Introduction
Emphysema, a major phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), leads to destruction of lung tissue causing airway collapse, air trapping, and significant lung hyperinflation. Despite existing treatments, many patients with severe emphysema continue to experience high morbidity and mortality. Current interventions such as endobronchial valves, coils, and lung volume reduction surgery have limited availability, applicability, or durability, often dependent on emphysema heterogeneity and collateral ventilation. Persistent hyperinflation remains a critical therapeutic gap, as it directly contributes to debilitating dyspnea, decreased exercise capacity, impaired pulmonary function, and decreased quality of life.
Previous attempts to bypass expiratory airway collapse, including the Exhale Airway Stents for Emphysema (EASE) trial, demonstrated initial improvements but failed to sustain benefits due to stent occlusion and migration. A novel solution that offers durable airway patency and safely releases trapped air is urgently needed.
