Methods and devices for blocking flow through collateral pathways in the lung

US8206684B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Pulmonx Corporation · US

Inventors

• John McCutcheon · Menlo Park, US
• Antony J. Fields · San Francisco, US
• David Shaw · Christchurch, NZ

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 25, 2005
• Grant date: Jun 26, 2012
• Expiry date: Jun 15, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61M2210/1039
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of regulating fluid flow for a targeted lung region. The method comprises injecting a therapeutic agent into the targeted lung region. The therapeutic agent induces a reaction in lung tissue of the targeted lung region or in a collateral pathway to the lung region to reduce collateral fluid flow into the targeted lung region. In one aspect, the method additionally comprises deploying a bronchial isolation device in the direct pathway to regulate fluid flow to the targeted lung region through the direct pathway. The therapeutic agent can comprise, for example, a sclerosing agent that induces a reaction that causes sclerosis in the lung tissue.