MEASURING LUNG FUNCTION AND LUNG DISEASE PROGRESSION AT A LOBAR/SEGMENTAL LEVEL

摘要

A method for determining lung function in a patient is disclosed, in which a multi-lumen catheter with an expandable occluding element at its end is used to isolate a targeted lung compartment, and respiratory characteristics at the targeted lung compartment are measured over multiple respiratory cycles. The relation between various characteristics of the respiratory cycle is used to determine compliance of lung tissue within the targeted lung compartment.

主权项

1. A method for determining elasticity of a portion of a lung in a patient, the method comprising:
introducing a catheter into an airway leading to a targeted lung compartment, the catheter comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen therebetween, wherein the distal end comprises an expandable occluding element which is configured to sealingly engage the airway, wherein the proximal end comprises an inflation port to expand the occluding element, and wherein the lumen is in-line with at least one sensor for measuring pressure in the targeted lung compartment; expanding an occluding member disposed on or near a distal end of the catheter to form a seal with an inner wall of the airway to thus isolate the targeted lung compartment; allowing the patient to exhale such that air exhaled from the targeted lung compartment is allowed to pass through a lumen of the catheter; measuring pressure in the targeted lung compartment during exhalation using a pressure sensor coupled with the lumen of the catheter; and determining elasticity of the airway based on the measured pressure.