Methods and devices for use in performing pulmonary procedures

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates generally to methods and devices for use in performing pulmonary procedures, and more particularly, procedures for treating various diseases of the lungs.

#2. Description of Related Art

#FIG. 1 is an elevation view schematically showing a system constructed according to one embodiment of the invention, the system being used to perform a pulmonary procedure on a patient;

#FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevation view of the lungs of the patient shown in FIG. 1 along with the system of the invention;

#FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevation view, in section, of a flow control element forming part of the system shown in FIG. 2, wherein the flow control element allows fluid flow in a first direction but blocks fluid flow in a second direction;

#The present invention provides methods and devices for performing pulmonary procedures, for example, treating various lung diseases such as emphysema and COPD. One preferred embodiment of the invention provides a flow control element that allows fluid flow in a first direction and controls fluid flow in a second direction. As used herein, fluid means gas, liquid, or a combination of a gas(es) and liquid(s). In addition, controlled fluid flow, as used herein, means that the flow is altered in some manner, i.e., the flow is not unimpeded in the second direction. The specific manner in which fluid flow is controlled in the second direction depends on the construction of the flow control element. The flow control element may, for example, completely block, substantially block, limit, meter or regulate fluid flow in the second direction by a valve or other suitable structure.

#As an example, when positioned in a hollow structure in a patient's body, such as a bronchiole in one of the lungs, the flow control element is oriented to allow flow in the exhalation direction but prevent fluid flow in the inhalation direction. The flow control element has a valve member that opens during exhalation in order to deflate or decompress the isolated lung portion distal to the flow control element. This maintains the diseased tissue in a decompressed state which prevents further hyper-expansion of the tissue. The invention also permits slow decompression of the lung tissue over a short or extended period of time.

#The invention thus may be used to prevent fluid being drawn into one ore more portions of a patient's lung. According to another aspect of the invention, a portion of the lung may be deflated by applying gentle suction (via the flow control element) to the hyper-expanded tissue without collapsing the walls of the narrow airways surrounded by diseased tissue. The suction draws air, liquid, mucous, etc., out of the lung portion to evacuate the diseased tissue. It will be recognized that these and other aspects of the invention may be practiced independently or in conjunction with each other.