US 6,398,775 B1 · Apparatus and method for isolated lung access

Abstract

Apparatus, systems, methods, and kits are provided for isolating a target lung segment and treating that segment, usually by drug delivery or lavage. The systems include at least a lobar or sub-lobar isolation catheter which is introduced beyond a second lung bifurcation (i.e., beyond the first bifurcation in a lobe of the lung) and which can occlude a bronchial passage at that point. An inner catheter is usually introduced through the isolation catheter and used in cooperation with the isolation catheter for delivering and/or removing drugs or washing liquids from the isolated lung region. Optionally, the inner catheter will also have an occluding member near its distal end for further isolation of a target region within the lung.

Claims34

Dependent claims

A method for delivering a substance to an isolated region of the lung, said method comprising:

positioning a visualizing tracheal tube in a trachea;
positioning a distal end of an isolation catheter through a lumen of the visualizing tracheal tube within a bronchial passage beyond a first branching within a right or left lung;
positioning an inner catheter through a main lumen of the isolation catheter so that a distal end of the inner catheter lies in a bronchiole distally beyond the distal end of the isolation catheter;
expanding an occlusion element near the distal end of the isolation catheter within the bronchial passage to isolate a target region;
providing a substance;
and
delivering the substance through the inner catheter to the isolated region of the lung.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and method for isolated lung access

Life of this patent

Apparatus and method for isolated lung access

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims34