Patent ID: 8551035

Claim:
A disposable and minimally invasive lung reduction device that allows air trapped in a lung to exit the lung other than through a natural airway of a patient, comprising: a first section including a conduit that is adapted to extend into and communicate with parenchymal tissue of the lung through an artificial air channel, wherein the artificial air channel enters the parenchymal tissue of the lung through an airtight seal of parietal and visceral pleurae of the lung; and a second section that is mounted on the chest wall external to the lung connecting to the conduit of the first section, the second section being larger than the first section such that when the second section mounted on the chest wall of a patient, the conduit of the first section extends into the parenchymal tissue of the lung and is held in that position, wherein the first section includes biocompatible materials that accelerate tissue healing and maintain the artificial air channel; and wherein air trapped in the lung can be expelled to the external environment of the lung through the artificial air channel.