Patent ID: 8257381

Claim:
An air passageway obstructing device comprising: frame means for forming a support structure, the support structure having a distal end and a proximal end; flexible membrane means for obstructing air flow within the air passageway, the flexible membrane means having an open proximal end and a closed distal end, the flexible membrane means carried by the support structure; and anchoring means to anchor the air passageway obstructing device, the anchoring means carried by the support structure, the frame means being expandable to an expanded state within an air passageway to support the membrane means and the anchoring means, the anchoring means having at least one tissue engagement means the at least one tissue engagement means configured to pierce the tissue surrounding the obstructing device to a fixed depth, the at least one tissue engagement means positioned distal to the distal end of the support structure, the anchoring means being releasable for removal of the device from the air passageway; wherein the at least one anchoring means includes a resilient material for imparting a force against the air passageway to deform the air passageway to more positively anchor the obstructing means.