Bronchial stenter
US6299633A · kind A · utility
395Cited by
137References
32Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 22, 1998 |
| Grant date | Oct 9, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 22, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2018/1807
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A device and method for treating collapsed bronchial tubes found in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma are provided. The device includes an elongated member having a heating element that comprises one or more energy delivery members. The method includes heating the bronchial tube to cause at least a portion of the cross links of the collagen in the wall to unlink/open and subsequently form new cross links after the collagen fibers have realigned. The procedure effectively reinforces the structural integrity of the wall and thereby prevents the lumen from collapsing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.