1. A method for selecting one or more treatment sites in a diseased lung, the method comprising:
introducing an assessment catheter into an airway leading to a first assessment site in the lung;
expanding an occluding member on the catheter to form a seal with an inner wall of the airway and thus isolate the first assessment site;
measuring at least one physiological, anatomical or biological characteristic of the first assessment site using the catheter;
calculating a score for the first assessment site based on the measured characteristic and a predetermined algorithm;
repeating the steps for at least a second assessment site in the lung; and
selecting at least one treatment site based on the scores of the assessment sites.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising repeating the steps for at least a third assessment site.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least the calculating step is performed by a console coupled with a proximal end of the catheter, and wherein the scores are displayed on the console.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the physiological characteristic is collateral ventilation.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the collateral ventilation is assessed to treat an air leak.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the biological characteristic is nitric oxide.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the anatomical characteristic is an air leak.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the algorithm is based on a determined number of diseased regions in the lung, the at least one physiological, anatomical or biological characteristic of each site, and proximity of each assessment site to at least one of the diseased regions.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising treating the treatment site.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising introducing an assessment catheter into the lung to confirm efficacy of treatment.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein treating comprises implanting a one-way flow control element into an airway leading to a portion of the lung afflicted by emphysema.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the flow control element is selected from the group consisting of a plug, a one-way valve and a two way valve.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the flow control element is provided with a drug depot configured to provide sustained release of a drug.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the drug depot is configured to release at least one of: steroids and anticholinergics.
15. The method of claim 9, wherein treating comprises performing endoscopic lung volume reduction.
16. The method of claim 9, wherein treating comprises introducing a drug into the treatment site through a treatment catheter.
17. The method of claim 9, wherein treating comprises performing bronchial thermoplasty.
18. The method of claim 9, wherein treating comprises installation of a chest tube.
19. A method for assessing the effectiveness of a treatment, the method comprising:
identifying an airway that has been occluded with a one-way valve, wherein the one-way valve is configured to allow expiration but limit inhalation;
introducing a catheter into the identified airway, the catheter comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen therebetween, wherein the distal end comprises an expandable occluding element configured to sealingly engage the airway, wherein the proximal end comprises an inflation port to expand the occluding element, and wherein the lumen is in-line with at least one sensor for measuring a respiratory characteristic; and
measuring flow through the airway to determine whether flow exists during inhalation, wherein the presence of flow indicates ineffective valve placement.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising measuring pressure during inhalation, wherein the presence of pressure indicates ineffective valve placement.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A multi-function tool case comprising:
a housing body having a wall extending from a first end to a second end, the wall having an exterior surface and an interior surface with a cavity defined by the interior surface and extending from the first end toward the second end;
an extension member extending from the exterior surface adjacent the second end and defining a socket oriented along a tool axis for receiving a first portion of an accessory for retaining a tool bit; and
a cover assembly coupled to the first end, the cover assembly including a cap portion and a first lid member rotatably coupled to the cap portion, the cap portion and the first lid member configured to at least partially enclose the cavity.
2. The multi-function tool case of claim 1, wherein the cover assembly further includes a cover extension portion defining an aperture oriented along the tool axis, the aperture configured to receive a second portion of the accessory.
3. The multi-function tool case of claim 2, wherein the first lid member encloses the aperture when in a closed position.
4. The multi-function tool case of claim 1, wherein the accessory is positioned such that it can be withdrawn from the socket along the tool axis.
5. The multi-function tool case of claim 1, wherein the accessory is positioned such that it can be withdrawn from the socket at a non-parallel angle to the tool axis.
6. The multi-function tool case of claim 1, wherein the socket has a hexagonal cross-sectional profile.
7. The multi-function tool case of claim 1, further comprising a second lid member pivotally coupled to the cap portion to provide selective access to the cavity.
8. The multi-function tool case of claim 7, wherein the second lid member is coupled to the cap portion via a live hinge.
9. The multi-function tool case of claim 1, wherein the wall includes a side wall portion having a cover engagement aperture.
10. The multi-function tool case of claim 9, wherein the cap portion further includes a connecting arm defining a tab member for detachably engaging the engagement aperture.
11. The multi-function tool case of claim 1, wherein the first lid member is coupled to the cap portion via a live hinge.
12. A multi-function tool case comprising:
a housing body having a wall extending from a first end to a second end, the wall having an exterior surface and an interior surface with a cavity defined by the interior surface and extending from the first end toward the second end, the housing body further defining a socket oriented along a tool axis; and
a cover assembly detachably coupled to the first end, the cover assembly including a cap portion, a cover extension portion, and a first lid member rotatably coupled to the cap portion, the cap portion at least partially enclosing the cavity, the cover extension portion defining an aperture oriented along the tool axis, the aperture and socket configured to receive tool bit holder, and wherein the lid member selectively encloses the aperture.
13. The multi-function tool case of claim 12, wherein the socket has a round cross-sectional profile.
14. The multi-function tool case of claim 12, wherein the socket has a hexagonal cross-sectional profile.
15. The multi-function tool case of claim 12, wherein the first lid member selectively, substantially covers the aperture.
16. The multi-function tool case of claim 12, wherein the first lid member is coupled to the cap portion via a live hinge.
17. The multi-function tool case of claim 12, further comprising a second lid member pivotally coupled to the cap portion to provide selective access to the cavity.
18. The multi-function tool case of claim 12, wherein the wall includes a first side wall portion having a first cover engagement aperture and a second side wall portion having a second cover engagement aperture.
19. The multi-function tool case of claim 18, wherein the cap portion further includes a first connecting arm and a second connecting arm, each of the first connecting arm and the second connecting arm defining a tab member for detachably engaging the respective engagement aperture.
20. The multi-function tool case of claim 12, wherein the first lid member is configured to pivot to an open orientation to provide access to the cavity and to release the tool bit holder.