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US 12,690,814 B2Granted
Systems and methods for flushing an assessment catheter
AssigneePulmonx Corporation
InventorLutz Freitag
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims16
A pulmonary diagnostic system, comprising:
- a pulmonary catheter configured to be introduced transtracheally into an air passage of a lung segment, wherein the pulmonary catheter comprises a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a lumen disposed therein between the distal and proximal portions;
- and
- an external console coupled to a proximal portion of a flushing element and configured to monitor exhaled air flow through the pulmonary catheter;
- wherein the flushing element is coupled to a pressurized gas chamber and the proximal portion of the pulmonary catheter, wherein the flushing element comprises a release valve that is configured to deliver clearing gas to the lumen of the pulmonary catheter from the proximal portion to the distal portion with sufficient force to dry or push mucus from the lumen and into the air passage of the lung segment and away from the external console to prevent impeding of air flow and interfering with a monitoring function of the external console, wherein the release valve is configured to transition to an open instantaneous release state whereby the release valve allows the clearing gas stored in the gas chamber to be instantaneously released to flush the pulmonary catheter.
1 more element
A pulmonary diagnostic system, comprising:
- a pulmonary catheter configured to be introduced transtracheally into an air passage of a lung segment, wherein the pulmonary catheter comprises a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a lumen disposed therein between the distal and proximal portions;
- a flushing element coupled to a pressurized fluid chamber and the proximal portion of the pulmonary catheter, wherein the flushing element comprises a first release valve and a second release valve that are configured to deliver a clearing fluid to a lumen of the pulmonary catheter with sufficient force to move debris or secretions from the lumen and into the air passage of the lung segment via the distal portion of the pulmonary catheter;
- and
- a control unit configured to control the first and second release valves to regulate simultaneous or sequential delivery of clearing fluid from the fluid chamber, wherein the control unit is configured to transform the first release valve to an open instantaneous release state whereby the first release valve allows the clearing fluid stored in the fluid chamber to be instantaneously released to flush the pulmonary catheter, and wherein the control unit is configured to transform the second release valve to a partially open sustained release state whereby the second release valve allows a continuous release of the clearing fluid stored in the fluid chamber to prevent or minimize buildup over a period of time.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.