Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080302359 | EXTRAPLEURAL AIRWAY DEVICE AND METHOD - This is directed to improving the gaseous exchange in a lung of an individual and particularly, this is directed to improving the gaseous exchange in individuals having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It generally includes fluidly connecting the lung to an extrapleural airway such as the trachea. In one variation, a conduit is deployed to place the lung and the trachea in fluid communication which allows trapped oxygen-reduced air to pass directly out of the lung and into the trachea. Removing nonfunctional air from the lung tends to improve the gaseous exchange of oxygen into the blood and decompress hyper-inflated lungs. Sealant and biocompatible adhesives may be provided on the exterior of the conduit to prevent side flow, leaks and to otherwise prevent air from entering spaces not intended to receive air such as the pleura space. | 12-11-2008 |
20110251592 | DEVICES FOR MAINTAINING SURGICALLY CREATED OPENINGS - Devices and methods are directed to improving the gaseous exchange in a lung of an individual having, for instance, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. More particularly, conduits may be deployed in the lung to maintain collateral openings (or channels) surgically created through airway walls. This tends to facilitate both the exchange of oxygen ultimately into the blood and decompress hyper-inflated lungs. The conduit includes a radially expandable center section having a first end, a second end, and a passageway extending from the first end to the second end. A control segment may be associated with the conduit to limit the degree of radial expansion. The conduit further includes a plurality of deflectable members extending from the ends of the center section. A tissue barrier may coaxially surround the conduit such that tissue ingrowth is prevented. The conduits may also include hold-down members and bioactive coatings that serve to prevent ejection of the conduit as well as prevent narrowing of the passageway due to tissue ingrowth. | 10-13-2011 |
20130211402 | METHODS OF TREATING INFLAMMATION IN AIRWAYS - This relates to treating an asthmatic lung and more particularly, relates to advancing a treatment device into the lung and treating the lung with the device. This also includes additional steps of treating the airway wall, applying energy or heat to the airway wall in an asthmatic lung. | 08-15-2013 |
20130218158 | METHODS OF REDUCING MUCUS IN AIRWAYS - This relates to treating an asthmatic lung and more particularly, relates to advancing a treatment device into the lung and treating the lung with the device. This also includes additional steps of treating the airway wall, applying energy or heat to the airway wall in an asthmatic lung. | 08-22-2013 |
20130253602 | METHODS FOR TREATING AIRWAYS - This relates to treating an asthmatic lung and more particularly, relates to advancing a treatment device into the lung and treating the lung with the device. This also includes additional steps of treating the airway wall, applying energy or heat to the airway wall in an asthmatic lung. | 09-26-2013 |
20140025063 | ENERGY DELIVERY DEVICES AND METHODS - This relates to methods and devices for achieving contact between the wall of a cavity or passageway and a medical device when used in tortuous anatomy. | 01-23-2014 |
20140031808 | MEDICAL DEVICE TRACKING AND ENERGY FEEDBACK - Devices and methods of treating tissue defining a passageway in a body are disclosed. The devices may include an energy delivery system including an energy delivery device having an elongate member that includes an energy emitting portion at the distal portion of the elongate member. The energy emitting portion may be configured to transition between a first collapsed configuration and a second, expanded configuration. In addition, the methods may include positioning the energy delivery device in the passageway, moving the energy delivery device along the passageway in a substantially continuous manner. | 01-30-2014 |
20140330332 | CONTROL METHODS AND DEVICES FOR ENERGY DELIVERY - Control systems and methods for delivery of energy that may include control algorithms that prevent energy delivery if a fault is detected and may provide energy delivery to produce a substantially constant temperature at a delivery site. In some embodiments, the control systems and methods may be used to control the delivery of energy, such as radiofrequency energy, to body tissue, such as lung tissue. | 11-06-2014 |
20140341801 | INACTIVATION OF SMOOTH MUSCLE TISSUE - Treatment and procedures for treating bodily conduits involves deactivating, killing, or otherwise treating smooth muscle tissue of the conduit. | 11-20-2014 |