SUMMARY
Bronchoscopy has been used in the past to visualize the endobronchial lumen and to direct diagnosis, treatment, or medication. Unfortunately, most bronchoscopy systems are very operator-dependent and lack the necessary guidance and targeting needed for specific localization. In recent years navigation systems are used to direct the bronchoscope and lately the use of robotic bronchoscopy for more accurate targeting. However, these units are expensive and not widely available. Researchers at the Department of Radiology at UCLA have developed endobronchial catheters designed for the human lung. These catheters are aimed to be easy to operate and accurate in localizing lobar and segmental airways and allow for directing more specific sub-catheters to distal airways.
BACKGROUND
The endoluminal approach for targeting tissue is gaining more acceptance within the medical community. Recently attempts have been made to perform ablations using endobronchial systems and bronchoscopy, mostly operated by interventional pulmonologists or surgeons. However these systems lack specific localization, are expensive, and are not widely available. Catheters within the lung can be used for multiple purposes including, advancing needles for biopsy, antennas for microwave, probes for cryo procedures, or for drug delivery. The human lung has a predictable 1st and 2nd generation bronchial branching pattern, and this invention allows for these catheters to be placed within these airways and help navigate sub-catheters in the airways towards the target tissue.
INNOVATION
Fereidoun Abtin and Dieter Enzmann at UCLA have devised a method to use endobronchial catheters within the human lung. The catheters are designed to be placed within each major segmental branch of the bronchus. Once in the segment, these catheters lodge and anchor at the origin, and help the smaller sub catheters be driven to a distal selected airway using a guidewire and smaller catheters. A confirmation software will be used to track the target and allow for the catheter to advance into the location. The software will use CT and Fluro guidance. These catheters are developed to accommodate the delivery of ablation probes or antennae for the treatment of lung tumors or delivery of forceps and needles for tissue sampling. These catheters can also be used for the application of glues or endobronchial coils/valves. The catheters can also be used for endobronchial lavage and drug delivery.
APPLICATIONS
ADVANTAGES
STATE OF DEVELOPMENT
The present invention has been described by the inventors and the 3D model and concept of the catheters have been designed.