Bronchial flow control devices and methods of use

Abstract

Methods and systems for lung volume reduction of a patient are described. The methods include implanting a flow control device in a bronchial passageway of the lung. The flow control device regulates fluid flow through the bronchial passageway. A region of the lung is aspirated distal of the flow control device while the patient is inhaling.

1 . A method for lung volume reduction of a patient, comprising: 
 applying suction to a lung region, wherein the suction is applied in synchronization with the patient's inhalation.    
   
   
       2 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein a pulsatile suction is applied to the lung region during at least a portion of the patient's inhalation.  
   
   
       3 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein a continuous suction is applied to the lung region during at least a portion of the patient's inhalation.  
   
   
       4 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising implanting a flow control device in a bronchial passageway of the lung, wherein the flow control device regulates fluid flow through the bronchial passageway.  
   
   
       5 . A method as in  claim 4 , wherein the flow control device blocks fluid flow through the bronchial passageway.  
   
   
       6 . A method as in  claim 4 , wherein the flow control device comprises a one-way valve that permits fluid flow in an exhalation direction and prevents fluid flow in an inspiration direction through the flow control device.  
   
   
       7 . A method as in  claim 4 , further comprising inserting a catheter into the bronchial passageway and applying suction to the lung region through a distal end of the catheter.  
   
   
       8 . A method as in  claim 7 , wherein the distal end of the catheter is positioned in the bronchial passageway distal of the flow control device during suction.  
   
   
       9 . A method as in  claim 7 , wherein the distal end of the catheter is positioned in the bronchial passageway proximal of the flow control device during suction.  
   
   
       10 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising collapsing the lung region as a result of the suction.  
   
   
       11 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising inserting a catheter into the bronchial passageway and applying suction to the lung region through a distal end of the catheter.  
   
   
       12 . A method as in  claim 11 , wherein the suction provides a pressure sufficient to cause the bronchial passageway to collapse at a location distal of the distal end of the catheter as a result of the suction and wherein the suction is pulsatile and the bronchial passageway re-opens in between pulses of suction.  
   
   
       13 . A method for lung volume reduction of a patient, comprising: 
 implanting a flow control device in a bronchial passageway of the lung, wherein the flow control device regulates fluid flow through the bronchial passageway;    aspirating a region of the lung distal of the flow control device while the patient is inhaling.    
   
   
       14 . A method as in  claim 13 , wherein aspirating a region of the lung comprises applying a pulsatile suction to the region of the lung.  
   
   
       15 . A method as in  claim 13 , wherein aspirating a region of the lung comprises applying a continuous suction to the region of the lung.  
   
   
       16 . A method as in  claim 13 , further comprising implanting a flow control device in a bronchial passageway of the lung, wherein the flow control device regulates fluid flow through the bronchial passageway.  
   
   
       17 . A method as in  claim 13 , further comprising inserting a catheter into the bronchial passageway and applying suction to the lung region through a distal end of the catheter.  
   
   
       18 . A method as in  claim 13 , further comprising collapsing the lung region as a result of the suction.  
   
   
       19 . A method for lung volume reduction of a patient, comprising: 
 suctioning a region of the lung while the patient is inhaling.    
   
   
       20 . A method as in  claim 19 , further comprising implanting a flow control device in a bronchial passageway of the lung, wherein the flow control device regulates fluid flow through the bronchial passageway.