Methods of achieving lung volume reduction with removable anchored devices

An air passageway obstructing device comprising:

• flexible frame means for forming a support structure extending from a distal end to a proximal end of the air passageway obstructing device;
• flexible membrane means for obstructing airflow within an air passageway, the flexible membrane means being carried by the support structure;
• and
• anchoring means to anchor the air passageway obstructing device, the anchoring means having a first anchor at the distal end and a second anchor at the proximal end, the first anchor having a first tip and a second tip, and a distance defined between the first and second tips, the flexible frame means being expandable to an expanded state within the air passageway to support the membrane means, the anchoring means being releasable by a removal device means to remove the air passageway obstructing device from the air passageway, wherein the first and second anchors fold away from the flexible membrane means without increasing the distance when the removal device means engages the air passageway obstructing device.

An air passageway obstructing device comprising:

• a frame that comprises a support structure and a central member extending from a distal end to a proximal end within the support structure;
• a flexible membrane configured to obstruct airflow within an air passageway, the flexible membrane being carried by the support structure;
• and
• anchoring means to anchor the air passageway obstructing device, the anchoring means having a first anchor at the distal end and a second anchor at the proximal end, the first anchor having a first tip and a second tip, and a distance defined between the first and second tips, the anchoring means being carried by the central member, the frame being expandable to an expanded state within the air passageway to support the flexible membrane, the anchoring means being releasable by a removal device means and the central member being configured to be engaged by a removal device such that retraction of the central member with the removal device following engagement of the central member by the removal device results in the first and second anchors folding away from the flexible membrane without increasing the distance.

An intra-bronchial device for placement in an air passageway of a patient, the intra-bronchial device comprising:

• a support structure comprising a longitudinal axis extending between a distal end and a proximal end, a central member extending longitudinally from the distal end to the proximal end through an axial center of the intra-bronchial device, the central member configured to be engaged by a removal device;
• an obstructing member comprising a resilient membrane that precludes fluid flow through said resilient membrane, the obstructing member being carried by the support structure and the obstructing member preventing air from being inhaled, at least a portion of the central member being surrounded by the resilient membrane;
• and
• at least a first anchor carried by the support structure that anchors the intra-bronchial device within the air passageway, the first anchor forms with the longitudinal axis an acute angle when the first anchor is deployed, the first anchor positioned distal to the obstructing member, and the first anchor being configured to fold toward the longitudinal axis in a direction that moves the first anchor away from the obstructing member while decreasing the acute angle when the central member is engaged by the removal device.