Patent ID: 7798147

Claim:
A flow control device for a bronchial passageway, comprising: a valve member that regulates fluid flow through the flow control device, the valve having a default shape; a frame coupled to the valve member, the frame including: a valve protector region that at least partially surrounds the valve member to maintain the default shape, wherein the valve protector region comprises a plurality of struts; and a retainer region connected to the valve protector region, the retainer region being formed of a plurality of interconnected struts configured to engage an interior wall of the bronchial passageway to retain the flow control device in a fixed location therein, the retainer region being movable from a contracted state suitable for introduction into the bronchial passageway to an expanded state suitable for engaging the interior wall of the bronchial passageway; and a membrane covering at least a portion of the retainer region, wherein at least a portion of the flow control device forms a seal with the interior wall of the bronchial passageway when the flow control device is implanted in the bronchial passageway, and wherein the membrane provides a fluid pathway from the seal to the valve member to direct fluid flowing through the bronchial passageway into the valve member.