Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction method

A minimally invasive method of reducing the volume of a cavity in a lung, the method comprising:

• inserting a catheter into the lung via the patient's trachea;
• removing at least some of the air in the cavity;
• injecting an inflammation-causing substance within the cavity so that at least a portion of the walls surrounding said cavity become coated with the substance;
• and
• placing an occlusion device in an airway upstream of said cavity.

A minimally invasive method of reducing a volume of an enlarged target region of a lung comprising:

• guiding a distal end of an bronchoscope to a position adjacent the target region;
• placing a catheter lumen in fluid communication with an interior of the target region;
• equilibrating the target region with atmospheric air by opening the lumen to fluid communication with a volume of air at atmospheric pressure;
• deploying one or more occlusion devices in one or more airways leading into the target region, thereby substantially isolating the target region from air flow in at least an inspiratory direction;
• and
• injecting an inflammation-causing substance.

A minimally invasive method of reducing a volume of an enlarged target region of a lung comprising:

• guiding a distal end of an bronchoscope to a position adjacent the target region;
• placing a catheter lumen in fluid communication with an interior of the target region;
• equilibrating the target region with atmospheric air by opening the lumen to fluid communication with a volume of air at atmospheric pressure;
• deploying one or more occlusion devices in one or more airways leading into the target region, thereby substantially isolating the target region from air flow in at least an inspiratory direction.

A minimally invasive method of reducing a volume of an enlarged target region of a lung comprising:

• guiding a distal end of an bronchoscope to a position adjacent the target region;
• placing a catheter lumen in fluid communication with an interior of the target region;
• equilibrating the target region with atmospheric air by opening the lumen to fluid communication with a volume of air at atmospheric pressure;
• and
• injecting an inflammation-causing substance.