Removable anchored lung volume reduction devices and methods

Abstract

An intra-bronchial device may be placed and anchored in an air passageway of a patient to collapse a lung portion associated with the air passageway. The device includes an obstructing member that prevents air from being inhaled into the lung portion, and an anchor that anchors the obstruction device within the air passageway. The anchor may piercingly engage the air passageway wall. The anchor may be releasable from the air passageway for removal of the obstructing member. The anchor may be releasable by collapsing a portion of the obstructing member, or by drawing the obstructing member toward the larynx. The obstructing member may be a one-way valve.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An intra-bronchial device for placement in an air passageway of a patient to collapse a lung portion associated with the air passageway, the device comprising: 
 an obstructing member that prevents air from being inhaled into the lung portion to collapse the lung portion; and    an anchor that anchors the obstruction device within the air passageway when the anchor is deployed.    
     
     
         2 . The intra-bronchial device of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor engages the air passageway wall.  
     
     
         3 . The intra-bronchial device of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor pierces into the air passageway wall.  
     
     
         4 . The intra-bronchial device of  claim 1 , wherein the obstructing member and the anchor are simultaneously deployable.  
     
     
         5 . The intra-bronchial device of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor is releasable from the air passageway for removal of the obstructing member.  
     
     
         6 . The intra-bronchial device of  claim 1  wherein a portion of the intra-bronchial device is collapsible.  
     
     
         7 . The intra-bronchial device of  claim 6 , wherein the anchor is releasable from the air passageway for removal of the obstructing member by collapsing a portion of the obstructing member.  
     
     
         8 . The intra-bronchial device of  claim 6 , wherein the anchor is releasable from the air passageway for removal of the obstructing member by drawing the obstructing member proximally.  
     
     
         9 . The intra-bronchial device of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor includes a resilient material for imparting a force against the air passageway to deform the air passageway to more positively anchor the obstructing member.  
     
     
         10 . The intra-bronchial device of  claim 1 , wherein the obstructing member comprises material having memory of an original shape, and resiliency to return the material to that shape.  
     
     
         11 . The intra-bronchial device of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor comprises material having memory of an original shape, and resiliency to return the material to that shape.  
     
     
         12 . The intra-bronchial device of  claim 1 , wherein the obstructing member is a one-way valve.  
     
     
         13 . A method of reducing the size of a lung by collapsing a portion of the lung, the method including the steps of: 
 providing an intra-bronchial device comprising an obstructing member which is so dimensioned when deployed in an air passageway communicating with the portion of the lung to be collapsed to preclude air from being inhaled, and an anchor that anchors the obstructing member when the anchor is deployed;    placing the obstructing member in the air passageway; and    deploying the anchor.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the anchor is releasable for removal of the obstructing member.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the obstructing member forms a one-way valve.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein a portion of the obstructing member is collapsible.  
     
     
         17 . A method of reducing the size of a lung by collapsing a portion of the lung with a removable device, the method including the steps of: 
 providing an intra-bronchial device an obstructing member which is so dimensioned when deployed in an air passageway communicating with the portion of the lung to be collapsed to preclude air from being inhaled, and an anchor that anchors the obstructing member when the anchor is deployed;    placing the obstructing member in the air passageway;    deploying an anchor; and    removing the obstructing member.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the anchor is releasable from the air passageway for removal of the intra-bronchial device, and the step of removing the obstructing member includes the further step of releasing the anchor.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the obstructing member forms a one-way valve.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein at least a portion of the obstructing member is collapsible, and the step of removing the obstructing member includes the further step of collapsing a portion of the obstructing member.  
     
     
         21 . An air passageway obstructing device comprising: 
 obstructing means for obstructing air flow within the air passageway; and    anchoring means to anchor the air passageway obstructing device within the air passageway.    
     
     
         22 . An air passageway obstructing device comprising: 
 obstructing means for obstructing air flow within the air passageway; and    anchoring means to anchor the air passageway obstructing device within the air passageway, the anchoring means being releasable for removal of the obstructing means from the air passageway.