Delivery methods and devices for implantable bronchial isolation devices

A method of deploying a bronchial device in a bronchial passageway in a patient's lung, the method comprising:

• providing a delivery device having an outer shaft, an inner shaft and a handle;
• coupling the bronchial isolation device to a housing on a distal end of the outer shaft and a inner shaft;
• advancing the delivery catheter into the patient's lung with the housing carrying the bronchial device until the housing is positioned in the bronchial passageway;
• and
• moving the outer shaft in a proximal direction relative to the inner shaft and the handle while the inner shaft remains fixed relative to the handle to release the bronchial isolation device from the housing.

An apparatus for deploying a bronchial isolation device in a bronchial passageway in a lung of a patient, comprising:

• an outer shaft having a distal end;
• a housing coupled to the distal end of the outer shaft and configured to receive the bronchial device;
• an inner shaft slidably disposed within the outer shaft;
• a handle adapted to move the outer shaft relative to both the inner shaft and the handle while the inner shaft remains fixed relative to the handle so as to eject the bronchial isolation device from the housing;
• and
• an actuation member coupled to the handle, wherein movement of the actuation member causes the outer shaft to move relative to the inner shaft and the handle, wherein the outer shaft moves in a proximal direction when the actuation member is moved in a distal direction, and wherein the outer shaft moves in a distal direction when the actuation member is moved in a proximal direction.

An apparatus for deploying a bronchial isolation device in a bronchial passageway in a lung of a patient, comprising:

• an outer shaft having a distal end;
• a housing coupled to the distal end of the outer shaft and configured to receive the bronchial device;
• an inner shaft slidably disposed within the outer shaft;
• a handle adapted to move the outer shaft relative to both the inner shaft and the handle while the inner shaft remains fixed relative to the handle so as to eject the bronchial isolation device from the housing;
• and
• an actuation member coupled to the handle, wherein movement of the actuation member causes the outer shaft to move relative to the inner shaft and the handle, wherein the actuation member must be out of an initial position in order to eject the bronchial isolation device from the housing, and further comprising a safety lock that retains the actuation member in the initial position.

An apparatus for deploying a bronchial isolation device in a bronchial passageway in a lung of a patient, comprising:

• an outer shaft having a distal end;
• a housing coupled to the distal end of the outer shaft and configured to receive the bronchial device;
• an inner shaft slidably disposed within the outer shaft;
• a handle adapted to move the outer shaft relative to both the inner shaft and the handle while the inner shaft remains fixed relative to the handle so as to eject the bronchial isolation device from the housing;
• and
• an extension disposed on the housing, wherein the extension defines a length substantially equal to a largest possible diameter for a bronchial passageway in which the bronchial isolation device can be used.

An apparatus for deploying a bronchial isolation device in a bronchial passageway in a lung of a patient, comprising:

• an outer shaft having a distal end;
• a housing coupled to the distal end of the outer shaft and configured to receive the bronchial device;
• an inner shaft slidably disposed within the outer shaft;
• a handle adapted to move the outer shaft relative to both the inner shaft and the handle while the inner shaft remains fixed relative to the handle so as to eject the bronchial isolation device from the housing;
• and
• an extension disposed on the housing, wherein the extension defines a length substantially equal to a smallest possible diameter for a bronchial passageway in which the bronchial isolation device can be used.

An apparatus for deploying a bronchial isolation device in a bronchial passageway in a lung of a patient, comprising:

• an outer shaft having a distal end, wherein the outer shaft is configured to be placed through a working channel of a bronchoscope;
• a housing coupled to the distal end of the outer shaft and configured to receive the bronchial device;
• an inner shaft slidably disposed within the outer shaft;
• a handle adapted to move the outer shaft relative to both the inner shaft and the handle while the inner shaft remains fixed relative to the handle so as to eject the bronchial isolation device from the housing;
• and
• a mechanism for adjustably positioning the housing relative to the working channel.