Patent ID: 7811274
Filing Date: 2010-10-12
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A method for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a lung of a person, the person having a thoracic wall, a parietal membrane, a visceral membrane and a passage which passes through the thoracic wall, the parietal membrane and the visceral membrane into the lung, the parietal membrane being sealed to the visceral membrane surrounding the passage, wherein the method comprises: (a) obtaining a ventilation bypass device having a conduit, a flange and a flow-control device, the conduit having an aperture at a distal end to admit gasses from the lung, the flow-control device being connected to a proximal end of the conduit to vent gasses from the conduit, and the flange extending from the conduit spaced from the distal end of the conduit; (b) positioning the distal end of the conduit through the passage into the lung of the person; (c) securing the flange to the thoracic wall of the person; and (d) permitting gasses within the lung of the person to escape through the thoracic wall of the person by entering the aperture, passing through the conduit, and venting through the flow-control device external to the thoracic wall of the person.