Patent ID: 7854228

Claim:
A flow control device for a bronchial passageway, comprising: a valve member that regulates fluid flow through the flow control device; a seal member that forms a seal with the interior wall of the bronchial passageway when the flow control device is implanted in the bronchial passageway; an anchor member coupled to the seal member, wherein the anchor member exerts a radial force against the interior wall of the bronchial passageway when the flow control device is implanted in the bronchial passageway and retains the flow control device in the bronchial passageway; and a valve protector that at least partially surrounds the valve member, the valve protector having sufficient rigidity to maintain the shape of the valve member against compression, wherein the valve protector is manufactured of the same material as that of the anchor member and is integrally formed with the anchor member.