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 re-collapsible 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 re-collapsing 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 obstructing structure configured to be implanted into the air passageway upstream from a target region, the device is configured to be deployed in the air passageway such that the device precludes air from flowing into the target region past the device and allows air to flow out of the target region along a path between a portion of the obstructing member and a wall of the air passageway.  
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the obstructing structure comprises a flexible membrane.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible membrane is supported by a plurality of frame support members.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the frame support members are elongate struts extending radially from an attachment.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the membrane has an at-rest shape comprising a substantially cylindrical section configured to seal against an air passageway wall.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising anchor members extending from a portion of the device.  
     
     
         7 . An intra-bronchial valve comprising a flexible membrane supported on a frame, the valve configured to be deployed in an air passageway of a lung such that fluid is permitted to flow past the valve along a path between the membrane and a portion of the air passageway wall in only one direction.  
     
     
         8 . An intra-bronchial valve device comprising: 
 a frame comprising a plurality of elongate frame supports joined by at least one attachment point;    a flexible membrane disposed on the frame and covering at least portions of the frame supports, the membrane having a concave side and a convex side;    wherein the device is configured to be implanted within an air passageway of a patient, and wherein the membrane is attached to the supports so as to preclude airflow through the passageway from the concave side to the convex side of the membrane while permitting air to flow from the convex side to the concave side along a path between the membrane and a portion of an air passageway wall.    
     
     
         9 . The intra-bronchial valve of  claim 8 , wherein the frame assumes an at-rest shape with a substantially cylindrical portion and at least one inwardly-arcuate end portion.  
     
     
         10 . The intra-bronchial valve of  claim 9 , wherein the frame is configured to be engaged by a retractor device and to be pulled into a lumen of a removal catheter.  
     
     
         11 . The intra-bronchial valve of  claim 10 , wherein the frame is configured such that pulling the frame into a catheter lumen causes the frame to collapse.  
     
     
         12 . The intra-bronchial valve of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one anchor member extending from the at least one common attachment point, said anchor member being configured to directly engage a portion of the air passageway wall.  
     
     
         13 . The intra-bronchial valve of  claim 12 , wherein the anchor member extends from a distal end of the frame.  
     
     
         14 . The intra-bronchial valve of  claim 12 , wherein the anchor member is configured to puncture portions of the air passageway wall.  
     
     
         15 . An air passageway obstructing device for use in occluding inspiratory airflow in an airway of a lung, the device comprising: 
 a frame comprising a plurality of struts joined to one another at a common point, the struts extending proximally and radially from the common point;    a membrane overlying the struts so as to form a concave side and a convex side of the membrane, the membrane being configured to prevent airflow between the concave side and the convex side.    
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the struts are configured to be radially collapsed and to return to an expanded shape upon release of a radial restraint.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15 , further comprising at least one anchor member attached to the frame and configured to retain the device against migration in an airway.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the struts are configured to impart a radially outward force to the membrane.  
     
     
         19 . A method of treating a lung, the method comprising: 
 delivering a one-way occlusion device to a deployment site, the occlusion device comprising an expandable frame supporting a membrane so as to form a concave side and a convex side of said membrane;    deploying said occlusion device in an airway of the lung at said deployment site, wherein air is precluded from flowing in a first direction from the concave side to the convex side of the membrane, and wherein fluid is permitted to flow in an opposite direction along a path between the membrane and the airway wall.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the membrane comprises an umbrella shape.