Physicians : Physician FAQs

Physician FAQs

What is the PneumRx RePneu™ Lung Volume Reduction Coil (LVRC)?
How does the RePneu LVRC work?
What patients are appropriate for the treatment with the RePneu LVRC Coil?
What does the RePneu LVRC procedure entail?
How long does the RePneu LVRC procedure take?
How long does it take to recover from a RePneu LVRC procedure?

What is the PneumRx RePneu Lung Volume Reduction Coil (LVRC)?

The PneumRx RePneu Lung Volume Reduction Coil is a resilient coil implant that is straightened and delivered into a target lung airway where it recovers to a curved shape that gathers and compresses damaged lung tissue. The coil is made of Nitinol, a memory shape metal that has a long history as an implant material. The coil is available in several lengths to treat target airways with the appropriate length implant. The proximal end is placed at the subsegmental bronchus with an appropriate length to be placed 20mm from the lung periphery. Placement is performed using a 2.8mm channel bronchoscope and fluoroscopic visualization.

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How does the RePneu LVRC work?

The RePneu LVRC is a simple mechanical method for minimally invasive lung volume reduction for the treatment of emphysema. RePneu Lung Volume Reduction Coils are placed in airways of primarily heterogeneous patients using a bronchoscope and the PneumRx Delivery System kit. With each implant placement, the coil recovers to a pre-formed shape that bends the airway and causes local compression of the parenchyma. This is best described as making small smooth folds in the lung to cause focal compression. By compressing the damaged region of the lung, the healthier portion is able to expand. Constricting the damaged portion with coils limits hyperinflation and compliance is shifted to minimize preferential filling in these damaged and treated areas. Treatment planning identifies target airways in the most damaged regions of the patient’s lung. Typically, 10 RePneu LVRC coils are placed in the most damaged lobe. Implants may be placed in more than one lobe to fully target severely damaged areas within the lung, and may be placed in both lungs. These treatments may be performed in more than one procedure.

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What patients are appropriate for the treatment with the RePneu LVRC Coil?

The RePneu LVRC System is intended to improve lung function in patients with upper and/or lower lobe heterogeneous emphysema and/or multiple emphysematous lobes with focal tissue defects. Because the LVRC reduces lung volume by a simple mechanical means, its effect should be independent of the presence or absence of collateral flow. Since collateral ventilation is common in patients with advanced emphysema, this attribute may make the RePneu LVRC suitable for a wider range of patients than could benefit from other available devices.

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What does the RePneu LVRC procedure entail?

The RePneu LVRC coils are delivered through a bronchoscope in a simple procedure, under conscious sedation or general anesthesia, using a proprietary Delivery System. The procedure does not require any surgical incision. Fluoroscopy is used to visualize and place a guidewire and delivery catheter beyond the bronchoscope where the coil will be placed. The coil is loaded and advanced to the end of the catheter using forceps that are included in the Delivery System kit. The catheter is retracted to deploy the coil. The coil can be recaptured into the catheter at any time during the deployment if this is desired. After the coil has been deployed, the coil is released from the forceps and the catheter is repositioned in the lung for the next coil deployment. A single Delivery System kit is used for the entire procedure. The coil can be removed or repositioned by reversing the implantation process.

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How long does the RePneu LVRC procedure take?

A typical RePneu LVRC procedure, in which 10 RePneu LVRC coils are implanted, takes between 20 and 40 minutes.

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How long does it take to recover from a RePneu LVRC procedure?

Patients are generally able to return home the next day.

The devices and products described in this website are CE Marked. The PneumRx RePneu LVRC is not approved for commercial sale in the United States, and may not be used for any purpose in the United States at this time.