DEVICES FOR MAINTAINING SURGICALLY CREATED OPENINGS

摘要

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 collater al openings (or channels) surgically created through airway walls. This tends t o 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 wi th 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 tha t tissue ingrowth is prevented. The conduits may also include hold-down member s and bioactive coatings that serve to prevent ejection of the conduit as well as prevent narrowing of the passageway due to tissue ingrowth.