Devices and methods for maintaining collateral channels in tissue

Abstract

The devices and methods of placement of such devices disclosed herein are directed to altering gaseous flow within a lung to improve the expiration cycle of, for instance, an individual having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. More particularly, these devices produce and maintain collateral openings or channels through the airway wall so that oxygen depleted/carbon dioxide rich air is able to pass directly out of the lung tissue to facilitate both the exchange of oxygen ultimately into the blood and/or to decompress hyper-inflated lungs. The medical kits disclosed herein are also directed to produce and maintain collateral openings through airway walls.

1 . A method of placing a conduit within lung tissue comprising: feeding a guide-wire to a site within the lung; advancing a conduit to the site using the guide-wire; and placing the conduit within lung tissue at the site.  
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising inserting an access device within the lung, the access device adapted to locate the site prior to the feeding step, wherein the access device includes at least one lumen.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the access device comprises a bronchoscope.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 feeding a blood-vessel detection device through the lumen of the access device; and    selecting the site within the lungs using the blood-vessel detection device to avoid blood vessels within the lung.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 feeding a guide-wire through the lumen of the access device; and    creating a collateral channel with the guide-wire at the site prior to placing the conduit.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 leaving the guide-wire extending through the collateral channel and withdrawing the access device from the lung    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising: 
 returning the access device to a point near the collateral channel to allow visualization of the collateral channel    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 feeding a hole-making device through the lumen of the access device; and    creating a collateral channel with the hole-making device at the site prior to placing the conduit.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein feeding the guide-wire to the site comprises feeding the guide-wire through the collateral channel.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein advancing the conduit comprises feeding a catheter having a conduit attached thereto over the guide-wire to the collateral channel.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  10 , wherein placing the conduit within lung tissue 
 further includes expanding the conduit within the collateral channel.    
   
   
       12 - 37 . (canceled)  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 1 , further compromising visualizing the placement of the conduit using radiological imaging.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 38 , further compromising various agents are used to enhance the visibility of hyperinflated portions of the lung.  
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising creating a collateral channel at the site and feeding a balloon device through the access device to dilate the collateral channel.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 2 , further compromising feeding a drug delivery device through the access device; and to the formed collateral channel.  
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41 , further compromising drugs or medicines are delivered through the device.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 41 , further compromising bio-compatible adhesives are delivered through the device.  
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 1 , further compromising determination of collateral ventilation used to aid in creating a collateral channel at the site.