although the detailed description contains many specifics , these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but merely as illustrating different examples and aspects of the invention . it should be appreciated that the scope of the invention includes other embodiments not discussed in detail . various other modifications , changes and variations which will be apparent to those skilled in the art may be made in the arrangement , operation and details of the method and apparatus of the present invention disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described here . the present invention deals with methods systems and devices for preventing secretions from impeding the function of a pulmonary assessment catheter , hereinafter referred to simply as a catheter . the various catheter embodiments described herein may be used singularly or in combination . in one aspect , secretions can be prevented from impeding the function of the catheter by preventing the secretions from entering the catheter lumen . additionally or alternatively , secretions build - up in the airway could be prevented or inhibited . additionally or alternatively , secretions that collect within the airway could be removed . additionally or alternatively , the secretions could be repelled away from the distal tip of the catheter . fig1 a shows an exemplary embodiment providing an expandable element that attracts the secretions away from the distal opening of a catheter 100 and precludes secretion entry into the catheter 100 during transport to the assessment site . catheter 100 optionally comprises an expandable occluding member near its distal end , for example an inflatable balloon 101 . a mesh 110 capable of forming a basket - like configuration is attached at a point proximal to the distal tip of the catheter 100 , and distal to the balloon 101 . the mesh 110 is composed of a biocompatible shape - memory material , for example nitinol . optionally , the mesh 110 may comprise a coating , for example , silicone , at least on some portion thereof . in its initial configuration , the mesh 110 forms a cover for the distal opening of the catheter 100 . the cover remains closed , as shown in fig1 a , while the catheter 100 is being transported to the assessment site . secretions will thus be precluded from entering the lumen of the catheter 100 during such transportation . the proximal end of the mesh 110 is coupled to an elongate component 111 , for example a wire or an obturator , configured to manipulate the mesh 110 . prior to deployment of the mesh 110 , the elongate component 111 constrains the mesh 110 and prevents the mesh from expanding to its shape memory configuration . at the assessment site , the mesh 110 will be deployed by retracting the elongate component 111 and thereby releasing the mesh 110 from constraint to expand to its shape memory . upon deployment , the mesh 110 obtains the configuration shown in cross section in fig1 b . in this configuration , the secretions would be caught within the outer diameter of the mesh 110 , and would thus be diverted away from the distal tip of the lumen . further , due to the surface tension of the secretions , the secretions would tend to pool within the mesh 110 , and thus , secretion entry into the lumen would be delayed or eliminated . simultaneously , the open configuration of the mesh 110 keeps the lumen of catheter 100 centered within the lung passageway , rather than leaning towards a wall within the lung passageway . alternatively or additionally , the mesh basket can be contained within the lumen of catheter 100 , as shown in fig1 c . in this embodiment , the catheter 100 comprises a mesh 120 in a collapsed configuration within the distal tip of the catheter 100 until the catheter 100 is moved to the assessment site . catheter 100 optionally also comprises a balloon 101 . the mesh 120 is composed of a biocompatible shape - memory material , for example nitinol . optionally , the mesh 110 may comprise an air - impermeable coating , for example , silicone , at least on some portion thereof . the proximal end of the mesh 120 is coupled to an elongate component 121 , for example a wire or an obturator , configured to manipulate the mesh 120 . the elongate component 121 maybe contained within the lumen wall of catheter 100 ( as shown in fig1 c ), or it may be contained anywhere within or on the catheter 100 . prior to assessment , the mesh 120 is deployed . the mesh 120 forms a ball - like structure of sufficient porosity to allow for air flow through the mesh 120 . simultaneously , the secretions would tend to adhere to the outer diameter of the mesh 120 , and thus , secretion entry into the lumen of catheter 100 would be delayed or eliminated . alternatively , the mesh forms a funnel - like structure 130 that allows air to be directed into the catheter lumen as shown in fig1 d . in this embodiment , catheter 100 comprises a mesh 130 in a collapsed configuration within the distal tip of the catheter 100 until the catheter 100 is moved to the assessment site . the mesh 130 is composed of a biocompatible shape - memory material , for example nitinol . optionally , the mesh 130 may comprise an air - impermeable