Devices for obstructing passage of air or other contaminants into a portion of a lung and methods of use

Abstract

Provided are devices, systems and methods of selectively controlling air flow into one or more section of a patient's lungs. In particular, the devices may be valve devices having an inner lumen configured to transition between a first diameter and a second diameter smaller than the first diameter to control the airflow through the valve.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A device, comprising:
 a valve configured to move between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein air is configured to encounter a greater resistance through the valve in the second configuration than in the first configuration; and   a controller configured to send an output to the valve, the controller being configured to:
 increase a frequency at which the valve transitions between the first configuration and the second configuration when a frequency of inhalation and exhalation of a lung increases; and 
 decrease the frequency at which the valve transitions between the first configuration and the second configuration when the frequency of inhalation and exhalation of the lung decreases. 
   
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the valve includes:
 a first member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween;   an inner member disposed about a portion of the lumen, wherein the inner member defines a first diameter in the first configuration, and defines a second diameter smaller than the first diameter in the second configuration; and   an actuation member for transitioning the inner member between the first configuration and the second configuration.   
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the first member comprises a wire frame having a plurality of interconnected wires. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the wire frame comprises an outer cover disposed about a portion of the wire frame. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the actuation member is configured to transition the valve from the first configuration to the second configuration in response to a magnetic force. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the actuation member includes an electro-active polymer disposed on the inner member. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the electro-active polymer is connected to an electrical power source. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the actuation member is configured to transition the valve from the first configuration to the second configuration in response to a stimulus. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the valve is biased in one of the first or second configurations. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 21 , further including a breathing sensor operatively coupled to the controller, the breathing sensor including an electrically conductive element, wherein the breathing sensor is configured to detect the frequency of inhalation and exhalation of the lung. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 30 , wherein the breathing sensor is configured to detect the frequency of inhalation and exhalation of the lung while the breathing sensor is coupled to a thorax. 
     
     
         32 . A device, comprising:
 a plurality of valves each having a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein air is configured to encounter a greater resistance through each of the plurality of valves in the second configuration than in the first configuration; and   a controller coupled to the plurality of valves, wherein the controller is configured to transition each of the plurality of valves between the first configuration and the second configuration based on a respective location of each of the plurality of valves in a lung.   
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 32 , wherein the plurality of valves includes a first valve configured to be placed in a first airway of the lung, and a second valve configured to be placed in a second airway of the lung that is different than the first airway of the lung, and wherein, over a period of one day, the controller is configured to maintain the first valve in the first configuration for a higher percentage of time than the second valve is maintained in the first configuration based on respective locations of the first airway and the second airway in the lung, and based on an ability of the lung to expand in respective portions of the lung adjacent to the first airway and the second airway. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 32 , wherein the controller is configured to transition each of the plurality of valves between the first configuration and the second configuration by changing a frequency of energy supplied to the plurality of valves. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 32 , further including a breathing sensor operatively coupled to the controller, the breathing sensor including an electrically conductive element, wherein the breathing sensor is configured to detect the breathing cycle of the lung while the breathing sensor is coupled to a thorax of a patient. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 35 , further including a wireless output operatively coupled to the breathing sensor, and a wireless receiver operatively coupled to the controller, wherein the wireless output is configured to send a wireless signal indicative of the detected breathing cycle to the wireless receiver. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 32 , wherein the controller is configured to increase a frequency at which at least one of the plurality of valves transitions between the first configuration and the second configuration when a frequency of inhalation and exhalation increases in the lung. 
     
     
         38 . A device, comprising:
 a first valve movable between a first configuration and a second configuration;   a breathing sensor configured to detect a breathing cycle of a patient; and   a controller coupled to the first valve, the controller being configured to transition the first valve between the first configuration and the second configuration based on the detected breathing cycle.   
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 38 , further including:
 a wireless receiver operatively coupled to the controller; and   a wireless output operatively coupled to the breathing sensor, wherein the wireless output is configured to send a wireless signal indicative of the detected breathing cycle to the wireless receiver.   
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 38 , further including an energy supply including an inductive coil configured to deliver energy to the first valve, wherein the controller is configured to transition the first valve between the first configuration and the second configuration by changing a frequency of the energy delivered from the energy supply to the first valve.