This therapy may be an alternative to major surgery for patients with emphysema - a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Patients with emphysema can not breathe deeply, while the coils are designed to improve the elastic properties of the lungs, preventing airway collapse and allowing patients to breathe more fully.

In the study, 315 patients either received standard therapy for lung disease or have been treated with the new method using the coils. The data showed that the innovative method helped improve lung function over 12 months, while patients receiving standard care, had no improvement.