Method for treating a lung

• US 10,058,370 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2015
• Issued: 08/28/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Danek, Christopher J., Loomas, Bryan E., Keast, Thomas M.
• Primary Examiner(s): FARAH, AHMED M
• Application Number:
  US14/694,397
• Publication Number:
  US 20150305794A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,223 Days
• Field of Search: 607 96, 607104, 607105, 128898
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/02 by cooling, e.g. cryogenic techniques devices for cooling specific reflex points of the body within cell-life limits A61H39/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/04 by heating by applying electromagnetic radiation A61B18/18; hyperthermia using electric or magnetic fields, radiation or ultrasound A61N
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/08 by means of electrically-heated probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0022 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00267 having a basket shaped structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00434 Neural system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00541 Lung or bronchi
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00654 with individual control of each of a plurality of energy emitting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00666 using a threshold value
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00678 upper
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00761 Duration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00797 measured by multiple temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00803 with temperature prediction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0212 using an instrument inserted into a body lumen, e.g. catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3614 : using optical fibre
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0018 : Trunk or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0059 : with an open fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/126 : for invasive application, e.g. for introducing into blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/123 : using a flexible balloon containing the thermal element
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0096 : being laterally outward extensions or tools, e.g. hooks or fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1039 : Lungs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0043 : characterised by structural features
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 29/00 : Dilators with or without means for introducing media, e.g. remedies instruments for performing visual medical inspections of cavities or tubes of the body A61B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 29/02 : Dilators made of swellable material balloon catheters for angioplasty A61M25/104
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/06 : for high-frequency therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/403 : for thermotherapy, e.g. hyperthermia
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/00 : Radiation therapy ultrasound therapy A61N7/00; devices or apparatus applicable to both therapy and diagnosis A61B6/00

Abstract

An embodiment of the disclosure includes a method for treating a lung. The method may include inserting a cooling element into an airway of the lung; and damaging tissue disposed radially outward of surface tissue defining the airway via the cooling element.

Claims

1. A method of treating a lung, the method comprising:

inserting a cooling element into an airway within the lung;

damaging nerve tissue disposed radially outward of surface tissue defining the airway via the cooling element; and

damaging the surface tissue defining the airway.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the cooling element is a cryoprobe.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the cooling element extends from a proximal end toward a distal end, and wherein the distal end of the cooling element has a larger radial dimension than a portion of the cooling element that is proximal to the distal end.

4. The method of claim 1, further including positioning the cooling element to contact the surface tissue.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein damaging nerve tissue includes reducing the volume of nerve tissue or eliminating nerve tissue.

6. The method of claim 1, further including reducing the volume of smooth muscle tissue or eliminating smooth muscle tissue.

7. A method of treating a lung, the method comprising:

absorbing heat from nerve tissue of the lung to reduce the volume of the nerve tissue, wherein the heat is absorbed by a cooling element disposed within an airway of the lung, and

damaging smooth muscle tissue.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the cooling element is a cryoprobe.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the nerve tissue includes nerve tissue disposed radially outward of surface tissue defining the airway.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the nerve tissue is eliminated.

11. A method of treating a lung, the method comprising:

inserting a cooling element into an airway of the lung; and

absorbing heat from the lung to damage nerve tissue along the airway and increase a diameter of the airway.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein damaging the nerve tissue reduces a resting tone of lung smooth muscle.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the nerve tissue is disposed radially outward of surface tissue defining the airway.