Broncus Technologies, Inc.

Joel D Cooper

Bryan E Loomas

Don Akira Tanaka

Gary S Kaplan

James M Davenport

Michael D Laufer

David P Thompson

Dave Haugaard

Glendon E French

Devices and methods for altering gaseous flow within a lung to improve the expiration cycle of an individual, particularly individuals having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The methods and devices create channels in lung tissue and maintain the patency of these surgically created channels in tissue. Maintaining the patency of the channels allows air to pass directly out of the lung tissue which facilitates the exchange of oxygen ultimately into the blood and/or decompresses hyper-inflated lungs.

Devices for maintaining patency of surgically created channels in tissue

The devices and methods of placement of such devices disclosed herein are directed to altering gaseous flow within a lung to improve the expiration cycle of, for instance, an individual having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. More particularly, these devices produce and maintain collateral openings or channels through the airway wall so that oxygen depleted/carbon dioxide rich air is able to pass directly out of the lung tissue to facilitate both the exchange of oxygen ultimately into the blood and/or to decompress hyper-inflated lungs. The medical kits disclosed herein are also directed to produce and maintain collateral openings through airway walls.

Devices and methods for maintaining collateral channels in tissue

The devices and methods disclosed herein are directed to altering gaseous flow within a lung to improve the expiration cycle of, for instance, an individual having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. More particularly, these devices and methods produce and to maintain collateral openings or channels through the airway wall so that expired air is able to pass directly out of the lung tissue to facilitate both the exchange of oxygen ultimately into the blood and/or to decompress hyper-inflated lungs. The devices and methods also disclose locating and selecting a site for creation of a collateral opening.

Methods and devices for creating collateral channels in the lungs

Growing community of inventors

St. Louis, MO, United States of America

Joel D Cooper