OCCLUSAL STENT AND METHODS FOR ITS USE

摘要

Improved methods, systems and devices for occluding body passageways, particularly lung passageways. Such occlusion is achieved with occlusal stents which are particularly suited for use in performing Endobronchial Volume Reduction (EVR) 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 present invention is likewise suitable for the treatment of bronchopleural fistula and potentially for other pulmonary diseases, such as hemoptysis and pneumothorax. The occlusal stents are delivered with the use of any suitable delivery system, particularly minimally invasive with instruments introduced through the mouth (endotracheally). A target lung tissue segment is isolated from other regions of the lung by deploying an occlusal stent into a target area of a lung passageway. A variety of different occlusal stent designs are provided to improve the performance and reliability of the delivered occlusal stent.