coating 132 , for example , silicone , at least on some portion thereof . the proximal end of the mesh 130 is coupled to an elongate component 131 , for example a wire or an obturator , configured to manipulate the mesh 130 . the elongate component 131 maybe contained within the lumen of catheter 100 ( as shown in fig1 c ), or it may be contained anywhere within or on the catheter 100 . prior to assessment , the mesh 130 is deployed to assume its shape memory of a funnel - like structure whose base is open to and engaged with the opening of catheter 100 . in this embodiment , the mesh 130 acts to simultaneously preclude secretion entry into the catheter lumen while directing air within the passageway into the lumen of catheter 100 . the secretions would tend to adhere to the outer diameter of the mesh 130 , and thus , secretion entry into the lumen of catheter 100 would be delayed or eliminated . simultaneously , when deployed , mesh 130 with coating 132 acts to seal the passageway and center the catheter 100 within the passageway such that the only outlet for air is through the funnel - like structure into the catheter lumen . thus , in this embodiment , the mesh 130 may replace the balloon 101 shown in previous embodiments . fig2 a shows an inflatable element 130 that could collect the secretions away from the opening of catheter 100 . in one embodiment , the inflatable element 130 is located distal to the balloon 101 on the catheter 100 . during transport , the distal tip of the inflatable element 130 is in an un - inflated state and covers the opening of the catheter 100 as shown in cross section in fig2 a . when inflated , the inflatable element 130 opens to reveal the catheter 100 lumen as shown in cross section in fig2 b . simultaneously , when the inflatable element 130 is inflated open , secretions that have thus far accumulated are pushed outwards and away from the lumen of catheter 100 . additionally , the inflatable element 130 keeps the distal tip of the catheter 100 centered within the lung passageway . additionally or alternatively , the inflatable element 130 sealingly engages the lung passageway walls to perform the function of the balloon 101 . fig3 shows an alternative embodiment to that shown in fig2 . this embodiment , shown in cross section , contemplates a collapsible rigid element 140 , that is manipulated through elongate components such as a wire 141 contained within or on the catheter 100 . the present figure shows the wire 141 contained within the wall of catheter 100 . the wire 141 can be pulled back and forth by the user to open and close the rigid element 140 . in this configuration , secretions will again pool along or behind the element 140 , rather than into the lumen of catheter 100 . fig4 a shows , in cross section , another exemplary embodiment providing an element that attracts the secretions away from the distal opening of the catheter 100 , and precluding secretion entry into the catheter 100 during transport to the assessment site . in this embodiment , the distal tip 200 comprises several strands 210 arranged to protrude radially from the distal tip 200 . the distal tip 200 thus looks similar to a brush with several bristles . the strands 210 are composed of any suitable biocompatible material . the configuration of the strands 210 allows for air to flow into the lumen of catheter 100 during the assessment . simultaneously , the secretions adhere to the strands 210 and away from the opening of the catheter 100 . optionally , the distal tip 200 of the catheter 100 also comprises several small apertures 211 . the apertures 211 in the distal tip 200 of the catheter 100 facilitate air flow into the catheter 100 . optionally , the distal tip 200 could be manipulated within the passageway , for example in a backwards and forwards motion , to clean the area of assessment . optionally , the strands 210 at the distal end may or may not be of a uniform length , and the strands 210 may form different cross sectional embodiments . additionally , the distal section of the catheter 100 maybe detachably coupled or permanently affixed to the distal tip 200 of the catheter 100 . additionally or alternatively , the strands 210 are connected to an elongate component contained within the catheter 100 , for example a wire or obturator 212 as shown in fig4 b . it is transported as such to the assessment site . at the assessment site , the component 212 with the strands is deployed out of the catheter lumen and into the lung passageway . in one aspect , the component 212 with the strands may be held stationary at a point distal to the end of the catheter 100 , to deflect the secretions . in another aspect , the component 212 with the strands may be moved along the lung passageway to clean the lung passageway and thereafter be held stationary at a point distal to the catheter 100 , or be retracted through the lumen of catheter 100 . additionally , the strands 210 at the distal end may or may not be of a uniform length , and they may form different cross sectional embodiments . fig5 a and 5 b show an alternative embodiment for attracting secretions to a point distal to the catheter opening . in this embodiment , tines 