An example assembly for use with a vacuum system and an esophageal positioning device esophageal positioning device includes an introducer, in which the esophageal positioning device includes a first segment and a second segment. The second segment is pivotally connected to the first segment. A gap portion of an outer tube of the introducer is defined along a longitudinal axis between a tube tip of the introducer and the distal end of the second segment of the esophageal positioning device when the esophageal positioning device is disposed within the introducer. The gap portion defines one or more radial vacuum holes.

The volume of a hyperinflated lung compartment is reduced by sealing a distal end of the catheter in an airway feeding the lung compartment. Air passes out of the lung compartment through a passage in the catheter while the patient exhales. A one-way flow element associated with the catheter prevents air from re-entering the lung compartment as the patient inhales. Over time, the pressure of regions surrounding the lung compartment cause it to collapse as the volume of air diminishes. Residual volume reduction effectively results in functional lung volume expansion. Optionally, the lung compartment may be sealed in order to permanently prevent air from re-entering the lung compartment. The invention further discloses a catheter with a transparent occlusion element at its tip that enables examination of the lung passageway through a viewing scope.

An insertion device includes a stent and a plurality of sealing elements where each sealing element is operatively rotationally attached to the stent.

The volume of a hyperinflated lung compartment is reduced by sealing a distal end of the catheter in an airway feeding the lung compartment. Air passes out of the lung compartment through a passage in the catheter while the patient exhales. A one-way flow element associated with the catheter prevents air from re-entering the lung compartment as the patient inhales. Over time, the pressure of regions surrounding the lung compartment cause it to collapse as the volume of air diminishes. Residual volume reduction effectively results in functional lung volume expansion. Optionally, the lung compartment may be sealed in order to permanently prevent air from re-entering the lung compartment. The invention further discloses a catheter with a transparent occlusion element at its tip that enables examination of the lung passageway through a viewing scope.

A lung volume-reducing elastic implant (2) and a lung volume-reducing instrument; the lung volume-reducing elastic implant (2) is tubular and comprises a proximal implant end (201), an elastic deformation part (205) and a distal implant end (202); the elastic deformation part (205) is located between the proximal implant end (201) and the distal implant end (202), and the elastic deformation part (205) has a shape memory characteristic; the lung volume-reducing elastic implant (2) is opened at the proximal implant end (201); the elastic deformation part (205) is provided with a plurality of grooves (204) at intervals along the longitudinal direction thereof; each groove (204) communicates with the tube cavity of the elastic deformation part (205); the lung volume-reducing instrument comprises the lung volume-reducing elastic implant (2) and a delivery device (1) matching same; the delivery device (1) comprises a guidewire (101) and a hollow push piece (110); the lung volume-reducing elastic implant (2) is detachably connected to the distal end of the hollow push piece (110) via the proximal implant end (201); and the guidewire (101) passes through the tube cavity of the lung volume-reducing elastic implant (2) and the tube cavity of the hollow push piece (110). The lung volume-reducing instrument is more convenient for an operation and takes shorter time, and avoids damage to the inner wall of the bronchia, reducing the occurrence of pneumothorax.

An insertion device includes a stent and a plurality of sealing elements where each sealing element is operatively attached to the stent and an earclip retention system.

An implantable device for control over the size of emphysematous bullae in a lung, including: an elongated central region having a fixed axial length; a first end including a first anchor; and a second end including a second anchor.

A lung volume reduction elastic implant (500) and a lung volume reduction instrument are provided. The lung volume reduction elastic implant (500) has an elastic deformation part (51), and a flexible guide (53, 53a) connected to the distal end of the elastic deformation part (51). The flexible guide (53, 53a) is provided with a first flexible part (531). The first flexible part (531) has an insert part (5312) and a distal part (5311). The insert part (5312) is connected to the distal end of the elastic deformation part (51). The distal end of the distal part (5311) of the first flexible part (531) is the distal end of the lung volume reduction elastic implant (500). The first flexible part (531) is internally provided with a radiograph component (56). The lung volume reduction elastic implant (500) and the lung volume reduction instrument use the implant (500) to provide a sufficient bending force while maintaining better flexibility, reducing the risk of bronchus contusion when the implant (500) is bent after the implant (500) is implanted into a bronchial tube, and enhancing the safety of lung volume reduction surgery.

Devices, methods, and systems are provided for loading an implantable device into a container. One aspect of the loading system contains a loader element with a loading tunnel that is configured to gradually contract an implantable device into a compressed state of reduced size relative to an expanded state as the implantable device travels through the loading tunnel.

An example assembly for use with a vacuum system and an esophageal positioning device esophageal positioning device includes an introducer, in which the esophageal positioning device includes a first segment and a second segment. The second segment is pivotally connected to the first segment. A gap portion of an outer tube of the introducer is defined along a longitudinal axis between a tube tip of the introducer and the distal end of the second segment of the esophageal positioning device when the esophageal positioning device is disposed within the introducer. The gap portion defines one or more radial vacuum holes.