CONDUITS HAVING DISTAL CAGE STRUCTURE FOR MAINTAINING COLLATERAL CHANNELS IN TISSUE AND RELATED METHODS

摘要

Devices and related methods are directed to altering gaseous flow within a lung to improve the expiration cycle of, for instance, an individual having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. More particularly, conduits maintain collateral openings or channels through the airway wall so that air is able to pass directly out of the lung tissue to facilitate both the exchange of oxygen ultimately into the blood and/or to decompress hyper-inflated lungs. The conduits include a center section with a passageway extending through the center section. The conduits further include a distal cage structure which has a passageway and at least one opening in fluid communication with the center section passageway. The medical kits disclosed herein are also directed to maintain collateral openings through airway walls.