Methods and apparatuses (e.g., systems, devices, etc.) for delivering a nebulized drug agent in the nasal passages concurrent with the lungs.

Methods, systems, and devices for accessing tissue outside a bronchus and marking the location of a biopsy are provided. The method includes loading a navigation plan into a navigation system with the navigation plan including a CT volume generated from a plurality of CT images, inserting an extended working channel (EWC) including a location sensor into a patient's airways, registering a sensed location of the EWC with the CT volume of the navigation plan, and selecting a target in the navigation plan located outside the periphery of a patient's airways. The method further includes navigating the EWC and location sensor proximate the target, inserting a piercing catheter into the EWC, piercing through an airway wall to reach the target, storing a position of the location sensor in the navigation system as a biopsy location, and performing a biopsy at the stored biopsy location.

A system and method for performing a bronchoscopy. The system may include a bronchoscope, a multi-fluid conduit apparatus, and a switching apparatus. The bronchoscope may include an insertion tube having a distal end, a control section, and a working channel. The multi-fluid conduit apparatus may include a first conduit section operably coupled to a vacuum source, a second conduit section operably coupled to an oxygen source, and a third conduit section operably coupled to the working channel, each of the first and second conduit sections being fluidly coupled to the third conduit section. The switching apparatus may include a valve apparatus operably coupled to each of the first and second conduit sections and an actuator apparatus operably coupled to the valve apparatus. The actuator apparatus may alter the valve apparatus between: (1) a suction supply state; and (2) an oxygen supply state.

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.

Disclosed are methods and devices for regulating fluid flow to and from a region of a patient's lung, such as to achieve a desired fluid flow dynamic to a lung region during respiration and/or to induce collapse in one or more lung regions. Pursuant to an exemplary procedure, an identified region of the lung is targeted for treatment. The targeted lung region is then bronchially isolated to regulate airflow into and/or out of the targeted lung region through one or more bronchial passageways that feed air to the targeted lung region. An exemplary flow control device is configured to block fluid flow in the inspiratory direction and the expiratory direction at normal breathing pressures and allow fluid flow in the expiratory direction at higher than normal breathing pressures.

A suction catheter assembly structured to be movably positioned within a lumen of the body including an elongated base having a channel extending interiorly along the length thereof and further structured to connect the channel to a source of negative pressure. A tip is fixedly or removably connected to a distal end of said base and includes an inlet port and a flow path disposed in fluid communication with the channel. A viewing structure is connected to and movable with the base and is oriented relative thereto to define a line of sight providing observation of a path of travel of said base within the body lumen or medical tubing and is disposed laterally outward from at least a majority of a length of said flow path and the inlet port in substantially aligned, parallel relation to a central axis of said channel.

A medication delivery device for treatment of a pulmonary disorder in a patient includes an elongate member, an expandable member is coupled to a distal end of the elongate member, and an agent delivery portion coupled to an external surface of the expandable member. The agent delivery portion includes an agent that disrupts nerve activity.

Methods and systems are provided for aerosolization of individual building blocks of medical microrobots and subsequent in situ assembly into microrobots capable of medical intervention deep within lung tissues of a subject. The methods and systems of the disclosure may allow for microrobot-based therapy of pulmonary diseases that have previously been difficult to effectively treat using conventional therapeutic approaches.

Disclosed are methods and devices for regulating fluid flow to and from a region of a patient's lung, such as to achieve a desired fluid flow dynamic to a lung region during respiration and/or to induce collapse in one or more lung regions. Pursuant to an exemplary procedure, an identified region of the lung is targeted for treatment. The targeted lung region is then bronchially isolated to regulate airflow into and/or out of the targeted lung region through one or more bronchial passageways that feed air to the targeted lung region. An exemplary flow control device is configured to block fluid flow in the inspiratory direction and the expiratory direction at normal breathing pressures and allow fluid flow in the expiratory direction at higher than normal breathing pressures.

Systems and methods are provided for aerosolizing and delivering therapeutic substances in an electronic aerosol delivery device with airflow regulation. Calibrated airflow resistance settings enable adjustment and control of flow velocity and or flow volume of air, aerosolized air, and or entrained aerosol particles, through the device, for optimal aerosol delivery among diverse conditions and applications.