220 protrude longitudinally from the distal end of the catheter 100 . the tines 220 could be made of any biocompatible material including nitinol , ptfe or silicone . during transport of catheter 100 to the assessment site , the tines 220 are held closed , for example using a ring 221 connected to a wire 222 contained within or on the catheter 100 as shown in fig5 a . at the assessment site , the tines 220 are opened , for example , by pulling on the wire 222 to retract the ring 221 , as shown in fig5 b . the tines 220 keep secretions from entering the inner lumen of the catheter 100 , by repelling the secretions if hydrophobic , or by preferentially attracting the secretions if hydrophilic . in another embodiment of the present invention , a cover could be provided to prevent the secretions from entering the lumen of catheter 100 , as shown in fig6 a through 6 d . the catheter 100 comprises a cover over the distal opening . additionally , the catheter 100 comprises a wire 311 running the length of the lumen of catheter 100 , from the proximal end accessible by a user , to a cover at the distal end . the wire 311 maybe soft or rigid . it may be contained within the lumen wall of catheter 100 , or it may be contained anywhere within or on the catheter 100 . the cover remains over the distal opening of the catheter 100 during the catheter &# 39 ; s movement to the assessment site . prior to or during assessment , the cover is opened or closed by manipulating the wire . for example , fig6 a shows a catheter 100 comprising a flap cover 310 , wherein one end of said cover is manipulatable by the wire 311 . in a closed position , the flap cover assumes the configuration as shown in position ( 1 ). when the wire 311 is pulled , the flap cover 310 is opened , as shown in position ( 2 ) to allow air to flow into the catheter 100 for assessment . another example is provided in fig6 b which shows a catheter 100 comprising a soft cover 320 that can be pushed forward or retracted by a wire 321 . the soft cover 320 can be made of any flexible material , such as a plastic film , that will provide little or no suction when it is withdrawn through the lumen of catheter 100 . during transport of the catheter 100 , the soft cover 320 covers the distal opening of the catheter 100 , thereby preventing or inhibiting secretion entry into the catheter 100 . prior to or contemporaneous with assessment , the soft cover 320 is manipulated via the wire 321 , and the distal opening of the catheter 100 is open to receive air flow for assessment . alternatively , the cover may encapsulate the distal opening of the catheter 100 , as shown in fig6 c . in this embodiment , the encapsulating cover 330 may encase the opening of the catheter 100 . the encapsulating cover 330 is attached to the wire 331 and can be pushed out into the lung passageway for the assessment procedure . in another embodiment , the cover may be a balloon 340 within the lumen of the catheter 100 as shown in fig6 d . the balloon 340 is attached to an elongate component , such as a wire 341 , of a small enough diameter to not act as a syringe when being pulled out . when inflated , the balloon 340 prevents secretion entry into the lumen of catheter 100 . during assessment , it may be deflated and pulled back with the wire 341 to leave an open catheter lumen . fig7 shows a cover for the distal tip of the catheter 100 that is incrementally removable . the distal tip of the catheter 100 comprises a layered cover 340 with removable layers 345 made of a biocompatible material . the distal tip of the catheter 100 may or may not be perforated . the layers 345 are incrementally removable through one or more attachments , such as a wire 341 contained within the layers that extends the length of the catheter 100 to the user . additionally , the biocompatible material may or may not be hydrophilic . in one embodiment , the distal tip of the catheter 100 may be transported to the assessment site , where the layers 345 are removed . in another embodiment , the layers 345 maybe removed incrementally during the assessment process . for example , in the embodiment with apertures in the catheter 100 , if secretions were to impede the air flow into the catheter 100 , several of the layers 345 could be removed to expose another set of apertures in the catheter 100 . fig8 contemplates methods for enhancing assessment even when the distal opening of the catheter 100 is not centered within the lung passageway , for example , through distension of the inflatable balloon 101 . in this embodiment , the catheter 100 comprises apertures 410 within the catheter wall at the distal end . the apertures 410 maybe of any size or shape and maybe organized in any pattern while maintaining catheter 100 integrity . for example , the apertures 410 are elongate to allow the catheter 100 to maintain structural rigidity . the apertures 410 are scattered throughout the circumference of the catheter 100 , so that even if some of the openings of the catheter 100 are plugged with secretions , other openings will remain clear . additionally , even if one portion of the catheter 100 leans against the lung passageway wall , the opposite portion will have