Implanted Bronchial Valve for Lung Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pulmonary diseases like COPD reduce lung elasticity, leading to inefficient air expulsion and oxygen exchange due to hyper-expanded, less elastic tissue, which current flow control devices are still in the development stages to effectively address.
Innovation Solution
A flow control device with a valve element comprising lips and inclined flaps that transitions between closed and open configurations based on airflow direction, specifically designed to be implanted in bronchial passageways to regulate airflow and induce lung region collapse, with a cracking pressure set above normal breathing pressures to prevent premature opening during exhalation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flow control device is implanted in a bronchial passageway to isolate a diseased lung region, then the volume of the diseased region is reduced and breathing efficiency is improved, but the device may open prematurely during normal exhalation if the cracking pressure is too low, compromising isolation effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The cracking pressure of the valve element is specifically adjusted to exceed normal exhalation pressure but remain below pathological pressure thresholds. This parameter optimization ensures the valve remains closed during normal breathing (maintaining isolation) while allowing opening when clinically indicated, resolving the contradiction between reliable isolation and proper breathing function
Solution Approach 2:
The valve element acts as an intermediary mechanism between the diseased and healthy lung regions. By positioning the valve at a critical pressure threshold, it mediates airflow based on physiological needs, allowing isolation during normal function while permitting flow when pressure differential indicates clinical necessity
2Productivity
If the valve element allows airflow during exhalation to improve breathing mechanics, then healthy lung function is enhanced, but airflow in the inspiratory direction may occur which would compromise the isolation of the diseased region
Solution Approach 1:
The valve element exhibits asymmetric flow characteristics with different cracking pressures for inspiration and expiration directions. The expiratory cracking pressure is set below inspiratory cracking pressure, allowing the valve to open during exhalation (improving breathing efficiency) while remaining closed during inspiration (maintaining isolation integrity)
Solution Approach 2:
The valve element dynamically responds to pressure differential direction and magnitude. It transitions between closed and open states based on whether pressure exceeds the direction-specific cracking pressure, enabling adaptive isolation that permits exhalation flow while blocking inspiratory flow to maintain isolation integrity
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 device effectively isolates diseased lung regions, improving exhalation efficiency by allowing airflow during exhalation while preventing inhalation airflow, thereby enhancing breathing mechanics and reducing the adverse effects of hyper-expanded tissue on healthy lung function.
Implementation Method 1
the valve element may be configured to open in response to fluid flow in the first direction that exceeds a rated cracking pressure of the valve member
Implementation Method 2
regulating fluid flow through the bronchial passageway in which the flow control device is implanted
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are methods and devices for regulating fluid flow to and from a region of a patient's lung, such as to achieve a desired fluid flow dynamic to a lung region during respiration and/or to induce collapse in one or more lung regions. Pursuant to an exemplary procedure, an identified region of the lung is targeted for treatment. The targeted lung region is then bronchially isolated to regulate airflow into and/or out of the targeted lung region through one or more bronchial passageways that feed air to the targeted lung region. An exemplary flow control device is configured to block fluid flow in the inspiratory direction and the expiratory direction at normal breathing pressures and allow fluid flow in the expiratory direction at higher than normal breathing pressures.