Pulmonary Disease: Testing techniques to remove airflow between lung compartments

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) makes breathing difficult. This can often be improved by implanting a valve (called the Zephyr Valve) into the most diseased part of the lung to improve breathing. Currently, the Zephyr Valve can only be inserted into the lung when there are no open air channels between the compartments where the valve is situated. This means that patients who do have open air channels, cannot currently have this valve inserted to improve breathing.

This study is testing the use of the AeriSeal System to close these channels (we call it “fissure closure”) during a bronchoscopy procedure to see if it is an effective technique to close the air channels between the lungs and remove the air flow between the lung compartments. If the closure of the fissure is successful, your study doctor can then perform the Zephyr Valve Procedure to treat COPD symptoms. This Study is, then, combining both procedures (the AeriSeal System and the Zephyr Valve) to improve breathing function.