Endobronchial Catheter Isolation for Real-Time Lung Segment Diagnostics

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current diagnostic methods for lung diseases such as COPD are inefficient in quantifying collateral ventilation, perfusion status, and oxygen absorption, and lack real-time assessment of lung functionality, leading to suboptimal treatment decisions.

Innovation Solution

A minimally invasive catheter-based system that isolates lung compartments using an occluding member to measure respiratory characteristics, oxygen saturation, and tidal flow volume, enabling rapid and accurate determination of collateral ventilation, perfusion efficiency, and lung functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If current diagnostic methods are used to assess lung functionality, then treatment decisions can be made, but the assessment is inefficient and lacks real-time measurement capability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic efficiencyVSAvoidtime for treatment decision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical diagnostic systems with a simplified catheter-based measurement system that directly measures respiratory mechanics parameters (pressure, flow, volume) in real-time, eliminating the need for multiple separate imaging and functional tests

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The diagnostic catheter integrates multiple measurement capabilities (pressure sensing, flow measurement, volume assessment) into a single device that can evaluate multiple lung compartments simultaneously, providing comprehensive diagnostic information through one procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If collateral ventilation is not accurately quantified, then treatment decisions may be suboptimal, but current methods lack precision in measuring collateral ventilation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollateral ventilation quantificationVSAvoiddiagnostic system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the lung into separate measurable compartments using isolated catheter positioning, allowing independent measurement of each lung segment's ventilation and collateral flow characteristics, thereby precisely quantifying collateral ventilation without requiring complex whole-lung analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The diagnostic catheter acts as an intermediary device that introduces controlled pressure changes and measures the resulting flow responses to indirectly but precisely quantify collateral ventilation through pressure-flow relationships, avoiding direct visualization complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If perfusion status and oxygen absorption are not assessed in real-time, then treatment efficacy cannot be optimized, but current methods lack real-time assessment capability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment decision accuracyVSAvoidassessment speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous real-time monitoring of perfusion status and oxygen absorption through the diagnostic catheter during the procedure, allowing immediate assessment of treatment effects and continuous optimization rather than discrete pre-post comparisons

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides immediate feedback on perfusion and oxygenation measurements to guide treatment decisions, allowing real-time adjustment of therapy based on actual physiological response rather than delayed or predicted outcomes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Enables rapid and accurate assessment of lung functionality, allowing for precise treatment decisions by quantifying collateral ventilation and perfusion status, thereby improving treatment efficacy for lung diseases.

Implementation Method 1

isolates a lung compartment by occluding an airway

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS12465249B2Methods and systems for endobronchial diagnostics

Publication Date: 2025.11.11 PULMONX CORP

AI summary

Methods and systems for targeting, accessing and diagnosing diseased lung compartments are disclosed. The method comprises introducing a diagnostic catheter with an occluding member at its distal end into a lung segment via an assisted ventilation device; inflating the occluding member to isolate the lung segment; and performing a diagnostic procedure with the catheter while the patient is ventilated. The proximal end of the diagnostic catheter is configured to be attached to a console. The method may also comprise introducing the diagnostic catheter into the lung segment; inflating the occluding member to isolate the lung segment; and monitoring blood oxygen saturation. The method may further comprise introducing the diagnostic catheter into the lung segment; determining tidal flow volume in the lung segment; determining total lung capacity of the patient; and determining a flow rank value based on the tidal flow volume of the lung segment and the total lung capacity.