Articulable anchor

Abstract

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to devices implantable into a human lung, for example to reduce the volume of air trapped in a diseased portion of the lung to prevent inhalation while permitting expiration out of the diseased portion. In some embodiments, the device comprises a distal portion with an anchor system that may anchor the device into tissue of an air passageway wall, and the distal portion may be connected to a proximal portion via a flexible portion that permits the distal portion to articulate substantially with respect to the proximal portion, such that the distal portion and the proximal portion may be non-collinear along a longitudinal axis of the distal portion. This may facilitate implantation of the device into a non-linear air passageway.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An implantable device configured to be secured within an air passageway, the device comprising:
 an anchor system comprising at least one piercing tip and being configured to engage tissue of an air passageway wall;   a proximal valve portion; and   a flexible connecting portion connected to both the proximal valve portion and the anchor system and positioned there between, the flexible connecting portion configured to apply a force to the proximal valve portion to enhance seating between the proximal valve portion and airway passage.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the proximal valve portion is configured to move in a distal and a proximal direction with respect to the anchor system in response to exhalation and inhalation when implanted in the air passageway. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible connecting portion comprises a coil spring. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible connecting portion comprises a tube in which slots of an alternating pattern are cut. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible connecting portion comprises a mesh. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the anchor system comprises one or more stops configured to limit a depth to which the piercing tip engages tissue of the air passageway wall. 
     
     
         8 . An implantable device configured to be secured within an air passageway, the device comprising:
 an anchor system having portions configured to pierce tissue of an air passageway wall;   a proximal one-way valve; and   a connecting portion having a first end connected to the proximal one-way valve and a second end connected to the anchor system, the connecting portion configured to apply distal force on the one-way valve to enhance seating between the proximal valve portion and airway passage.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the proximal one-way valve is configured to move in a distal and a proximal direction with respect to the anchor system in response to exhalation and inhalation when implanted in the air passageway. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the connecting portion comprises a coil spring. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the connecting portion comprises a tube in which slots of an alternating pattern are cut. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the connecting portion comprises a mesh. 
     
     
         13 . An implantable device configured to be secured within an air passageway, the device comprising:
 a frame having a concave side and a convex side;   a membrane supported by the frame;   an anchor system comprising a plurality of anchor arms; and   a connecting portion having a first end connected to the frame and a second end connected to the anchor system, the connecting portion configured to bias the frame toward the anchor system.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the frame, anchor system, and connecting portion are formed as a unitary part. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the convex side of the frame is connected to the connecting portion. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the concave side of the frame faces away from the anchor system. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein a distance between the first and second ends of the connecting portion is configured to change in response to inhalation and exhalation when the device is implanted in the air passageway. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the connecting portion is constructed by cutting a tube. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the membrane is carried on the entire frame. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein each of the anchor arms comprises a first end connected to the connecting portion and a second end positioned away from the connecting portion. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the second end of each of the anchor arms is positioned entirely distal of the connecting portion and of the frame when the device is implanted in the air passageway and when the concave side of the frame faces a proximal direction