Methods and systems for treating pulmonary disease

A system comprising:

• an implant comprising a tubular region with one or more interstitial regions;
• and
• a delivery system comprising:
• a flexible elongate member having an implant mounting surface, wherein the mounting surface comprises a conformable material;
• and
• a sheath at least partially covering the elongate member, wherein the sheath is movable relative to the elongate member to at least partially expose the implant mounting surface,
• wherein the implant is arranged on the mounting surface such that the conformable material adapts to the one or more interstitial regions, thereby engaging the implant.

A method for deploying an implant in a patient, wherein the implant comprises a tubular region with one or more interstitial regions and is configured to transition from a radially compressed configuration to a radially expanded configuration, the method comprising:

• advancing, in the patient, a flexible elongate member having an implant mounting surface comprising a conformable material, wherein the implant is arranged on the mounting surface in the radially compressed configuration such that the conformable material adapts to the one or more interstitial regions, wherein the elongate member is at least partially covered by a sheath that is movable relative to the elongate member;
• positioning a first end of the compressed implant at a first target location;
• moving the sheath relative to the elongate member, thereby exposing the implant;
• and
• allowing the implant to transition to the radially expanded configuration.

An implant configured to be deployed at a treatment location within a bronchial tree of a patient, the implant comprising:

• a tubular structure comprising a wire extending along a continuous wire path, the tubular structure comprising:
• a proximal end portion configured to be deployed at a first airway of the bronchial tree and exert a first chronic outward force;
• and
• a distal end portion configured to be deployed at a second airway of the bronchial tree and exert a second chronic outward force, wherein a generation of the second airway is greater than a generation of the first airway,
• wherein the second chronic outward force is greater than the first chronic outward force.

A method for selecting a length of an endobronchial implant to be placed in a patient, the method comprising:

• navigating a device toward a target airway in the patient;
• advancing an elongate member through a lumen of the device such that a distal end of the elongate member is distally beyond a distal end of the device;
• measuring a length of the target airway using a plurality of markers on the elongate member;
• and
• selecting a length of an endobronchial implant based on the measured length of the target airway.

A delivery system for deploying an implant at a treatment location, comprising:

• a flexible elongate member having an implant mounting surface configured to receive the implant;
• a sheath at least partially covering the elongate member, wherein the sheath is movable relative to the elongate member to at least partially expose the implant mounting surface;
• and
• a sensor configured to detect proximity of a distal end of the delivery system to a tissue wall.

A method for deploying an implant at a treatment location, the method comprising:

• advancing, in an airway of the patient, a delivery system comprising a flexible elongate member having an implant mounted thereon, a sheath that is movable relative to the elongate member, and a proximity sensor arranged on a distal end of the delivery system;
• detecting a position of the distal end of the delivery system relative to a pleura of the patient using the proximity sensor;
• positioning the implant at a desired target location without contacting the pleura with the delivery system;
• and
• moving the sheath relative to the elongate member to expose the implant at the desired target location.

A method for deploying an implant at a treatment location, the method comprising:

• advancing, in an airway of the patient, a delivery system comprising a flexible elongate member having an implant mounted thereon and a sheath that is movable relative to the elongate member;
• advancing the delivery system until a distal end of the delivery system touches a pleura of the patient;
• retracting the delivery system until the implant is at a desired target location;
• and
• moving the she relative to the elongate member to expose the implant at the desired target location.