MINIMALLY INVASIVE LUNG VOLUME REDUCTION DEVICE AND METHOD

Abstract

A lung volume reduction system is disclosed comprising an implantable device adapted to be delivered to a lung airway of a patient in a delivery configuration and to change to a deployed configuration to bend the lung airway. The invention also discloses a method of bending a lung airway of a patient comprising inserting a device into the airway in a delivery configuration and bending the device into a deployed configuration, thereby bending the airway.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the attached documents that set forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:

FIGS. 1A-C illustrates the anatomy of the respiratory system;

FIGS. 2A-D illustrate a bronchoscope;

FIG. 3 illustrates a bronchoscope in combination with a delivery device for a lung volume reduction device according to the invention;

FIGS. 4A-F illustrate a lung volume reduction device according to an aspect of the invention;

FIGS. 5A-B illustrate a lung volume reduction device according to another aspect of the invention;

FIGS. 6A-D illustrate a lung volume reduction device according to another aspect of the invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a lung volume reduction device according to another aspect of the invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a lung volume reduction device encased in a sheath;

FIGS. 9A-D illustrate a lung volume reduction device according to another aspect of the invention;

FIGS. 10A-B illustrate segments suitable for use in configuring a lung volume reduction device according to an aspect of the invention;

FIGS. 11A-F illustrate a plurality of individual wires formed of shape memory material that can be deployed to form a lung volume reduction device and a delivery device;

FIG. 12 illustrates a lock feature suitable for use at a proximal end of a lung volume reduction device;

FIGS. 13A-B illustrate a stopper adapted to hold tension on a lung volume reduction device;

FIGS. 14A-C illustrates a self locking mechanism suitable for use with the lung volume reduction devices of the invention;

FIGS. 15A-D illustrate a decoupler system;

FIG. 16A-C illustrates a decoupling system;

FIGS. 17A-B depict a mechanism for decoupling the delivery device from a lung volume reduction device;

FIG. 18 illustrates another mechanism suitable for use in decoupling the delivery device from a lung volume reduction device;

FIGS. 19A-B illustrate yet another embodiment of a decoupling system;

FIGS. 20A-E illustrate a hitch pin configuration useful in decoupling the delivery device;

FIG. 21 illustrates an activation mechanism suitable for use with the devices of the invention;

FIG. 22 illustrates an alternative mechanism for proximally controlling the deployment of the device;

FIG. 23 illustrates a spur gear suitable for use with control mechanisms of the invention;

FIG. 24 illustrates a proximal control device for actuating an implant;

FIG. 25 illustrates another proximal control device and delivery catheter system for actuating an implant while maintaining a desired temperature at a distal end;

FIG. 26 illustrates yet another proximal control device for use in recapture of an implanted device;

FIGS. 27A-B illustrates an alternative embodiment of a retrieval device;

FIGS. 28A-B illustrate device components adapted to engage each other;

FIGS. 29A-C illustrate another retrieval mechanism;

FIGS. 30A-B illustrate a retrieval device comprising a snare wire;

FIGS. 31A-D illustrates devices in a variety of deployed conditions;

FIG. 32 illustrates a lung volume reduction device in combination with a delivery catheter;

FIGS. 33A-C illustrate a variety of device configurations with atraumatic tips;

FIGS. 34A-B illustrate a withdrawal system having a blade to separate the device from the surrounding tissue;

FIGS. 35A-C illustrate a device implanted within the lungs; and

FIG. 36 illustrates a method steps for implanting the device.

Claims

1. A lung volume reduction system comprising an implantable device adapted to be delivered to a lung airway of a patient in a delivery configuration and to change to a deployed configuration to bend the lung airway.

2. The lung volume reduction system of claim 1 wherein the implantable device comprises a resiliently bendable delivery configuration.

3. The lung volume reduction system of claim 1 wherein the deployed configuration has a rigid shape.

4. The lung volume reduction system of claim 3 wherein the rigid shape is a C-shape.

5. The lung volume reduction system of claim 3 wherein the rigid shape is an S-shape.

6. The lung volume reduction system of claim 3 wherein the rigid shape is a spiral.

7. The lung volume reduction system of claim 1 wherein the system further comprises an actuator adapted to be operated from outside the patient to change the implantable device from the delivery configuration to the deployed configuration.

8. The lung volume reduction system of claim 7 wherein the actuator comprises an actuation element connected to a distal end of the implantable device and adapted to be moved proximally to bend the device.

9. The lung volume reduction system of claim 7 wherein the system further comprises a lock adapted to lock the device in the deployed configuration.

10. The lung volume reduction system of claim 9 wherein the lock comprises a ratchet.

11. The lung volume reduction system of claim 9 wherein the lock can be unlocked for retrieval.

12. The lung volume reduction system of claim 7 further comprising a connector adapted to connect the implantable device to the actuator and to disconnect the device from the actuator after actuation.

13. The lung volume reduction system of claim 1 wherein the device comprises a member having a plurality of notches adapted to permit the device to bend more easily in one direction than in another.

14. The lung volume reduction system of claim 1 wherein the device is further adapted to self-actuate from the delivery configuration to the deployed configuration.

15. The lung volume reduction system of claim 1 wherein the device comprises shape memory material.

16. The lung volume reduction system of claim 15 wherein the device comprises a plurality of shape memory elements with flexible overtube.

17. The lung volume reduction system of claim 1 wherein the device comprises a plurality of asymmetric segments and a connecting element adapted to connect the segments.

18. The lung volume reduction system of claim 1 wherein the device is adapted to be delivered through a working channel of a bronchoscope.

19. The lung volume reduction system of claim 1 wherein the device further comprises an anchor adapted to anchor the device within the airway.

20. The lung volume reduction system of claim 1 wherein the system further comprises a delivery tool adapted to deliver the device to a treatment site in the airway.

21. The lung volume reduction system of claim 1 wherein the system further comprises a retrieval tool adapted to retrieve the device from the airway.

22. The lung volume reduction system of claim 21 wherein the retrieval device is further adapted to unlock the device from the deployed configuration.

23. The lung volume reduction system of claim 1 wherein the device has a fixed length.

24. A method of bending a lung airway of a patient comprising inserting a device into the airway in a delivery configuration and bending the device into a deployed configuration, thereby bending the airway.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the step of bending comprises operating an actuator outside the patient, the actuator being operatively connected to the device.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein the step of bending further comprising locking the device into the deployed configuration.

27. The method of claim 24 wherein the step of bending further comprising unlocking the device to permit it to return to the delivery configuration.

28. The method of claim 24 wherein the step of bending further comprising disconnecting the actuator from the device.

29. The method of claim 24 wherein the device comprises a plurality of asymmetric segments, inserting comprises delivering the plurality of asymmetric segment to the airway.

30. The method of claim 24 wherein the step of bending comprises rotating at least one asymmetric segment with respect to at least another asymmetric segment.

31. The method of claim 24 wherein the device comprises shape memory material, bending comprises permitting the device to bend itself.

32. The method of claim 24 further comprising delivering an overtube and subsequently delivering a shape memory element to the overtube.

33. The method of claim 24 wherein the step of bending comprises bending the device into a substantially C shape.

34. The method of claim 24 wherein the step of bending comprises bending the device into a substantially S shape.

35. The method of claim 24 wherein the step of bending comprises bending the device into a substantially spiral shape.

36. The method of claim 24 wherein the step of inserting comprises delivering the device through a working channel of a bronchoscope.

37. The method of claim 24 wherein the step of inserting further comprising retrieving the device from the airway.

38. The method of claim 24 wherein the device is adapted to provide strain relief on an end of the device during deployment.