Methods and Devices for Lung Treatment

Abstract

A method of diagnosing collateral ventilation between regions of a lung includes the step of measuring at least one parameter associated with a target lung region while a catheter is positioned in the target lung region. A level of collateral fluid flow into the target lung region is detected based on the at least one parameter.

1 . A method of diagnosing collateral ventilation between regions of a lung, comprising: 
 positioning a catheter transtracheally into a bronchial passageway that provides direct fluid flow into a target region of the lung; and    detecting the presence of collateral fluid flow into or out of the target region of the lung based on the presence of the catheter in the bronchial passageway.    
   
   
       2 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising measuring a level of collateral fluid flow into or out of the target region.  
   
   
       3 . A method as in  claim 2 , further comprising determining a treatment plan for the lung based on the level or direction of collateral fluid flow.  
   
   
       4 . A method as in  claim 3 , further comprising treating the lung based on the treatment plan.  
   
   
       5 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the catheter is a balloon catheter having an inflatable balloon, and further comprising: 
 inflating the balloon on the balloon catheter to seal the catheter in the bronchial passageway;    detecting the presence of collateral fluid flow by measuring at least one lung parameter affected by the presence of the balloon catheter in the lung.    
   
   
       6 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the catheter is a delivery catheter, and further comprising: 
 deploying a flow control element in the bronchial passageway, wherein the flow control element at least partially occludes the bronchial passageway.    
   
   
       7 . A method of diagnosing collateral ventilation between regions of a lung, comprising: 
 modifying direct fluid flow into a target lung region; and    detecting the presence of collateral fluid flow into the target lung region.    
   
   
       8 . A method as in  claim 7 , wherein direct fluid flow is modified by inserting a catheter into a bronchial passageway that provides direct fluid flow to the target lung region.  
   
   
       9 . A method as in  claim 7 , wherein direct fluid flow is modified by at least partially occluding a bronchial passageway that provides direct fluid flow to the target lung region.  
   
   
       10 . A method as in  claim 7 , further comprising measuring a level of collateral fluid flow into or out of the target region.  
   
   
       11 . A method as in  claim 10 , further comprising determining a treatment plan for the lung based on the level of collateral fluid flow.  
   
   
       12 . A method as in  claim 7 , further comprising treating the lung to reduce the collateral fluid flow into or out of the targeted lung region.  
   
   
       13 . A method of diagnosing collateral ventilation between regions of a lung, comprising: 
 measuring at least one parameter associated with a target lung region while a catheter is positioned in the target lung region; and    calculating a level of collateral fluid flow into the target lung region based on the at least one parameter.    
   
   
       14 . A method as in  claim 13 , further comprising treating the patient based on the calculated level of collateral fluid flow.  
   
   
       15 . A method as in  claim 14 , wherein treating the patient comprises causing the target lung region to at least partially reduce in volume.  
   
   
       16 . A method as in  claim 15 , wherein treating the patient comprises at least partially occluding a bronchial passageway feeding the target lung region.  
   
   
       17 . A method as in  claim 15  wherein treating the patient comprises at least partially blocking collateral fluid flow into or out of the target lung region.  
   
   
       18 . A method of diagnosing collateral ventilation between regions of a lung, comprising: 
 positioning a catheter transtracheally into a bronchial passageway that provides direct fluid flow into a target region of the lung;    generating at least one measurement associated with the target region of the lung; and    calculating a level of collateral fluid flow into the target lung region based on the at least one measurement.    
   
   
       19 . A method of treating the lung, comprising: 
 inserting a balloon catheter into a bronchial passageway that provides direct fluid flow to a first lung region;    inflating a balloon on the balloon catheter to seal the catheter in the bronchial passageway;    inserting a marker gas into the lung;    measuring a lung parameter through the catheter based on the presence of the marker gas within the lung;    detecting the presence of a collateral pathway to the first lung region based on the measured lung parameter; and    treating the lung.