

The entire procedure usually lasts around 30–60 minutes.Īt the end of the procedure, the specialist removes the bronchoscope and observes the individual during recovery. The number of valves that lung specialists use depends on the different lung areas that are blocked and contain trapped air, but it is usually around four. place the Zephyr Valves in the airways using the bronchoscope.insert a flexible tube with a tiny fiber-optic camera or a bronchoscope into the lungs from the nose or mouth.give the patient a sleeping medication to make the procedure comfortable and painless.During the procedureįor a Zephyr Valve procedure, a surgeon will: Then, the specialist performs lung function tests to determine whether the treatment is suitable for the individual. If a doctor considers a person a potential candidate for Zephyr Valves, they will issue a referral to a lung specialist. Zephyr Valve treatment is a one-time, in-patient procedure where a specialist inserts the valves into the airways during a bronchoscopy. This makes them an alternative treatment to more invasive options, such as lung transplants. Individuals receiving a Zephyr Valve will undergo a simple installation procedure that does not involve cuts or incisions. Moreover, this device also allows the healthy parts of the lungs to expand and grow, which helps people feel able to take part in exercise and other daily activities. This reduces pressure on the diaphragm and improves the individual’s breathing.

It reroutes airflow to the healthy parts of the lungs and allows trapped air and fluids to escape when a person breathes out. It works similarly to a train line system. This prevents new air from entering the lungs and causes shortness of breath.Ī Zephyr Valve can help block off the damaged parts of the lungs that contribute to hyperinflation. However, in severe cases of emphysema, individuals experience hyperinflation, as the air becomes trapped in the lungs. When a person breathes, air passes through the pharynx and larynx and into the lungs. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved their use in 2018. According to the COPD Foundation, Zephyr Valves are minimally-invasive devices that can benefit people with severe emphysema.
