically communicate with the implants. In one embodiment, the system comprises a spring-loaded slidable element, and a user compresses the slidable element to actuate the delivery tool. In another embodiment, the system comprises a rotation rod, and the user moves the rotation rod in a distal direction to actuate the delivery tool. | 02-11-2010 |
20090255537 | DISEASE INDICATIONS FOR SELECTIVE ENDOBRONCHIAL LUNG REGION ISOLATION - Disclosed are various disease indications and treatment methods that benefit from selective lung region isolation. A lung region is bronchially isolated by regulating the flow of fluid to and from the lung region, such as by implanting one or more bronchial isolation devices into one or more bronchial passageways that feed air to the lung region. The bronchial isolation devices can comprise, for example, one-way valves, two-way valves, occluders or blockers, ligating clips, glues, sealants, and sclerosing agents. | 10-15-2009 |
20080228137 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR PASSIVE RESIDUAL LUNG VOLUME REDUCTION AND FUNCTIONAL LUNG VOLUME EXPANSION - 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. | 09-18-2008 |
20080228130 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR OCCLUDING COLLATERAL FLOW CHANNELS IN THE LUNG - The lateral flow between adjacent lung segments is occluded by blocking collateral flow channels with particles. A gas flow is established from one lung segment through the flow channels in an intermediate fibrous septum, and out through the adjacent lung segment. Particles entrained in the gas flow become lodged in the collateral flow channels to eventually block flow. | 09-18-2008 |
20080221703 | LOADING A DEVICE FOR A PULMONARY IMPLANT - Devices for loading a collapsible implant onto a delivery catheter. In one aspect, a loading device comprises an outer tubular structure and an inner tubular structure. The outer tubular structure comprises a narrowing passage configured to receive a catheter at one end and a collapsible implant at another end. The inner tubular structure is configured to move slidably and co-axially within the outer tubular structure. The inner tubular structure comprises a carrier pin configured to move within the narrowing passage as the inner tubular structure slides into the outer tubular structure. The sliding of the inner tubular structure into the outer tubular structure causes an implant mounted on the carrier pin to collapse as the implant moves through the narrowing passage and into the distal end of a catheter. In an optional aspect, the outer tubular structure further comprises a grasper to stabilize the catheter for receipt of the collapsible implant, and the internal diameter of the inner tubular structure varies to cause the grasper to first contract and stabilize the catheter, and then expand and release the catheter, as the grasper moves into the inner tubular structure. | 09-11-2008 |
20080221582 | PULMONARY STENT REMOVAL DEVICE - A removal tool for an implanted device, including pulmonary stents, occlusive devices, valved devices, and flow-restrictive devices, is provided. The removal tool includes an elongate tube having a central passage, a slideable inner member within the passage, and a coupling member disposed on the distal end of the inner member. The coupling member of the removal tool includes a distal tip configured to pierce a membrane of the implanted device. The coupling member also includes a coil or a hook configured to engage a support element of the implanted device. A method of removing implanted devices is also provided. A removal tool is placed adjacent to the device, the distal end of the tool is moved to pierce its membrane, a portion of the tool engages the support member, and the distal end of the tool is retracted along with the implanted device. | 09-11-2008 |
20080200797 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENDOBRONCHIAL DIAGNOSIS - 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. | 08-21-2008 |