Patent · US Expired

Occlusion device

US7670373B1 · kind B1 · utility

11Cited by
93References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 3, 1998
Grant dateMar 2, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 3, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61F2002/043
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An obturator for a bronchial tube or tubule of a human or animal lung comprises a blocking element (92) and a securing element (90). The blocking element serves to seal the tube or tubule against the passage of fluid past the obturator when the obturator is disposed in a bronchial tube or tubule. The securing element serves to retain the blocking element in position. The blocking element comprises a substantially cylindrical plug of biocompatible, resiliently deformable closed-cell foamed plastics material, such as PVC. The securing element comprises a stent having barbs (98) to engage and retain the blocking element. The stent also has anchors (100) to retain the stent in a bronchial tube or tubule. A method of treatment of emphysema or other lung conditions or diseases in human or animal patients comprises placing an obturator in a bronchial tube or tubule of the patient so as to seal the tube or tubule against the passage of fluid past the obturator.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.