Abstract: A pneumostoma management system includes a pneumostoma management device for maintaining the patency of a pneumostoma and a drug delivery device for pneumostoma care. The drug delivery device may be used to introduce therapeutic agents into the pneumostoma for direct treatment of the pneumostoma, treatment of the lung by way of collateral ventilation, and/or treatment of non-lung tissues by diffusion into the bloodstream. The drug delivery device includes a therapeutic agent dispenser for supplying a therapeutic agent and a propellant at positive pressure, an outlet and a connector for correctly positioning the outlet relative to a pneumostoma management device. The drug delivery device includes a self-centering and self-sealing connector for engaging the pneumostoma management device.

Abstract: A variable parietal/visceral pleural coupling may be utilized to create an air-tight seal in the pleural space between the parietal and visceral pleura. This coupling may be utilized to create a seal for other implantable devices.

Abstract: Devices and methods are directed to improving the gaseous exchange in a lung of an individual having, for instance, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. More particularly, conduits may be deployed in the lung to maintain collateral openings (or channels) surgically created through airway walls. This tends to facilitate both the exchange of oxygen ultimately into the blood and decompress hyper-inflated lungs. The conduit includes a radially expandable center section having a first end, a second end, and a passageway extending from the first end to the second end. A control segment may be associated with the conduit to limit the degree of radial expansion. The conduit further includes a plurality of deflectable members extending from the ends of the center section. A tissue barrier may coaxially surround the conduit such that tissue ingrowth is prevented.

Abstract: A tube of a medical device is inserted into the lung of a patient through a passage, sealed from the pleural cavity, which passes through the chest wall, parietal membrane and visceral membrane into the lung. A flange of the medical device is secured to the chest of the patient. Thus secured, a proximal opening of the tube is positioned within the lung of the patient and an external opening is positioned external to the patient, permitting gasses within the lung of the patient to escape through the chest wall by entering the distal opening, passing through the tube and venting to atmosphere through the proximal opening.

Abstract: A pneumostoma management system includes a pneumostoma management device for maintaining the patency of a pneumostoma and a drug delivery device for pneumostoma care. The drug delivery device may be used to introduce therapeutic agents into the pneumostoma for direct treatment of the pneumostoma, treatment of the lung by way of collateral ventilation, and/or treatment of non-lung tissues by diffusion into the bloodstream. The drug delivery device includes a therapeutic agent dispenser for supplying a therapeutic agent and a propellant at positive pressure, an outlet and a connector for correctly positioning the outlet relative to a pneumostoma management device. The drug delivery device includes a self-centering and self-sealing connector for engaging the pneumostoma management device.

Abstract: The invention provides a ventilation bypass system for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a lung of a patient. The patient is provided with a surgically-created passage which passes through the thoracic wall, the parietal membrane and the visceral membrane into the lung. The parietal and visceral membranes are sealed surrounding the passage. The system includes a conduit which passes through the passage into the lung. At the distal end of the conduit there is an aperture for admitting gasses from the lung. At the proximal end of the conduit is a flange for securing the conduit to the chest of the patient and a gas venting device for venting gasses external to the patient. The gas venting device can include a filter, valve and/or trap.

Abstract: A pneumostoma assessment and treatment system includes methods and devices for aftercare of a pneumostoma and for additional patient care utilizing a pneumostoma. The system utilizes a number of modalities to assess the health and functionality of the pneumostoma, the lungs and/or the patient as a whole. In response to an assessment of the health and functionality of the pneumostoma, lungs and patient, the tissues of pneumostoma may be treated with a treatment device and utilizing one or more different modalities to preserve or enhance the health and function of the pneumostoma and/or treat other conditions of the patient. Particular treatment modalities may be utilized to reduce tissue growth in and around the pneumostoma in order to prevent stenosis and maintain patency of the pneumostoma.

Abstract: A lung reduction device is provided for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by utilizing the phenomenon of collateral ventilation to increase the expiratory flow from a diseased lung. The device is adapted to penetrate the outer pleura of the lung to access the most collaterally ventilated area of a lung to remove trapped air. A conduit of the lung reduction device is positioned within the parenchyma of the lung while the housing of the lung reduction device is secured to the patient's body external to the lung. The housing includes means for allowing air from the lung of the patient to vent to an area external of the lung and may include suitable means for allowing one-way airflow such as a check valve, a reed valve, needle valve, or any other suitable device.

Abstract: A partially-implantable pneumostoma management device maintains the patency of a pneumostoma while controlling the flow of material through the pneumostoma. A tube of the pneumostoma management device is placed through the chest wall into the lung. The tube comprises a plurality of holes in the distal end to allow the entry of gases and non-gaseous discharge from the lung. A contact surface prevents over-insertion of the tube while releasably securing the device to the chest of the patient. The contact surface has features to reduce irritation of the skin of the chest. The pneumostoma management device may provide a pharmaceutically active substance selected to maintain the patency of the pneumostoma.

