Methods and devices for use in performing pulmonary procedures

Abstract

An implantable flow control element is provided which prevents air from entering an isolated portion of a patient's lung. The element may permit air to escape from the isolated portion so that the element acts like a valve. Systems for implanting pulmonary devices are also provided.

1 . A flow control device for regulating fluid flow through a bronchial passageway, comprising: 
 a support structure dimensioned to fit within the bronchial passageway and configured to engage the bronchial passageway to retain the flow control device therein; and    a valve element coupled to the support structure, the valve element being movable from a first configuration to allow fluid flow through the bronchial passageway and a second configuration to block fluid flow through the bronchial passageway; wherein the valve element includes a resilient structure that engages a wall of the bronchial passageway in the second configuration.    
   
   
       2 . The flow control device of  claim 1 , wherein the valve element further comprises a flexible material that engages the wall of the bronchial passageway in the second configuration.  
   
   
       3 . The flow control device of  claim 12 , wherein the flexible material is generally conical in shape.  
   
   
       4 . The flow control device of  claim 3 , wherein the resilient structure comprises a plurality of elongate elements.  
   
   
       5 . The flow control device of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure has an axial portion and at least one anchoring element, the anchoring element extending outwardly from the axial portion to engage the wall of the bronchial passageway.  
   
   
       6 . The flow control device of  claim 5 , wherein the anchoring element comprises a wire extending outwardly from the axial portion.  
   
   
       7 . A flow control device for regulating fluid flow through a bronchial passageway, comprising: 
 a support structure dimensioned to fit within the bronchial passageway and configured to engage the bronchial passageway to retain the flow control device therein; and    a valve element coupled to the support structure, the valve element being movable from a first configuration to allow fluid flow through the bronchial passageway and a second configuration to block fluid flow through the bronchial passageway; wherein the valve element comprises a flexible material that engages a wall of the bronchial passageway in the second configuration.    
   
   
       8 . The flow control device of  claim 7 , wherein the flexible material has a plurality of sections.  
   
   
       9 . The flow control device of  claim 7 , wherein the valve element further comprises a resilient structure engaging the flexible material.  
   
   
       10 . The flow control device of  claim 9 , wherein the resilient structure comprises a plurality of elongate elements.  
   
   
       11 . The flow control device of  claim 7 , wherein the support structure has an axial portion and at least one anchoring element, the anchoring element extending outwardly from the axial portion to engage the wall of the bronchial passageway.  
   
   
       12 . The flow control device of  claim 11 , wherein the anchoring element comprises a wire extending outwardly from the axial portion.  
   
   
       13 . A flow control device for regulating fluid flow through a bronchial passageway, comprising: 
 a support structure dimensioned to fit within the bronchial passageway so as to define an annular space between the support structure and a wall of the bronchial passageway;    an anchoring element extending outwardly from the support structure and configured to engage the bronchial passageway to retain the flow control device therein; and    a blocking element coupled to the support structure and configured to block fluid flow through the annular space in at least one direction, the blocking element comprising a flexible material coupled to a resilient structure.    
   
   
       14 . The flow control device of  claim 13 , wherein the blocking element is generally conical in shape.  
   
   
       15 . The flow control device of  claim 13 , wherein the support structure has an axial portion and wherein the anchoring element extends outwardly from the axial portion.  
   
   
       16 . The flow control device of  claim 15 , wherein the anchoring element comprises a wire extending outwardly from the axial portion.  
   
   
       17 . The flow control device of  claim 13 , wherein the resilient structure comprises a plurality of elongate elements.  
   
   
       18 . A flow control device for regulating fluid flow through a bronchial passageway, comprising: 
 a support structure dimensioned to fit within the bronchial passageway and configured to engage the bronchial passageway to retain the flow control device therein; and    a blocking element coupled to the support structure and configured to block fluid flow through the bronchial passageway in at least one direction, the blocking element having a generally conical shape.    
   
   
       19 . The flow control device of  claim 18 , wherein the support structure has an axial portion and at least one anchoring element, the anchoring element extending outwardly from the axial portion to engage the wall of the bronchial passageway.  
   
   
       20 . The flow control device of  claim 18 , wherein the blocking element further comprises a flexible material that engages the wall of the bronchial passageway in the second configuration.  
   
   
       21 . The flow control device of  claim 18 , wherein the blocking element includes a resilient structure that engages a wall of the bronchial passageway when the blocking element blocks fluid flow through the bronchial passageway.  
   
   
       22 . The flow control device of  claim 18 , wherein the blocking element comprises a flexible material.  
   
