Pulmonary Airway Implant With Variable Lumen for COPD Hyperinflation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for hyperinflation and associated complications in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), such as bronchodilators, non-invasive ventilation, and endobronchial lung volume reduction, are inadequate in providing sustained, localized relief and often lead to complications like pneumothorax and mucus plugging.
Innovation Solution
A pulmonary implant device with a controllable lumen and optional one-way valve is placed in airways to create positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), preventing airway collapse and enhancing regional ventilation by gradually narrowing airflow resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If endobronchial lung volume reduction is performed, then hyperinflation is reduced, but complications like pneumothorax occur at high rates
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a compliant, collapsible lumen that dynamically adjusts its state between open and collapsed configurations in response to pressure differentials. This dynamic behavior allows the device to gradually reduce lung volume while adapting to changing physiological conditions, thereby reducing the risk of sudden complications like pneumothorax compared to static occlusion methods
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the physical state of the lumen from open to collapsed through pressure-driven parameter changes. By controlling the transition of the lumen between different states (open/collapsed, inflated/deflated), the device achieves progressive lung volume reduction with controlled risk parameters
2Volume of moving object
If one-way endobronchial valves are placed in airways, then trapped air can escape and hyperinflation is reduced, but the intervention is aggressive causing full collapse and necrosis
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of complete airway occlusion, the device applies partial action by allowing controlled airflow through the compliant lumen while still achieving volume reduction. The collapsible design provides intermediate states between fully open and fully closed, enabling gradual tissue adaptation and avoiding the aggressive full collapse and necrosis associated with complete occlusion
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from static valve occlusion to dynamic collapsible lumen that can adjust its opening degree. This dynamic capability allows the airway to remain partially patent during certain phases, preventing complete collapse and associated tissue necrosis while still achieving the therapeutic goal of volume reduction
3Productivity
If non-invasive ventilation is applied to the entirety of the respiratory system, then ventilation is increased, but it cannot be applied at a local and regional level to account for disease heterogeneity
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the respiratory system treatment by targeting specific airways and lung regions independently. The implantable design allows selective placement in affected airways, enabling localized volume reduction and ventilation improvement in heterogeneous disease patterns, unlike global non-invasive ventilation approaches
4Stress or pressure
If the lumen volume is reduced to increase airflow resistance, then positive pressure is created to prevent airway collapse, but the device must adapt to disease progression
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs dynamic adaptability where the compliant lumen automatically adjusts its resistance characteristics in response to changing pressure conditions and disease progression. The collapsible design allows the device to evolve from a high-resistance state to a collapsed state, providing sustained therapeutic effect as disease progresses without requiring intervention adjustments
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 reduces hyperinflation and associated complications by maintaining airway patency and improving ventilation/perfusion ratios, minimizing the risk of pneumothorax and mucus plugging, and adapting to disease progression.
Implementation Method 1
changing a volume of the lumen over time... create positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), preventing airway collapse
Implementation Method 2
an inner wall defining a lumen from a proximal end to a distal end of the device; and a one-way valve positioned within the lumen, the one-way valve configured to permit airflow in a first direction through the one-way valve and prevent airflow in a second direction
Data Source
AI summary
Certain embodiments provide a method for controlling airflow in a lung of a respiratory system of a patient. The method generally includes placing a device in an airway passage, wherein the device comprises: an outer wall and an inner wall defining a lumen from a proximal end to a distal end of the device and changing a volume of the lumen over time.