Methods for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

The methods and devices disclosed altering gaseous flow within a lung to improve the expiration cycle of individuals having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 633,902, filed Aug. 4, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 633,651 filed Aug. 7, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,692,494, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 147,528 filed Aug. 5, 1999 and 60 / 176,141 filed Jan. 14, 2000, all of which are incorporated in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to methods and devices to allow expired air able to pass out of the lung tissue to facilitate both the exchange of oxygen ultimately into the blood and / or to decompress hyper-inflated lungs. The invention also directed to methods and devices to altering gaseous flow within a lung to improve the expiration cycle of an individual, particularly individuals having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The term “Chronic Obstruc...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019] The invention may include adding an agent to the lungs for improving the imaging. For example, a gas may be inserted into the lungs to provide contrast to identify hyperinflation of the lungs during an x-ray or other non-invasive imaging. For example, 133Xe (Xenon 133) may be used as the agent. Also, a contrast agent may help in identifying blood vessels during CT scans. Another example includes inserting a fluid in the lungs to couple an ultrasound sensor to the wall of an airway.

Problems solved by technology

Those inflicted with COPD face disabilities due to the limited pulmonary functions.

Usually, individuals afflicted by COPD also face loss in muscle strength and an inability to perform common daily activities.

Since the damage to the lungs is irreversible, there is little hope of recovery.

Most times, the physician cannot reverse the effects of the disease but can only offer treatment and advice to halt the progression of the disease.

However, these conducting airways do not take part in gas exchange because they do not contain alveoli.

If the lungs' ability to recoil is damaged, the lungs cannot contract and reduce in size from their inflated state.

As a result, the lungs cannot evacuate all of the inspired air.

Also, the bio-chemical breakdown of the walls of the alveolar walls causes a loss of radial support for airways which results in a narrowing of the airways on expiration.

As a result of the COPD, the airways close prematurely at an abnormally high lung volume.

Consequently, this increased residual gas volume interferes with the ability of the lung to draw in additional gas during inspiration.

Yet, while the resistance to collateral ventilation may be decreased in an emphysematous lung the decreased resistance does not assist the patient in breathing due to the inability of the gasses to enter and exit the lungs as a whole.

Yet, bronchodilator drugs are only effective for a short period of time and require repeated application.

Moreover, the bronchodilator drugs are only effective in a certain percentage of the population of those diagnosed with COPD.

Unfortunately, aside from the impracticalities of needing to maintain and transport a source of oxygen for everyday activities, the oxygen is only partially functional and does not eliminate the effects of the COPD.

Moreover, patients requiring a supplemental source of oxygen are usually never able to return to functioning without the oxygen.

However, lung reduction surgery is an extremely traumatic procedure which involves opening the chest and thoracic cavity to remove a portion of the lung.

Both bronchodilator drugs and lung reduction surgery fail to capitalize on the increased collateral ventilation taking place in the diseased lung.

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