   
       23 . A flow control device for regulating fluid flow through a bronchial passageway, comprising: 
 a support structure dimensioned to fit within the bronchial passageway so as to define an annular space between the support structure and a wall of the bronchial passageway;    at least one anchoring elements extending outwardly from the support structure and configured to engage the bronchial passageway to retain the flow control device therein; and    a valve element coupled to the support structure, the valve element being movable from a first configuration to allow fluid flow through the bronchial passageway and a second configuration to block fluid flow through the annular space.    
   
   
       24 . The flow control device of  claim 23 , wherein the support structure has an axial portion and wherein the anchoring element extends outwardly from the axial portion.  
   
   
       25 . The flow control device of  claim 23 , wherein the anchoring element comprises a wire extending outwardly from the axial portion.  
   
   
       26 . The flow control device of  claim 23 , wherein the valve element further comprises a flexible material that engages the wall of the bronchial passageway in the second configuration.  
   
   
       27 . The flow control device of  claim 26 , wherein the flexible material is generally conical in shape.  
   
   
       28 . A flow-control device for regulating fluid flow through a bronchial passageway, comprising: 
 a body dimensioned to fit within the bronchial passageway so that the body can be removably located within the bronchial passageway, wherein the body is shaped to engage an interior wall of the bronchial passageway to block the bronchial passageway so that fluid is prohibited from flowing in an inhalation direction through the bronchial passageway, and wherein the body can separate from the interior wall and permit fluid to flow between the body and the interior wall in an expiratory direction through the bronchial passageway while the body is mounted in the bronchial passageway.    
   
   
       29 . A device as defined in  claim 28 , wherein the body is annular.  
   
   
       30 . A device as defined in  claim 28 , wherein the body has a generally conical shape.  
   
   
       31 . A device as defined in  claim 28 , additionally comprising a support structure attached to the body, the support structure including at least one anchoring element configured to anchor to the interior wall of the bronchial passageway to secure the device in a fixed position in the bronchial passageway.  
   
   
       32 . A device as defined in  claim 31 , wherein the at least one anchoring element is positioned on a proximal side of the valve.  
   
   
       33 . A device as defined in  claim 31 , wherein the at least one anchoring element is positioned on a distal side of the valve.  
   
   
       34 . A device as defined in  claim 31 , wherein at least one anchoring element is positioned on a proximal side of the valve and at least one anchoring element is positioned on a distal side of the valve.  
   
   
       35 . A device as defined in  claim 31 , wherein the at least one anchoring element comprises a wire.  
   
   
       36 . A device as defined in  claim 31 , wherein the anchoring element includes at least one prong that engages the interior wall of the bronchial passageway.  
   
   
       37 . A device as defined in  claim 28 , additionally comprising a support structure attached to the body, wherein the support structure includes an elongate shaft that extends centrally through the body, and wherein the body forms a cone around the elongate shaft.  
   
   
       38 . A device as defined in  claim 37 , wherein the body is attached to the elongate shaft at an apex of the cone.  
   
   
       39 . A device as defined in  claim 37 , wherein the support structure additionally includes a plurality of wires that are attached to the elongate shaft at the apex of the cone, wherein the wires radiate outwardly from the elongate shaft adjacent the body.  
   
   
       40 . A device as defined in  claim 39 , wherein the plurality of wires are attached to the body.  
   
   
       41 . A device as defined in  claim 39 , wherein the body is formed of a plurality of sections, and wherein the sections are delineated by the plurality of wires.  
   
   
       42 . A device as defined in  claim 28 , wherein the body is formed of a single piece.  
   
   
       43 . A device as defined in  claim 28 , wherein the body is formed of a plurality of sections.  
   
   
       44 . A device as defined in  claim 28 , wherein the body is elastic.  
   
   
       45 . A device as defined in  claim 28 , wherein the body is flexible.  
   
   
       46 . A device as defined in  claim 28 , wherein the body is expandable and retractable in size.  
   
   
       47 . A device as defined in  claim 31 , wherein the support structure comprises Nitinol.  
   
   
       48 . A flow-control device for regulating fluid flow through a bronchial passageway, comprising: 
 a valve comprised of an annular wall dimensioned to fit within the bronchial passageway, wherein the device can be removably mounted in the bronchial passageway such that the annular wall engages an interior wall of the bronchial passageway so that the device obstructs the bronchial passageway and prevents fluid from flowing through the bronchial passageway in a first direction, and wherein the annular wall can disengage from interior wall of the bronchial passageway when exposed to fluid flow in a second direction while the device is mounted within the bronchial passageway such that fluid can flow in a second direction through the bronchial passageway in between the annular wall and the interior wall of the bronchial passageway.    
   
