Catheter-Based Collateral Ventilation Assessment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for assessing and quantifying collateral ventilation in lungs are invasive, pose risks to patients, and lack accuracy, making it difficult to determine the effectiveness of treatments like Endobronchial Volume Reduction (EVR) and to map collateral ventilation levels for appropriate treatment planning.

Innovation Solution

A minimally invasive system and method using a catheter to occlude the feeding bronchus of a target lung compartment, allowing airflow measurement during exhalation to detect collateral ventilation, with optional use of an accumulator to accumulate air and sensors for pressure and flow rate analysis, enabling qualitative and quantitative assessment of collateral ventilation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional methods are used to assess collateral ventilation, then measurement capability is provided, but patient safety is compromised and measurement accuracy is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollateral ventilation measurement accuracyVSAvoidpatient risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical/invasive measurement methods with a minimally invasive catheter-based system that uses pressure and flow sensors to detect collateral ventilation indirectly, eliminating the need for complex surgical procedures while improving both safety and accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary catheter system with sensors that mediates between the patient's lung compartments and the measurement system, allowing safe and accurate detection of collateral ventilation through pressure and flow measurements without direct tissue manipulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If minimally invasive catheter-based measurement is used, then patient safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient riskVSAvoidcatheter system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter system is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a measurement device with integrated sensors and as a therapeutic delivery device, allowing the same system to assess collateral ventilation and potentially treat lung conditions, thereby reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the measurement functions (pressure sensing, flow measurement) into a single catheter assembly that can be advanced through the airways, combining multiple functions into one device rather than requiring separate systems for each measurement type

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If quantitative measurement of collateral ventilation is performed, then treatment planning accuracy is improved, but measurement time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollateral ventilation quantification accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter system enables continuous or repeated measurement of collateral ventilation through the same airway access point, allowing quantitative data to be collected over time without requiring repeated procedural interventions, thereby reducing total measurement time while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

This approach allows for safe, accurate, and minimally invasive assessment of collateral ventilation, improving the likelihood of successful treatments by providing diagnostic information for treatment planning and reducing complications, time, and costs.

Implementation Method 1

A catheter is advanced through the tracheobronchial tree to a feeding bronchus of a target compartment. The feeding bronchus is occluded by the catheter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical occlusion: Valve

Implementation Method 2

Measurements of flow or other respiratory or physiological parameters are then taken

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow measurement: Sonic Anemometer

Implementation Method 3

generating at least one measurement of pressure within the target lung segment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure measurement: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 4

an accumulator connectable to the catheter to accumulate air exhaled from the catheter over time

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas accumulation: Accumulator (energy)

Data Source

PatentUS7883471B2Minimally invasive determination of collateral ventilation in lungs

Publication Date: 2011.02.08 PULMONX CORP

AI summary

Minimally invasive methods, systems and devices are provided for qualitatively and quantitatively assessing collateral ventilation in the lungs. In particular, collateral ventilation of a target compartment within a lung of a patient is assessed by advancement of a catheter through the tracheobronchial tree to a feeding bronchus of the target compartment. The feeding bronchus is occluded by the catheter and a variety of measurements are taken with the use of the catheter in a manner which is of low risk to the patient. Examples of such measurements include but are not limited to flow rate, volume and pressure. These measurements are used to determine the presence of collateral ventilation and to quantify such collateral ventilation.