Patents Assigned to Pulmonx Corporation
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Publication number: 20110017207Abstract: Disclosed is a flow control device for a bronchial passageway. The device can includes a valve member that regulates fluid flow through the flow control device, a frame coupled to the valve member, and a membrane attached to the frame. At least a portion of the flow control device forms a seal with the interior wall of the bronchial passageway when the flow control device is implanted in the bronchial passageway. The membrane forms a fluid pathway from the seal into the valve member to direct fluid flowing through the bronchial passageway into the valve member.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2010Publication date: January 27, 2011Applicant: Pulmonx CorporationInventors: Michael Hendricksen, Peter Wilson, Ronald Hundertmark, Antony J. Fields
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Publication number: 20110010910Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly for loading a bronchial flow control device into a container, such as into a delivery catheter. The assembly includes a funnel housing and a puller housing that mate with one another. The funnel housing defines a funnel-shaped loading cavity that receives a flow control device and that gradually reduces in size moving in a first direction. The puller housing is removably attached to the funnel housing and is also removably attachable to a bronchial flow control device that can be positioned in the loading cavity. The puller housing pulls the bronchial flow control device in the first direction through the funnel housing to gradually contract the bronchial flow control device into a compressed state of reduced size relative to the expanded size.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2010Publication date: January 20, 2011Applicant: Pulmonx CorporationInventors: Michael J. Hendricksen, Michael Barrett
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Patent number: 7854228Abstract: Methods and systems for lung volume reduction of a patient are described. The methods include implanting a flow control device in a bronchial passageway of the lung. The flow control device regulates fluid flow through the bronchial passageway and includes a valve protector that at least partially surrounds a valve member. The valve protector has sufficient rigidity to maintain the shape of the valve member against compression.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2005Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Pulmonx CorporationInventors: Peter M. Wilson, Antony J. Fields, Hanson S. Gifford, III, John G. McCutcheon, Michael J. Hendricksen, Alan R. Rapacki, David R. Tholfsen, Michael S. Barrett, Ronald Hundertmark, Douglas Sutton
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Publication number: 20100280538Abstract: Lung volume reduction is performed in a minimally invasive manner by isolating a lung tissue segment, optionally reducing gas flow obstructions within the segment, and aspirating the segment to cause the segment to at least partially collapse. Further optionally, external pressure may be applied on the segment to assist in complete collapse. Reduction of gas flow obstructions may be achieved in a variety of ways, including over inflation of the lung, introduction of mucolytic or dilation agents, application of vibrational energy, induction of absorption atelectasis, or the like. Optionally, diagnostic procedures on the isolated lung segment may be performed, typically using the same isolation/access catheter.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2010Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: Pulmonx CorporationInventors: Rodney C. Perkins, Peter P. Soltesz, Robert Kotmel, Anthony D. Wondka
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Patent number: 7814912Abstract: Disclosed is a sizing device for sizing an inside diameter of a lung passageway. The device includes an elongate shaft configured for positioning in the lung passageway and a sizing element at the distal end of the shaft. The sizing element defines a range of transverse dimensions that correspond to a range of transverse dimensions suitable for use with a predetermined set of bronchial isolation devices. The device is used to determine the suitability of a bronchial isolation device for use in the lung passageway prior to using a separate delivery catheter to deliver the bronchial isolation device into the lung passageway.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2005Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Pulmonx CorporationInventors: Robert M. George, Ronald R. Hundertmark, Michael Hendricksen
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Patent number: 7798147Abstract: Disclosed is a flow control device for a bronchial passageway. The device can includes a valve member that regulates fluid flow through the flow control device, a frame coupled to the valve member, and a membrane attached to the frame. At least a portion of the flow control device forms a seal with the interior wall of the bronchial passageway when the flow control device is implanted in the bronchial passageway. The membrane forms a fluid pathway from the seal into the valve member to direct fluid flowing through the bronchial passageway into the valve member.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2003Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Pulmonx CorporationInventors: Michael Hendricksen, Peter Wilsor, Ronald Hundertmark, Antony J. Fields
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Patent number: 7771472Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly for loading a bronchial flow control device into a container, such as into a delivery catheter. The assembly includes a funnel housing and a puller housing that mate with one another. The funnel housing defines a funnel-shaped loading cavity that receives a flow control device and that gradually reduces in size moving in a first direction. The puller housing is removably attached to the funnel housing and is also removably attachable to a bronchial flow control device that can be positioned in the loading cavity. The puller housing pulls the bronchial flow control device in the first direction through the funnel housing to gradually contract the bronchial flow control device into a compressed state of reduced size relative to the expanded state.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2005Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Pulmonx CorporationInventors: Michael J. Hendricksen, Michael Barrett
