Bronchial Flow Restrictor for Controlled Lung Volume Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for lung diseases like COPD, such as lung volume reduction surgery and endobronchial volume reduction, are invasive and carry risks like pneumothorax due to uncontrolled air exchange and rapid tissue collapse, which can lead to respiratory complications and are not suitable for all patients.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a bronchial flow restrictor that reduces air exchange between the diseased lung region and the feeding airway, allowing controlled atelectasis and hypoxia to occur gradually, thereby reducing the risk of pneumothorax and improving gas exchange by diverting blood flow to healthier lung regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional lung volume reduction surgery is performed to treat COPD, then lung function is improved by reducing effective lung volume, but the procedure is significantly traumatic and carries high risks including respiratory failure, pneumonia, and death
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the lung into diseased and healthy portions by placing occlusive devices in specific airways to isolate only the target diseased regions. This allows volume reduction to be applied selectively to problematic segments while preserving healthy lung tissue, thereby improving safety while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces endobronchial occlusive devices as intermediary elements that mediate between the need for volume reduction and the risk of trauma. These devices create a controlled isolation mechanism that prevents direct surgical intervention, reducing invasiveness while achieving the desired therapeutic effect of lung volume reduction.
2Productivity
If endobronchial volume reduction uses occlusive devices to block airways, then volume reduction is achieved, but sudden blockage can cause pneumothorax due to rapid tissue collapse
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by gradually occluding airways over time rather than causing sudden blockage. The occlusive devices are designed to allow controlled atelectasis to develop progressively, preventing the rapid pressure changes that lead to pneumothorax while still achieving the desired volume reduction effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention provides beforehand cushioning by designing occlusive devices that control the rate of airway closure and tissue collapse. This gradual approach cushions against the harmful effects of sudden blockage, reducing the risk of pneumothorax while maintaining the therapeutic benefit of volume reduction.
3Reliability
If hyper-expanded lung tissue occupies more pleural space, then air trapping occurs in diseased regions, but this reduces space available for healthy lung tissue and compresses functional airways
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the lung volume by selectively occluding airways leading to diseased regions. This reduces the volume of hyper-expanded tissue in targeted segments while preserving healthy lung volume, thereby improving gas exchange efficiency without compromising overall lung function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by reducing volume only in diseased lung segments where it is needed, while maintaining normal volume in healthy regions. This localized approach improves overall lung mechanics and gas exchange by eliminating the harmful effects of hyper-expanded diseased tissue without affecting healthy functional tissue.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The controlled atelectasis and hypoxia induced by the flow restrictor lead to a slower lung region collapse, reducing the risk of pneumothorax and improving ventilation and perfusion matching, enhancing gas exchange and oxygenation without the need for extensive lung volume reduction.
Implementation Method 1
The flow restrictor reduces air exchange between upstream of the restrictor and downstream of the restrictor
Implementation Method 2
allowing controlled atelectasis and hypoxia to occur gradually, thereby reducing the risk of pneumothorax and improving gas exchange by diverting blood flow to healthier lung regions
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3
AI summary
Lung conditions are treated by implanting a flow restrictor in a passageway upstream from a diseased lung segment. The restrictor will create an orifice at the implantation site which inhibits air exchange with the segment to induce controlled atelectasis and/or hypoxia. Controlled atelectasis can induce collapse of the diseased segment with a reduced risk of pneumothorax. Hypoxia can promote gas exchange with non-isolated, healthy regions of the lung even in the absence of lung collapse.