InterVapor Thermal Vapor Treatment System

InterVapor represents a breakthrough in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management—the world’s first and only thermal vapor treatment system for emphysema. Unlike traditional lung volume reduction surgery or valve implants, InterVapor delivers heated water vapor through the bronchoscope to ablate diseased lung tissue, achieving volume reduction without permanent implants or external incisions.

Product Overview

Severe emphysema progressively destroys lung tissue, trapping air and reducing respiratory capacity. While lung volume reduction surgery offers benefits for selected patients, its invasiveness limits adoption. InterVapor addresses this gap by enabling bronchoscopic thermal vapor ablation (BTVA), a minimally invasive procedure that destroys hyperinflated lung segments and allows remaining healthy tissue to expand.

The system received FDA Breakthrough Device designation in 2019, recognizing its potential to address an unmet medical need. NMPA approval in March 2022 marked the beginning of commercial deployment in China, with subsequent approvals in Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Indonesia expanding the addressable market.

Key Features

InterVapor’s targeted thermal vapor ablation reduces hyperinflated lung segments in severe emphysema without permanent implants, repeatable across multiple sessions in a 30–60 minute bronchoscopic procedure.

• Non-Implant Approach: Achieves lung volume reduction without permanent devices, valves, or coils remaining in the airways
• Targeted Ablation: Delivers precise thermal vapor doses to specific lung segments based on quantitative CT analysis
• Repeatable Treatment: Patients can receive treatment in multiple lung segments over separate sessions, allowing staged volume reduction
• Bronchoscopic Delivery: Entire procedure performed through flexible bronchoscope under moderate sedation
• Predictable Response: Inflammatory response peaks at 2-3 months post-procedure, with functional improvements typically sustained

Technical Specifications

At under 60 minutes per procedure, InterVapor delivers CT-planned heated water vapor via single-use bronchoscopic catheter under moderate sedation with typical 1–2 day hospital stay.

Clinical Applications

InterVapor is indicated for patients with severe heterogeneous emphysema who remain symptomatic despite optimal medical management. The treatment targets hyperinflated upper lobe segments where quantitative CT analysis demonstrates predominant emphysema distribution.

Patient Selection Criteria

• FEV1 between 20-45% predicted
• Residual volume >175% predicted
• Heterogeneous emphysema distribution
• Six-minute walk distance >140 meters
• Non-smoking for at least 6 months

Clinical Outcomes Clinical studies demonstrate improvements in forced expiratory volume (FEV1), lung function, exercise capacity, and quality of life measures. The treatment effect develops over 2-3 months as the inflammatory response progresses, with benefits typically sustained beyond 12 months.

Regulatory Status

As of 2023, InterVapor has achieved commercial deployment in over 40 hospitals across 21 provinces in China, with provincial pricing established in more than 20 regions through the government’s sunshine pricing platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does InterVapor differ from endobronchial valves?

Endobronchial valves are permanent implants that block airflow to target segments, requiring intact fissures between lung lobes for effectiveness. InterVapor ablates tissue directly without leaving implants, works regardless of collateral ventilation, and allows treatment of both upper lobes in staged sessions.

What is the recovery timeline after InterVapor treatment?

Patients typically experience increased cough and sputum production during the first 2-3 months as the inflammatory response progresses. Peak improvement in lung function and symptoms generally occurs between 3-6 months post-procedure, with benefits sustained beyond one year in clinical studies.

Is InterVapor approved in the United States?

InterVapor received FDA Breakthrough Device designation in 2019, which provides expedited review pathways. The product is currently in the U.S. regulatory approval process with clinical trials ongoing.