Lung elastic recoil restoring or tissue compressing device and method
AssigneeBroncus Technologies, Inc.
InventorBryan Loomas
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This relates to restoring recoil or maintaining compression of an emphysematous or otherwise unhealthy lung and includes elastic members which contract or compress the lung tissue. The elastic member is secured to tissue of the lung either inside or outside of the lung to supplement the natural elasticity of the lung or maintain the tissue in a compressed state. The elastic member may include elastic patches, elastic bands, coil springs, covers or a combination of these elements.
Claims13
An apparatus for restoring lung recoil ability in a lung, the apparatus comprising:
- a bio-compatible elastic member having an elasticity which is capable of compressing lung tissue when applied to an exterior surface of a lung and which is capable of being stretched by the lung tissue during inhalation;
- and
- at least one anchor attached to the elastic member, the anchor being adapted to affix to lung tissue with the elastic member in a stretched condition to improve the elasticity of the lung.
An apparatus for compressing lung tissue, the apparatus comprising:
- a bio-compatible elastic member having at least a first end and a second end, the elastic member having an elasticity which is capable of compressing at least a portion of lung tissue and maintaining the lung tissue in the compressed state during inhalation;
- and
- anchors located on the first end and the second end of the elastic member and being adapted to attach the elastic member to an exterior surface of the lung tissue with the elastic member in a stretched condition.
An apparatus for restoring lung recoil ability in a lung, the apparatus comprising:
- a bio-compatible elastic member, the elastic member comprising a plurality of elastic bands formed as continuous loops and having an elasticity which is capable of compressing lung tissue when applied to a lung and which is capable of being stretched by the lung tissue during inhalation;
- and
- at least one anchor attached to the elastic member, the anchor being adapted to affix to lung tissue with the elastic member in a stretched condition to improve the elasticity of the lung.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.