| abstract |
Disclosed here are devices (200) altering gaseous flow within a lung (118) to improve the expiration cycle of an individual, particularly individuals having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). More particularly, devices (200) are disclosed to produce collateral openings and channels (116) through the airway wall (106) so that expired air is able to pass directly out of the lung tissue to facilitate both the exchange of oxygen ultimately into the blood and/or to decompress hyper-inflated lungs. |