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A new lung valve has been made available in the US that can help patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder fight their symptoms.
The Intra-Bronchial Airway Valve works by redirecting air from unhealthy to healthy areas of the lungs, making it easier to breathe.
A flexible tube with a camera attached is used to implement the device, which is shaped like an umbrella, inside the airways.
The procedure offers a more realistic alternative to lung surgery, which can take weeks to recover from, as the downtime is just a day.
Dr Kyle Hogarth, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Chicago, said: "I definitely feel like we've helped some people have much better lives."
COPD affects four million people in the US and is the third-leading cause of death, while it kills up to 25,000 individuals in the UK every year.
The new valve can last for up to 14 years and can be easily replaced if patients experience any irritation.
Posted by James Worrall
03/03/2014 10:07:56