Abstract: A visceral pleura ring connector that may be utilized to anchor and seal the visceral pleura to a conduit or other device entering the lung from a non-native airway. The visceral pleura ring connector may be positioned around the visceral pleura and an insertion device and seal them together without having to make any holes in the pleura. The visceral pleura ring connector may be utilized with a pulmonary pleural stabilizer to hold the visceral pleura of the lung during surgical procedures involving accessing the lung or lungs of a patient directly through the lung and not the native airways.

Abstract: A method for treating a pneumostoma by applying suction to the pneumostoma in order to remove solid or liquid discharge. A pneumostoma aspirator including a bulb or syringe is used to apply negative pressure to a tube which enters the pneumostoma. The pneumostoma aspirator may be used in conjunction with a pneumostoma management device. Alternatively, the pneumostoma aspirator may be used after the pneumostoma management device has been removed. The pneumostoma aspirator may also be used to introduce irrigation fluid into the pneumostoma and/or remove irrigation fluid and discharge from the pneumostoma.

Abstract: A partially-implantable pneumostoma management device maintains the patency of a pneumostoma while controlling the flow of material through the pneumostoma. A tube of the pneumostoma management device is placed through the chest wall into the lung. The tube comprises a plurality of holes in the distal end to allow the entry of gases and non-gaseous discharge from the lung. A contact surface prevents over-insertion of the tube while releasably securing the device to the chest of the patient. The contact surface has features to reduce irritation of the skin of the chest.

Abstract: A lung-volume-reduction device for treating a lung to relieve symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and/or emphysema. The device includes a chest-mounted housing and a conduit which projects from the housing through an aperture in the chest of the patient into the lung. The other end of the conduit is connected to flow-control device which may include a valve such as a one-way valve, check valve or pressure-actuated valve. The flow-control device is positioned within the chest-mounted housing. The lung-volume-reduction device permits gasses to pass through the conduit and flow-control device and vent to atmosphere external of the patient.

Abstract: A pneumostoma assessment and treatment system includes methods and devices for aftercare of a pneumostoma. In particular, methods and devices are provided for standardized monitoring and assessment of pneumostoma patency thereby facilitating the establishment of standards-based protocols for pneumostoma management. Methods of standardized pneumostoma patency assessment includes the use of devices for raising alveolar pressure to a controlled repeatable pressure above ambient while analyzing gas flow through the pneumostoma. In response to an assessment the functionality of the pneumostoma, the tissues of the pneumostoma may be treated with a treatment device utilizing one or more different modalities to preserve or enhance the health and function of the pneumostoma.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and devices for creating a localized pleurodesis between the thoracic wall and the lung such that a ventilation bypass conduit may be introduced into the lung through the thoracic wall and visceral membrane without causing a pneumothorax. A medical device such as a catheter is used to enter the pleural cavity and deliver a pleurodesis agent to a localized area between the visceral and parietal membranes.

Abstract: A collateral ventilation bypass system with chest tube evacuation device may be utilized in combination to removed trapped air from the lungs. With the chest tube evacuation device, any air trapped in the pleural space may be evacuated through the bypass system to prevent a pneumothorax.

Abstract: A ventilation bypass system which alleviates symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by allowing air to exit the lung of a patient through the thoracic wall bypassing the natural airways. A pleurodesis is formed between the visceral and parietal membranes surrounding a lung and an opening is made through the thoracic wall into the lung via the pleurodesis. The ventilation bypass system includes a conduit placed through the opening in the thoracic wall into the lung, a flange for securing the conduit to the thoracic wall and preventing over-insertion of the conduit, and a flow control device for controlling flow of material out of the lung.

Abstract: A system to alleviate a symptom of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a lung of a patient by providing a ventilation bypass pathway which allows air to exit the lung via the bronchus or trachea. The system includes a conduit connected by an airway connection device to an artificial opening through a wall of a region of a trachea and a bronchus external to the lung. The other end of the conduit is connected by a lung connection device to an artificial opening through a visceral membrane of the lung. An access fitting is connected to the conduit between the first end of the conduit and the second end of the conduit and allows intermittent access to the lumen from outside the patient.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and techniques are provided for creating a pneumostoma through the chest wall into the lung of a patient. The pneumostomy instruments and techniques may be used to create a pneumostoma which allows gases to escape from the lung through the chest wall and thereby treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Abstract: A system to alleviate a symptom of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a lung of a patient by providing a ventilation bypass pathway which allows air to exit the lung via the bronchus or trachea. The system includes a conduit connected by an airway connection device to an artificial opening through a wall of a region of a trachea or bronchus external to the lung. The other end of the conduit is connected by a lung connection device to an opening through a visceral membrane of the lung. A flow-control device such as a filter or valve is connected to the conduit to allow exhalation via the conduit but control flow from the airway to the lung. The conduit creates a direct fluid communication between the lung of the patient and the airway of the patient which permits air to exit the lung and enter the airway via the conduit.