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Patent number: 7766895Abstract: Lung volume reduction is performed in a minimally invasive manner by isolating a lung tissue segment, optionally reducing gas flow obstructions within the segment, and aspirating the segment to cause the segment to at least partially collapse. Further optionally, external pressure may be applied on the segment to assist in complete collapse. Reduction of gas flow obstructions may be achieved in a variety of ways, including over inflation of the lung, introduction of mucolytic or dilation agents, application of vibrational energy, induction of absorption atelectasis, or the like. Optionally, diagnostic procedures on the isolated lung segment may be performed, typically using the same isolation/access catheter.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2005Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Pulmonx CorporationInventors: Peter P. Soltesz, Anthony D. Wondka, Rodney A. Perkins, Robert Kotmel
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Publication number: 20100175693Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are provided for performing lung volume reduction in patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other conditions where isolation of a lung segment or reduction of lung volume is desired. The methods are minimally invasive with instruments being introduced through the mouth (endotracheally) and rely on isolating the target lung tissue segment from other regions of the lung and occluding various lung passageways with the use of occlusal stents. The occlusal stents are delivered with the use of an occlusal stent delivery system which is loaded with the occlusal stent with the use of an occlusal stent loading system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2010Publication date: July 15, 2010Applicant: Pulmonx CorporationInventors: Anthony Wondka, Peter P. Soltesz, Robert Kotmel, Nadia Matov, Thomas Crowder
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Patent number: 7717115Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for deploying a bronchial isolation device in a bronchial passageway in a lung of a patient. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an outer shaft having a distal end. A housing is coupled to the distal end of the outer shaft and configured to receive the bronchial device. An inner shaft is slidably disposed within the outer shaft. A handle is adapted to move the outer shaft relative to both the inner shaft and the handle while the inner shaft remains fixed relative to the handle so as to eject the bronchial isolation device from the housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2003Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Pulmonx CorporationInventors: Michael Barrett, David Tholfsen, Michael Hendricksen, Ronald Hundertmark, John McCutcheon, Antony J. Fields, Jeffery J. Dolin, Robert M. George
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Publication number: 20100114157Abstract: An obturator for a bronchial tube or tubule of a human or animal lung comprises a blocking element (92) and a securing element (90). The blocking element serves to seal the tube or tubule against the passage of fluid past the obturator when the obturator is disposed in a bronchial tube or tubule. The securing element serves to retain the blocking element in position. The blocking element comprises a substantially cylindrical plug of biocompatible, resiliently deformable closed-cell foamed plastics material, such as PVC. The securing element comprises a stent having barbs (98) to engage and retain the blocking element. The stent also has anchors (100) to retain the stent in a bronchial tube or tubule. A method of treatment of emphysema or other lung conditions or diseases in human or animal patients comprises placing an obturator in a bronchial tube or tubule of the patient so as to seal the tube or tubule against the passage of fluid past the obturator.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2010Publication date: May 6, 2010Applicant: Pulmonx CorporationInventors: Sabaratnam Sabanathan, Thirumani Sabanathan
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Patent number: 7670373Abstract: An obturator for a bronchial tube or tubule of a human or animal lung comprises a blocking element (92) and a securing element (90). The blocking element serves to seal the tube or tubule against the passage of fluid past the obturator when the obturator is disposed in a bronchial tube or tubule. The securing element serves to retain the blocking element in position. The blocking element comprises a substantially cylindrical plug of biocompatible, resiliently deformable closed-cell foamed plastics material, such as PVC. The securing element comprises a stent having barbs (98) to engage and retain the blocking element. The stent also has anchors (100) to retain the stent in a bronchial tube or tubule. A method of treatment of emphysema or other lung conditions or diseases in human or animal patients comprises placing an obturator in a bronchial tube or tubule of the patient so as to seal the tube or tubule against the passage of fluid past the obturator.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 1998Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Pulmonx CorporationInventors: Sabaratnam Sabanathan, Thirumani Sabanathan, legal representative
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Publication number: 20100042089Abstract: Medical methods and systems are provided for effecting lung volume reduction by selectively ablating segments of lung tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2009Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: Pulmonx CorporationInventors: Peter P. Soltesz, Nikolai Aljuri, Ajit Nair
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Patent number: 7662181Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for performing pulmonary procedures, and in particular treating lung disease. A flow control element includes a valve that prevents airflow in the inhalation direction but permits airflow in the exhalation direction. The flow control element is guided to and positioned at the site by a bronchoscope that is introduced into the patient's trachea and used to view the lungs during delivery of the flow control element. The valve may include one, two or more valve elements, and it may be collapsible for easier delivery. A source of vacuum or suction may be used to increase the amount of fluid withdrawn from the lung tissue. A device for measuring hollow structures, such as bronchioles, and a device for removing a previously-placed flow control element are disclosed as well.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2006Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: Pulmonx CorporationInventors: Mark E. Deem, Hanson S. Gifford, III, Ronald French, Douglas S. Sutton
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Patent number: 7628789Abstract: Medical methods and systems are provided for effecting lung volume reduction by selectively ablating segments of lung tissue.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2006Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: Pulmonx CorporationInventors: Peter P. Soltesz, Nikolai Aljuri, Ajit Nair