| abstract |
Devices and methods are directed to improving the gaseous exchange in a lung (118) of an individual having, for instance, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. More particularly, conduits (200) may be deployed in the lung to maintain collateral openings or channels (112) surgically created through airway (100) walls. This tends to facilitate both the exchange of oxygen ultimately into the blood and decompress hyper-inflated lungs. The conduit (112) 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 with 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 that tissue ingrowth is prevented. |