   
       49 . A device as defined in  claim 48 , additionally comprising a support structure attached to the valve, wherein the support structure includes at least one anchoring element that anchors against the interior wall to secure the device in a fixed position in the bronchial passageway.  
   
   
       50 . A device as defined in  claim 49 , wherein the at least one anchoring element is positioned on a proximal side of the valve.  
   
   
       51 . A device as defined in  claim 49 , wherein the at least one anchoring element is positioned on a distal side of the valve.  
   
   
       52 . A device as defined in  claim 49 , wherein at least one anchoring element is positioned on a proximal side of the valve and at least one anchoring element is positioned on a distal side of the valve.  
   
   
       53 . A device as defined in  claim 49 , wherein the at least one anchoring element comprises a wire.  
   
   
       54 . A device as defined in  claim 49 , wherein the anchoring element includes at least one prong that engages the interior wall of the bronchial passageway.  
   
   
       55 . A device as defined in  claim 49 , wherein the support structure includes an elongate shaft that define a central axis of the device, and wherein the support structure includes a plurality of wires, each wired attached at a first end to the elongate shaft such that the plurality of wires that radiate outwardly from the central axis, the wires being positioned adjacent the annular wall.  
   
   
       56 . A device as defined in  claim 55 , wherein the wires are attached to the annular wall.  
   
   
       57 . A device as defined in  claim 55 , wherein the wires divide the annular wall into separate sections.  
   
   
       58 . A device as defined in  claim 49 , wherein the support structure is expandable.  
   
   
       59 . A device as defined in  claim 49 , wherein the support structure comprises Nitinol.  
   
   
       60 . A device as defined in  claim 48 , wherein the annular wall forms a generally conical shape.  
   
   
       61 . A device as defined in  claim 60 , wherein the annular wall includes a plurality of separate, independent sections.  
   
   
       62 . A device as defined in  claim 60 , wherein the annular wall is a single piece.  
   
   
       63 . A device as defined in  claim 48 , additionally comprising a support structure having an elongate shaft that defines a central axis of the device, and wherein a first end of the annular wall is attached to the elongate shaft and wherein a second end of the annular wall is radially spaced from the elongate shaft so that the annular wall forms a cone about the central axis.  
   
   
       64 . A device as defined in  claim 63 , wherein the second end of the annular wall engages the engages the interior wall of the bronchial passageway when the device obstructs the bronchial passageway, and wherein the second end of the annular wall is spaced from the interior wall of the bronchial passageway when the wall disengages from the interior wall of the bronchial passageway.  
   
   
       65 . A device as defined in  claim 63 , wherein the support structure includes at least one anchoring element that anchors against the interior wall to secure the device in a fixed position in the bronchial passageway.  
   
   
       66 . A device as defined in  claim 48 , wherein the annular wall is elastic.  
   
   
       67 . A device as defined in  claim 48 , wherein the annular wall is flexible.  
   
   
       68 . A device as defined in  claim 48 , wherein annular wall has a thickness that varies at different locations of the wall.  
   
   
       69 . A device as defined in  claim 48 , wherein the annular wall can fold.  
   
   
       70 . A device as defined in  claim 48 , wherein the annular wall includes at least one seam.  
   
   
       71 . A flow-control device for regulating fluid flow through a bronchial passageway, comprising: 
 a body dimensioned to fit within the bronchial passageway so that the body can be removably located within the bronchial passageway,    wherein the body operates in a flow-blocking mode wherein the body engages an interior wall of the bronchial passageway to block fluid flow through the bronchial passageway in an inhalation direction, and    wherein the body also operates in a flow-allowing mode wherein the body yields to disengage from the interior wall of the bronchial passageway and permit fluid to flow in an expiration direction through the bronchial passageway in-between the body and the interior wall of the bronchial passageway.    
   
   
       72 . A flow-control device for regulating fluid flow through a bronchial passageway, comprising: 
 a body dimensioned to be inserted into a bronchial passageway, wherein the body is shaped to engage an interior wall of the bronchial passageway and form a seal with the wall and thereby block the flow of fluid in a first direction through the bronchial passageway, and wherein the body yields to disengage the interior wall of the bronchial passageway to permit fluid to flow through the bronchial passageway in a second direction and in between the body and the interior wall of the bronchial passageway.