Occlusion Catheter Ventilation Testing for Collateral Airflow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for quantifying collateral ventilation in lung compartments are time-consuming and prone to compromised results due to factors like patient sedation management and catheter seal maintenance, necessitating a more efficient and reliable diagnostic technique.

Innovation Solution

A minimally invasive catheter-based system that isolates lung segments using an occluding member, allowing ventilation-assisted diagnosis through sensors to measure exhaled volume over a predetermined period, determining collateral ventilation presence and degree based on exhaled volume thresholds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional catheter-based diagnostic systems are used to measure collateral ventilation, then measurement precision can be achieved, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and complex requiring prolonged sedation and precise catheter management

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollateral ventilation measurement accuracyVSAvoidassessment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The lung is divided into separate compartments using occluding members (balloons) that isolate specific lung segments. This segmentation allows independent measurement of each compartment's ventilation characteristics, enabling precise collateral ventilation assessment while reducing overall procedure complexity and time by focusing on one segment at a time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A diagnostic catheter with integrated occluding members and sensors serves as an intermediary device that combines isolation and measurement functions. This single integrated tool eliminates the need for separate catheter management steps, reducing procedural time while maintaining measurement precision through built-in pressure and volume sensing capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If traditional catheter-based diagnostic systems are used to measure collateral ventilation, then measurement precision can be achieved, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase due to prolonged sedation and precise catheter management requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollateral ventilation measurement accuracyVSAvoidcatheter management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The occluding members and diagnostic sensors are merged into a single integrated catheter assembly. This combination allows the operator to perform both lung compartment isolation and ventilation measurement through one device, eliminating complex catheter manipulation steps and reducing operational difficulty while preserving measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses measurable parameter changes (pressure and volume variations) during controlled ventilation to indirectly assess collateral ventilation. By monitoring these physical parameters rather than requiring direct visual or manual assessment, the system simplifies operation while maintaining precise measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If traditional catheter-based diagnostic systems are used, then collateral ventilation can be measured, but the procedure requires prolonged sedation and compromises assessment accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassessment accuracyVSAvoidsedation duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The occluding members are pre-positioned and inflated to isolate lung compartments before initiating the measurement sequence. This preliminary isolation ensures that subsequent ventilation measurements are performed on stable, well-defined compartments, improving accuracy while reducing the need for prolonged sedation to maintain catheter position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary 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

Enables rapid and accurate assessment of collateral ventilation by detecting exhaled volume patterns, reducing assessment time and improving diagnostic reliability.

Implementation Method 1

isolates a lung compartment to obtain various measurements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier (occlusion): Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

assisted ventilation device, allowing for rapid determination of collateral ventilation by measuring exhaled volume

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentUS12629051B2Methods and systems for determining collateral ventilation

Publication Date: 2026.05.19 PULMONX CORP

AI summary

Methods and systems for determining collateral ventilation are disclosed. Methods may comprise introducing a diagnostic catheter into a lung compartment via an assisted ventilation device, inflating the occluding member to isolate the lung compartment, and performing a diagnostic procedure with the catheter while the patient is ventilated via the assisted ventilation device. The diagnostic procedure comprises determining an exhaled volume from the isolated lung compartment over a predetermined period of time while the patient is ventilated via the assisted ventilation device. The presence collateral ventilation may be determined based on the exhaled volume from the isolated lung compartment over the predetermined period of time.