Removable lung reduction devices, systems, and method

Abstract

An air passageway obstruction device includes a frame structure and a flexible membrane overlying the frame structure. The frame structure is collapsible upon advancement of the device into the air passageway, expandable into a rigid structure upon deploying in the air passageway and re-collapsible upon removal from the air passageway. The flexible membrane obstructs inhaled air flow into a lung portion communicating with the air passageway. The device may be removed after deployment in an air passageway by re-collapsing the device and pulling the device proximally through a catheter.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An intra-bronchial valve device configured to be implanted within an air passageway of a lung, the device comprising: 
 a frame comprising a plurality of elongate frame supports joined to one another at first and second attachment points, wherein each frame support assumes an at-rest shape with a substantially straight center portion and a pair of oppositely extending inwardly arcuate end portions; and    a flexible membrane disposed on the frame and covering at least portions of the frame supports, the membrane being sealed to the frame to prevent airflow between a first side of the membrane and a second side of the membrane.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the membrane is attached to the supports so as to preclude airflow from the concave side to the convex side of the membrane while permitting air to flow from the convex side to the concave side along a path between the membrane and a portion of an air passageway wall.  
     
     
         3 . The intra-bronchial valve of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second attachment points are located at ends of the elongate support members.  
     
     
         4 . The intra-bronchial valve of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate support members comprise sections of resilient wire.  
     
     
         5 . The intra-bronchial valve of  claim 1 , wherein the first attachment point of the frame is configured to be engaged by a retractor device.  
     
     
         6 . The intra-bronchial valve of  claim 5 , wherein the frame is configured such that pulling the frame into a catheter lumen causes the frame to collapse.  
     
     
         7 . The intra-bronchial valve of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one anchor member extending from the first or the second attachment point, said anchor member being configured to directly engage a portion of the air passageway wall.  
     
     
         8 . The intra-bronchial valve of  claim 7 , wherein the anchor member extends from a distal end of the frame.  
     
     
         9 . The intra-bronchial valve of  claim 7 , wherein the anchor member is configured to puncture portions of the air passageway wall.  
     
     
         10 . An intra-bronchial valve device comprising: 
 a frame comprising a plurality of elongate frame supports having first and second ends joined by at first and second common attachment points;    a flexible membrane disposed on the frame and covering at least portions of the frame supports, the membrane having a concave side and a convex side;    wherein the device is configured to be implanted within an air passageway of a patient, and wherein the membrane is attached to the supports so as to preclude airflow from the concave side to the convex side of the membrane while permitting air to flow from the convex side to the concave side along a path between the membrane and a portion of an air passageway wall.    
     
     
         11 . The intra-bronchial valve of  claim 10 , wherein the frame assumes an at-rest shape with a substantially cylindrical center portion and a pair of oppositely extending inwardly arcuate end portions.  
     
     
         12 . The intra-bronchial valve of  claim 10 , wherein the frame is configured to be engaged by a retractor device and to be pulled into a lumen of a removal catheter.  
     
     
         13 . The intra-bronchial valve of  claim 12 , wherein the frame is configured such that pulling the frame into a catheter lumen causes the frame to collapse.