# US 10,478,125 B2 · Systems and methods for flushing an assessment catheter

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,478,125 B2
- Document ID: US10478125B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/195,532
- Filed: 2014-03-03
- Published: 2014-06-26
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2008-09-09
- Assignees: Pulmonx Corporation
- Applicants: Pulmonx Corporation
- Inventors: Lutz Freitag
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10478125B2

## CPC

- A61B 5/6852: {Catheters}
- A61B 5/08: Measuring devices for evaluating the respiratory organs
- A61B 17/12036: {partial occlusion}
- A61B 17/12104: {in an air passage}
- A61B 17/12136: {Balloons}
- A61B 17/221: Gripping devices in the form of loops or baskets {for gripping calculi or similar types of obstructions (surgical snare instruments A61B17/32056)}
- A61M 16/0404: {with means for selective or partial lung respiration}
- A61M 16/0406: {implanted flow modifiers}
- A61M 16/0429: {with non-integrated distal obturators}
- A61M 16/0434: {Cuffs}
- A61M 16/0443: {Special cuff-wall materials (A61M16/0481, A61M16/0422 take precedence)}
- A61M 16/0445: {Special cuff forms, e.g. undulated}
- A61M 16/0447: {Bell, canopy or umbrella shaped}
- A61M 16/0459: {one cuff behind another}
- A61M 16/0463: {combined with suction tubes, catheters or the like; Outside connections}
- A61M 25/00: Catheters; Hollow probes (dilators A61M29/00; {peritoneal catheters A61M1/285; tracheal tubes A61M16/04; for drainage A61M27/00; for uterus, vagina or rectum A61M31/00} ; for measuring or testing A61B; {materials for catheters A61L29/00})
- A61M 25/0074: {Dynamic characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. openable, closable, expandable or deformable}
- A61M 25/0082: {Catheter tip comprising a tool}
- B21F 45/008: {of medical instruments, e.g. stents or corneal rings}
- A61B 17/22031: {Gripping instruments, e.g. forceps, for removing or smashing calculi (A61B17/221 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2017/00809: {Lung operations}
- A61B 2017/22068: {Centering}
- A61B 2017/22082: {after introduction of a substance}
- A61B 2017/22084: {stone- or thrombus-dissolving}
- A61B 2017/2217: {single wire changing shape to a gripping configuration}
- A61B 2017/320012: {Brushes}
- A61B 2090/701: {for flexible tubular instruments, e.g. endoscopes}
- A61M 16/0477: {with incorporated means for delivering or removing fluids}
- A61M 25/007: {Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked}
- A61M 2025/0019: {Cleaning catheters or the like, e.g. for reuse of the device, for avoiding replacement}
- A61M 2025/0073: {Tip designed for influencing the flow or the flow velocity of the fluid, e.g. inserts for twisted or vortex flow}
- A61M 2025/0096: {being laterally outward extensions or tools, e.g. hooks or fibres}
- A61M 2025/1047: {having centering means, e.g. balloons having an appropriate shape}
- A61M 2205/0238: the material being a coating or protective layer
- A61M 2205/0266: Shape memory materials
- A61M 2205/11: with means for preventing cross-contamination when used for multiple patients
- A61M 2205/7536: allowing gas passage, but preventing liquid passage, e.g. liquophobic, hydrophobic, water-repellent membranes
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}
- B21F: WORKING OR PROCESSING OF METAL WIRE (rolling of metal wire B21B1/16; by drawing, auxiliary operations used in connection with metal-working without essentially removing material B21C)

## Abstract

Devices systems and methods are disclosed for removing secretions from the lumen of a functional assessment catheter for the lungs. The system comprises a flushing unit configured to deliver a clearing fluid to the lumen of the pulmonary catheter to remove debris, secretions, or moisture from the lumen or sensors.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A pulmonary diagnostic system, comprising:
a pulmonary catheter configured to be introduced transtracheally into a lung passageway of a lung segment in a patient, wherein the pulmonary catheter comprises a distal end and a proximal end with a lumen disposed in-between; and
a flushing unit comprising:
an intake port connectable to a gas source;
a pressure regulator distal to the intake port configured to regulate the pressure and flow of a clearing gas from the gas source into the flushing unit;
a first gas restrictive element;
a fixed volume gas chamber between the intake port and the first gas restrictive element, wherein the gas chamber is configured to store a volume of the clearing gas and act as a flush capacitor, and wherein the first gas restrictive element is configured to regulate delivery of the clearing gas from the gas chamber; and
a control unit configured to control a state of the first gas restrictive element;
wherein the flushing unit is configured to deliver the clearing gas to the lumen of the pulmonary catheter and out the distal end into the lung passageway with sufficient force to remove debris from the lumen while the distal end is within the lung passageway of the lung segment in the patient.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to transform the first gas restrictive element to a state whereby the first gas restrictive element allows the clearing gas stored in the gas chamber to be instantaneously released to flush the catheter.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to transform the first gas restrictive element to a state whereby the first gas restrictive element allows a sustained release of the clearing gas stored in the gas chamber to flush the catheter over a period of time.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the flushing unit further comprises:
a second gas restrictive element configured to regulate the delivery of the clearing gas from the gas chamber;
wherein the control unit is configured to control a state of the second gas restrictive element, wherein the control unit is configured to transform the first gas restrictive element to a state whereby the first gas restrictive element allows the clearing gas stored in the gas chamber to be instantaneously released to flush the catheter, and wherein the control unit is configured to transform the second gas restrictive element to a state whereby the second gas restrictive element allows a sustained release of the clearing gas stored in the gas chamber to flush the catheter over a period of time.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor connectable to the catheter, wherein the clearing gas delivered by the flushing unit is configured to clear the debris from the sensor.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the gas chamber comprises a safety valve.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the flushing unit is configured to deliver the clearing gas to the lumen of the pulmonary catheter and out the distal end into the lung passageway with sufficient force to dry the lumen while the distal end is within the lung passageway.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the flushing unit is configured to deliver the clearing gas to the lumen of the pulmonary catheter and out the distal end into the lung passageway without introducing a cleaning liquid into the lung passageway.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the system is a basin-free system.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the flushing unit further comprises a flow restrictive element located between the pressure regulator and the gas chamber.