Intra-bronchial valve devices

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.

1 . A one-way obstruction device configured to permit fluid flow in an expiratory direction through an air passageway in a lung while precluding inhalation air flow through the passageway, the device comprising: 
 a frame defining a generally cylindrical portion, the frame being collapsible for advancement through a lumen into the air passageway;    a resilient member at least partially enclosing the frame and configured to contact an inner wall of the passageway to obstruct airflow through the air passageway in an inspiratory direction.    
   
   
       2 . The obstruction device of  claim 1 , wherein frame comprises a serpentine reinforcement rib.  
   
   
       3 . The obstruction device of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is configured to allow expiratory air to flow through a center of the frame.  
   
   
       4 . The obstruction device of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a resilient self-expanding structure.  
   
   
       5 . The obstruction device of  claim 4 , wherein the frame is made of nickel titanium.  
   
   
       6 . The obstruction device of  claim 4 , wherein the frame is made of stainless steel.  
   
   
       7 . The obstruction device of any of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is configured to seal against an air passageway sufficiently to preclude airflow between the device and the passageway wall.  
   
   
       8 . The one-way obstruction device of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient member comprises a membrane overlying the frame.  
   
   
       9 . The one-way obstruction device of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient member substantially entirely encloses the frame.  
   
   
       10 . A method of treating a lung comprising: compressing an obstruction device comprising a frame defining a generally cylindrical portion and having a resilient member at least partially enclosing the frame, and delivering the obstruction device through a conduit and into an air passageway of a lung and deploying the obstruction device in the airway such that the obstruction device contacts an inner wall of the passageway and obstructs airflow through the air passageway in an inspiratory direction, while allowing airflow through the air passageway in an expiratory direction.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein delivering the obstruction device through the conduit comprises advancing the obstruction device, in a compressed state, through a lumen of a catheter.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising allowing a portion of the lung distal to the deployed obstruction device to be reduced in volume.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein allowing airflow through the air passageway in an expiratory direction comprises allowing airflow through a central portion of the frame.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein deploying the obstruction device comprises releasing the obstruction device from a distal end of a catheter.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein deploying the obstruction device comprises providing a resilient self-expanding frame and allowing the obstruction device to expand to contact the air passageway walls.