SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF TREATING MALACIA BY LOCAL DELIVERY OF HYDROGEL TO AUGMENT TISSUE

摘要

Systems, devices, and methods for maintaining patency in a bronchus of a patient are presented. A catheter is positioned within the bronchus. A target region of one or more of a bronchial wall, submucosa, media, and adventitia is punctured with an injection needle disposed on a distal end of the catheter. Such puncturing is achieved by expanding a balloon disposed on the distal end of the catheter. The balloon may be comprised of at least two materials of different elastic modulus, which allows for a flexible but relatively non-distensible, unfolding component of the balloon as well as an elastomeric, inflatable component of the balloon. Through the injection needle, an amount of one or more crosslinking agents is delivered to the target region. The delivered amount is effective to provide structural support for the bronchial wall, substituting for the bronchial cartilage thereby treating bronchomalacia.

主权项

1. A method of maintaining patency in a trachea or a bronchus of a patient, the method comprising:
delivering an amount of a polymer precursor to tissue in the trachea or bronchus, wherein the polymer precursor at least partially solidifies in the tissue to provide support for the trachea or bronchus to maintain patency in the trachea or bronchus, and wherein delivering comprises injecting the amount of the polymer precursor into one or more of a wall, submucosa, lamina, media, or adventitia of the trachea or bronchus.