some of the apertures 410 exposed to the gases contained within the lung passageway . thus , the assessment function of the catheter 100 will not be impaired . fig9 shows another embodiment to attract the secretions to a site distal from the catheter 100 tip . in this embodiment , an elongate coil 510 is deployed from the distal tip of the catheter 100 . the elongate coil 510 can be made of any biocompatible shape memory material , for example , nitinol . while transporting catheter 100 to the assessment site , the elongate coil 510 is contained within the lumen wall of catheter 100 in a straight - line configuration , such as a wire 511 . the wire 511 is then pushed out of the distal opening and coils to assume the configuration of the elongate coil 510 within the lung passageway . alternatively , the elongate coil 510 could be contained in a compressed , but coiled state within the lumen wall of the catheter 100 while transporting to the assessment site . the elongate coil 510 could then be deployed into the lung passageway , where it would expand into the lumen wall . the secretions along the wall passageways would adhere to the points of the elongate coil 510 in contact with the lung passageway wall rather than to the catheter 100 . simultaneously , the inner diameter of the elongate coil 510 is open and allows enough air to flow into the assessment catheter 100 . in another embodiment , the elongate coil 510 would cover a portion of the distal end of the catheter 100 . fig1 shows another embodiment to attract the secretions to a site distal from the catheter 100 tip . in this embodiment , a flat coil 520 is deployed from the distal tip of the catheter 100 . the coil can be made of any biocompatible memory - shape material , for example , nitinol . during catheter transport to the assessment site , the coil is contained within the lumen wall of catheter 100 in a straight - line configuration such as a wire 521 . the wire 521 is then pushed out of the distal surface and assumes an elongate coil 510 within the lung passageway . alternatively , the flat coil 520 could be contained in a compressed , but coiled state within the lumen wall of the catheter 100 while transporting to the assessment site . the flat coil 520 is then deployed into the lung passageway , where it would expand to the diameter of the lung passageway . the secretions along the lung passageway walls would adhere to the points of the flat coil 520 in contact with the lung passageway wall . simultaneously , the inner diameter of the flat coil 520 would allow for enough air flow into the assessment catheter 100 , thereby allowing for enough air to flow into the assessment catheter 100 . fig1 shows an alternative method of preferentially attracting the secretions to a site away from the inner lumen of the catheter 100 . the distal tip of the catheter 100 comprises an addition , for example , a coating or a pad or a paper cone , of an absorbent material 610 . the absorbent material 610 can comprise any biocompatible , absorbent material , and may or may not be expandable . the coating of absorbent material 610 may end proximal to the distal end of the lumen during assessment . secretions at the assessment site will thus be absorbed by the absorbent material . as some secretions are absorbed by the absorbent material 610 , it cohesively attracts more secretions . thus , secretions that thereafter reach the assessment site will be attracted to the absorbent material , 610 rather than to the wall of catheter 100 . fig1 shows an alternative method of repelling the secretions by modifying the distal tip of the catheter 100 . traditionally , catheters are coated with pebax , which adheres to secretions . the present embodiment contemplates coating the distal tip with a hydrophobic substance 910 , for example ptfe , to divert secretions away from the lumen of catheter 100 . fig1 contemplates a method for cleaning the inner lumen of the catheter 100 once secretions have actually entered the catheter 100 . in this embodiment , the inner lumen of the catheter 100 comprises an elongate inner component , such as a wire 710 , extending from the proximal end to the distal end , terminating at the distal end in a radial element 711 . the radial element 711 , shown in cross section in fig1 , has an outer diameter that is substantially similar to or slightly less than the inner diameter of the catheter 100 . if secretions enters the inner lumen of the catheter 100 , the radial element 711 is moved in a distal direction and past an amount of secretions that is to be removed , and subsequently back in a proximal direction , thereby moving the secretions contained within the lumen in a proximal direction , and optionally removing the secretions from the proximal end of the catheter 100 . alternatively , the radial element 711 is moved in a distal direction to push secretions contained within the lumen in a distal direction . another embodiment of the present invention contemplates alternative obturators . in this embodiment , the obturator has a different shape to simultaneously keep enough secretions out while at the same time exerting little or no negative pressure at the distal end of the catheter , thereby allowing the obturator to retract without drawing secretions . for example , the cross section of the obturator could be flower shaped , star shaped or cross shaped . additionally or alternatively , the obturator could be hollow . a hollow obturator may additionally be used as an aspiration port to aspirate the lung passageway during transport , assessment , or any combination thereof . additionally or alternatively , the obturator is configured to act like an archimedes screw . whenever the distal opening of the catheter 100 encounters secretions , the screw - shaped obturator will channel the secretions through the catheter 100 and away from the site of the assessment . in another embodiment of the present invention , one or more elements could be stored within or on the distal tip of the catheter to dry or otherwise preclude secretion build - up within the catheter . for example , a heating element may be used to dry the airway . alternatively , medications that minimize mucus formation (. e . g ., a mucolytic drug ) may be coated on the catheter tip . the drug can diffuse slowly out of the coating into the surrounding tissue and provide extended release of a drug that can prevent or minimize mucus formation or breakdown the mucus that is secreted by the local tissue . in another embodiment of the present invention , at least one extra lumen and corresponding port may be provided to aspirate the passageways , flush the passageways , aerate the passageways , introduce a mucolytic drug into the passageways or any combination thereof . alternatively , aspiration could occur via the existing lumens and ports . this is facilitated via a modified proximal portion of the catheter that is configured to introduce a fluid , ( e . g ., air ) into the catheter . the introduced fluid would emerge from the distal end of the catheter with sufficient force to dry ( if air or another gas is used ) or push secretions that accumulate near or around the catheter mouth . an example of such a modified proximal portion is shown in fig1 . in this embodiment , the proximal portion of the device is configured to receive a fluid - propelling mechanism 800 . the fluid - propelling mechanism , such as a syringe , comprises a propellant portion 810 at the proximal end of the device , and a release valve 830 at the distal end of the device , and a pressurizer 820 therebetween . the propellant portion 810 further comprises an intake port 801 , a chamber 802 and a plunger 803 . a fluid is introduced into intake port 801 and is drawn into the chamber 802 in a syringe - like manner by pulling on plunger 803 . intake port 801 is configured to be one - way or closable to preclude fluid from exiting intake port 801 from chamber 802 . thereafter , the plunger 803 is pushed into chamber 802 to direct fluid into the pressurizer 820 . the fluid is precluded from exiting the distal end of mechanism 800 by release valve 830 , which remains in a closed position in a default state . simultaneously , the fluid is held under pressure in the pressurizer 820 . when secretions are to be removed , release valve 830 is opened . the fluid , which has been accumulated under pressure in the pressurizer 820 , will exit the mechanism 800 and enter the catheter 100 ( not shown ). the fluid will have sufficient force that upon exiting the distal end of catheter 100 ( not shown ), it will dry or move secretions accumulating around the catheter end . in another embodiment , a catheter 100 is configured to maintain structural rigidity during transport without the use of an obturator . in another embodiment , the tip of catheter 100 is configured to be angular to enhance air flow into the catheter lumen . in another embodiment , the balloon 101 is inflated with a fluid , such as saline , to provide added stability . this will aid the catheter 100 to be centrally maintained within the lung passageway . alternatively , the balloon 101 is manufactured to be structurally symmetrical when inflated . any or all of the above embodiments may be combined or replaced with medication prior to the assessment procedure . while the above is a complete description of the preferred embodiments of the invention , various alternatives , modifications , and equivalents may be used . therefore , the above description should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims .
devices systems and methods are disclosed for preventing or inhibiting secretions from entering the lumen of a functional assessment catheter for the lungs , or removing collected secretions . the catheter comprises an expandable element , a cover , or an internal component configured to prevent or inhibit secretion flow into the lumen . the catheter alternatively or additionally comprises a distal end configured to facilitate air flow , absorb secretions or repel secretions away from the catheter tip . the catheter alternatively or additionally comprises an internal element such as a coilable wire , or an obturator configured to prevent secretions from being drawn into the lumen , or to actively remove the secretions . the catheter alternatively or additionally comprises an element to dry , aerate or aspirate the lung passageways .