Removable lung reduction devices, systems, and methods
View Patent ↗An air passageway obstruction device includes a frame structure and a flexible membrane overlying the frame structure. The frame structure is collapsible upon advancement of the device into the air passageway, expandable into a rigid structure upon deploying in the air passageway and recollapsible upon removal from the air passageway. The flexible membrane obstructs inhaled air flow into a lung portion communicating with the air passageway. The device may be removed after deployment in an air passageway by recollapsing the device and pulling the device proximally through a catheter.
1. A device for limiting air flow in an air passageway in a lung, the device comprising:
an elongated frame assembly for implantation in the lung, the elongated frame assembly comprising a proximal end and a distal end;
the elongated frame assembly further comprising a plurality of support members extending in a proximal direction from the distal end, each of the plurality of support members comprising a bent portion, the bent portion being positioned along a distal portion of each of the plurality of support members;
a flexible membrane overlying at least an outer surface of at least the distal portion of each of the plurality of support members including the bent portion;
a proximally positioned concave recess being defined at least in part by the plurality of support members and the flexible membrane, the proximally positioned concave recess comprising a proximally facing substantially circular opening, wherein the flexible membrane forms a smooth outer surface and the plurality of support members is positioned between the concave recess and the smooth outer surface;
at least one anchor being distally positioned relative to the flexible membrane;
the device defining an obstructing structure configured to be implanted into the air passageway upstream from a target region such that the device precludes air from flowing into the target region past the device while allowing air to flow out of the target region along a path between a portion of the flexible membrane and a wall of the air passageway.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible membrane overlies a generally conical portion defined by a portion of the plurality of support members.
3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the distal ends of the plurality of support members are connected to a generally cylindrical member and the flexible membrane is connected to the proximal ends of each of the plurality of support members.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of support members is an elongate strut extending radially from an attachment.
5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the flexible membrane has an at-rest shape configured to seal against the air passageway wall.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one anchor extends radially outward from a generally cylindrical member.
7. The device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of support members has a relatively long section extending distally from the bent portion and a relatively short section extending proximally from the bent portion, and the flexible membrane is disposed along at least the relatively long section of the frame.
8. The device of claim 1 , wherein a proximal portion of the device is adapted to be grasped for removal through proximal movement of the device.
9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is collapsible.