Removable lung reduction devices, systems, and methods

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 recollapsible 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 recollapsing the device and pulling the device proximally through a catheter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for limiting air flow in an air passageway, the device comprising:
 an elongated frame assembly comprising a proximal end and a distal end;   the elongated frame assembly further comprising a plurality of support members extending in a proximal direction from the distal end, each of the plurality of support members comprising a bent portion, the bent portion being positioned along a distal portion of each of the plurality of support members;   a flexible membrane overlying at least the distal portion of each of the plurality of support members including the bent portion;   a proximally positioned concave recess being defined at least in part by the plurality of support members and the flexible membrane, the proximally positioned concave recess comprising a proximally facing opening;   at least one anchor being distally positioned relative to the flexible membrane;   the device defining an obstructing structure configured to be implanted into the air passageway upstream from a target region, the device being configured to be deployed in the air passageway such that the device precludes air from flowing into the target region past the device while allowing air to flow out of the target region along a path between a portion of the flexible membrane and a wall of the air passageway.