Lumen Occlusion Device for Lung Volume Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), particularly emphysema, are limited in reversing lung damage and effectively reducing lung volume, leading to inefficient gas exchange and respiratory complications.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an introducer sheath with a retention member and an elongate member featuring selectively actuatable members that transition between undeployed and deployed configurations to occlude lung lumens, allowing for lung volume reduction by collapsing diseased airways and redirecting airflow to healthier tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If lung volume reduction surgery is performed to treat emphysema, then gas exchange efficiency is improved, but the procedure complexity and risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the lung airway into multiple occlusion points using multiple deployable arms that can be independently positioned and activated. This allows selective closure of specific airway segments to reduce lung volume while preserving healthier tissue, thereby improving gas exchange efficiency through controlled, modular intervention rather than complex surgical resection
Solution Approach 2:
The device introduces an intermediary occlusion mechanism (deployable arms with closing members) between the airway lumen and complete tissue removal. This intermediary structure enables volume reduction through mechanical closure rather than extensive surgery, reducing procedure complexity while achieving the same functional outcome of improved gas exchange
2Reliability
If traditional emphysema treatments are used, then disease progression is slowed, but lung damage cannot be reversed and respiratory function remains compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of attempting to repair or regenerate damaged lung tissue, the device inverts the approach by selectively removing functionally compromised airways through controlled occlusion. This inversion of the traditional repair mindset enables reversal of lung volume and improvement of respiratory function by eliminating the source of inefficiency rather than attempting to restore damaged tissue
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the physical state of the airway from patentable (open) to closed (occluded) through deployable arms that transition between expanded and closed configurations. This parameter change in airway patency enables volume reduction and functional improvement without requiring tissue regeneration, thereby controlling disease progression while enhancing respiratory productivity
3Volume of stationary object
If multiple actuatable members are deployed to occlude airways, then lung volume reduction is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges multiple actuatable members into a single integrated structure where multiple arms share common actuation mechanisms and mounting arrangements. This combining approach enables simultaneous occlusion of multiple airway segments to achieve lung volume reduction while minimizing the increase in device complexity through shared components and coordinated operation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
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AI summary
A system comprising an introducer sheath (30) including a retention member (32) configured to anchor the introducer sheath in a natural body lumen (28) having a wall. The system also has an elongate member (40) extending along a longitudinal axis through a working channel of the introducer sheath and a manipulating portion (42) coupled to a distal end of the elongate member. The manipulating portion include at least one selectively actuatable member (46) configured to transition between an undeployed configuration and a deployed configuration. In the undeployed configuration, the at least one actuatable member extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and in at least one position in the deployed configuration, the at least one actuatable member extends radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis. In the deployed configuration, the manipulating portion and elongate member are configured to be proximally retracted toward the working channel of the introducer sheath so as to move a distal portion of the wall towards a proximal portion of the wall.