Systems and techniques for lung volume reduction

• US 20030018327A1
• Filed: 07/18/2002
• Published: 01/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Csaba Truckai, John H. Shadduck
• Original Assignee: Csaba Truckai, John H. Shadduck
• Inventors: Shadduck, John H., Truckai, Csaba
• Application Number:
  US10/198,041
• Publication Number:
  US 20030018327A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/32
• 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 2018/00148 with metal
• 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 2018/00541 Lung or bronchi
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00851 fundamental
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1266 with DC current output
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1407 Loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/141 Snare
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1435 Spiral
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1465 Deformable electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/002 Irrigation

Abstract

This invention provides least invasive instruments and methods for lung volume reduction. In one embodiment, a catheter has a collapsible working end electrode that can engage an artery wall in a plurality of locations in a patient'"'"'s bronchial tree to deliver Rf energy to the vessel wall. The application of energy induces the vessel wall to shrink and occlude. The occlusion of the vessel will cause the tertiary bronchus to shrink and wither until cell death is caused wherein the tissue then will be resorbed by the patient'"'"'s body.

Claims

1. A method for treating advanced chronic obstructive lung disease by reducing lung volume, comprising the steps of:

(a) introducing a catheter working end endovascularly to at least one targeted site in a bronchial artery;

(b) applying energy to the artery wall at the targeted site by means of electrical current flow from at least one electrode carried at said working end to the artery wall, wherein the application of energy damages and occludes the artery at said targeted site; and

(c) withdrawing the catheter working end from the patient'"'"'s vasculature wherein the occluded artery causes subsequently causes resorption of portions of the bronchus distal to said targeted site thereby reducing lung volume.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein current flow in step (b) is provided by said at least one electrode functioning with a single polarity.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein current flow in step (b) is provided between first and second spaced apart electrodes functioning with opposing polarities.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said at least one electrode has a collapsed position and an expanded position and step (a) includes the step of moving the electrode to the expanded position to engage the arterial wall.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) includes the step of moving said at least one electrode along the arterial wall while delivering electrical current flow thereto.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said at least one electrode is carried on an expandable balloon and step (a) includes the step of expanding the balloon to move said at least one electrode to engage the arterial wall.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein spaced apart bi-polar electrodes are carried on an expandable balloon and step (a) includes the step of expanding the balloon to thereby engage the arterial wall wherein the degree of expansion of elastic portions of the balloon wall intermediate said bi-polar electrodes controls the center-to-center dimension between said bi-polar electrodes and thereby controls the depth of energy delivery in the engaged arterial wall.

8. A method for treating advanced chronic obstructive lung disease by reducing lung volume, comprising the steps of:

(a) introducing a catheter working end endovascularly to at least one targeted site in a bronchial artery;

(b) deploying an occlusive device from said working end into the lumen of the artery to occlude the artery at said targeted site; and

(c) withdrawing the catheter working end from the patient'"'"'s vasculature wherein the occluded artery causes subsequent resorption of portions of the bronchus distal to said targeted site thereby reducing lung volume.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein step (b) deploys a self-expanding body of a shape memory material.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the self-expanding body is of nitinol.

11. A method for treating advanced chronic obstructive lung disease by reducing lung volume, comprising the steps of:

(a) introducing a catheter working end endovascularly to at least one targeted site in a bronchial artery;

(b) deploying a biocompatible glue from said working end into the lumen of the artery to occlude the artery at said targeted site; and

(c) withdrawing the catheter working end from the patient'"'"'s vasculature wherein the occluded artery causes later resorption of portions of the bronchus distal to said targeted site thereby reducing lung volume.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the biocompatible glue is cyanoacrylate.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the hydrogel is bioabsorbable.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the hydrogel is a microporous or superporous gel.

18. The endovascular catheter system of claim 17 wherein said first and second conductor portions comprise a plurality of axially-extending elements.

19. The endovascular catheter system of claim 17 wherein said first and second conductor portions comprise a plurality of helically-extending elements.

20. The endovascular catheter system of claim 17 wherein said first and second conductor portions comprise a plurality of circumferentially-extending elements.

13. A method for treating advanced chronic obstructive lung disease by reducing lung volume, comprising the steps of:

(a) introducing a catheter working end endovascularly to at least one targeted site in a bronchial artery;

(b) deploying a volume of a desiccated hydrogel into the artery from the catheter working end;

(c) wherein hydration and expansion of the hydrogel volume engages the artery walls to occlude the artery at said targeted site; and

(d) withdrawing the catheter working end from the patient'"'"'s vasculature wherein the occlusion causes subsequent resorption of portions of the bronchus distal to said targeted site thereby reducing lung volume.

16. A method for treating advanced chronic obstructive lung disease by reducing lung volume, comprising the steps of:

(a) introducing an elongate member through airway in a patient'"'"'s bronchus to at least one targeted site;

(b) applying energy to said targeted site by delivering electrical current flow at a selected power level to at least one electrode carried at said working end, wherein the application of energy damages and occludes blood vessels in the bronchial wall at said targeted site; and

(c) withdrawing the member wherein the occluded blood vessels cause subsequent resorption of portions of the bronchus distal to said targeted site thereby reducing lung volume.

17. An endovascular catheter system for treating advanced chronic obstructive lung disease by reducing lung volume, comprising:

an elongate flexible catheter sleeve extending along an axis from a proximal handle portion to a working end;

an expandable balloon member carried at the working end;

first and second spaced apart thin-film conductor portions carried on a surface of the expandable balloon;

wherein said first and second conductor portions are operatively coupled to an electrical source defining opposing polarities therein for delivering energy to body structure engaged by said conductor portions; and

wherein said first and second conductor portions are substantially non-elastic portions of the balloon wall with elastic portions of the balloon wall being intermediate said first and second conductor portions.