Material removal from a lung or bronchial tree

Abstract

A method can include introducing a device into a lung of a patient to a site of a material lodged in the lung. The device can include a distal end configured to core the material, a proximal end, and a tube that includes a hollow interior. The method can further include coring from the material a piece that is sized to pass through the hollow interior of the tube using the distal end of the device. The method can further include applying suction to the proximal end of the device to pass the piece through the hollow interior of the tube and out of the device through the proximal end. Other and further methods are also disclosed.

1 . A method comprising:
 introducing a device into a lung of a patient to a site of a material lodged in the lung, the device comprising a distal end configured to core the material, a proximal end, and a tube that comprises a hollow interior;   coring from the material a piece that is sized to pass through the hollow interior of the tube using the distal end of the device; and   applying suction to the proximal end of the device to pass the piece through the hollow interior of the tube and out of the device through the proximal end.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising introducing a bronchoscope into the lung to the site of the material, the bronchoscope defining a channel,
 wherein said introducing the device into the lung comprises delivering the device through the channel of the bronchoscope.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising visualizing the site of the material. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said applying suction to the proximal end of the device to pass the piece through the hollow interior of the tube and out of the device through the proximal end preserves visualization of the site of the material. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said introducing the device into the lung further comprises deploying the device past a distal end of the bronchoscope into contact with the material. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising maintaining the bronchoscope in place within the lung during said coring from the material and during said applying suction to the proximal end of the device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tube comprises the distal end of the device. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the tube further comprises the proximal end of the device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising using the distal end of the device to repetitively core pieces from the material, wherein said applying suction to the proximal end of the device further passes the pieces through the hollow interior of the tube and out of the device through the proximal end. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising coupling the proximal end of the device to a collection cannister and a source of suction. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising collecting the piece in the collection cannister. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the material comprises mucous. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method comprising:
 introducing a device into the bronchial tree of a patient to a site of a material lodged in the bronchial tree, the device comprising a distal end configured to core the material, a proximal end, and a tube that comprises a hollow interior;   coring from the material a piece that is sized to pass through the hollow interior of the tube using the distal end of the device; and   applying suction to the proximal end of the device to pass the piece through the hollow interior of the tube and out of the device through the proximal end.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the tube comprises the distal end of the device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the tube further comprises the proximal end of the device. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising using the distal end of the device to repetitively core pieces from the material, wherein said applying suction to the proximal end of the device further passes the pieces through the hollow interior of the tube and out of the device through the proximal end. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising coupling the proximal end of the device to a collection cannister and a source of suction. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising collecting the piece in the collection cannister. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the material comprises mucous. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A method comprising:
 advancing a bronchoscope through the bronchial tree of a patient to a site of a material trapped in the bronchial tree, the bronchoscope defining a channel;   deploying a device through the channel of the bronchoscope to the site of the material, the device comprising a distal end configured to core the material, a proximal end, and a tube that comprises a hollow interior;   coring from the material a piece that is sized to pass through the hollow interior of the tube using the distal end of the device; and   applying suction to the device to pass the piece through the hollow interior of the tube and to move the piece out of the device.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the material is trapped within a lung of the patient. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the material comprises mucous. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the mucous causes mucous plugging. 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising visualizing the site of the material. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said applying suction to the proximal end of the device to pass the piece through the hollow interior of the tube and out of the device through the proximal end preserves visualization of the site of the material. 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said deploying the device through the channel of the bronchoscope to the site of the material further comprises deploying the device past a distal end of the bronchoscope into contact with the material. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising maintaining the bronchoscope in place within the bronchial tree during said coring from the material and during said applying suction to the device. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the tube comprises the distal end of the device. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the tube further comprises the proximal end of the device. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising using the distal end of the device to repetitively core pieces from the material, wherein said applying suction to the proximal end of the device further passes the pieces through the hollow interior of the tube and out of the device through the proximal end. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising coupling the proximal end of the device to a collection cannister and a source of suction. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising collecting the piece in the collection cannister.