US 11,738,175 B2
Method and apparatus for computer-vision guided targeted delivery of small liquid volumes into selected lung regions
Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic, New York, NY (US); Jinho Kim, Jersey City, NJ (US); John O'Neill, New York, NY (US); and Matthew Bacchetta, Tenafly, NJ (US)
Assigned to The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, New York, NY (US)
Filed by The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, New York, NY (US)
Filed on Aug. 21, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/546,620.
Application 16/546,620 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2018/018649, filed on Feb. 19, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/512,441, filed on May 30, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/462,011, filed on Feb. 22, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2020/0046943 A1, Feb. 13, 2020
Int. Cl. A61M 25/01 (2006.01); A61M 25/09 (2006.01); A61B 34/20 (2016.01); A61B 34/10 (2016.01)
CPC A61M 25/0147 (2013.01) [A61B 34/10 (2016.02); A61B 34/20 (2016.02); A61M 25/0905 (2013.01); A61B 2034/105 (2016.02); A61M 2025/0161 (2013.01); A61M 2025/0166 (2013.01); A61M 2025/091 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for targeted delivery of a liquid microvolume containing therapeutics into a lung, comprising
positioning a steerable catheter device into a pulmonary airway of a lung, wherein the steerable catheter device comprises a distal section with a distal tip and an inner lumen;
steering the distal section of the steerable catheter device to position the distal tip proximal to a desired locus within the pulmonary airway,
instilling a liquid microvolume from the inner lumen of the steerable catheter device to an inner surface of the pulmonary airway;
forming a plug of the liquid across a diameter of the pulmonary airway; and transporting the plug distally through the airway with air pressure delivered from the inner lumen of the elongated tubular member, thereby depositing a film comprising a portion of the liquid microvolume behind the plug.