Methods of treating reversible obstructive pulmonary disease

• US 20040182399A1
• Filed: 03/26/2004
• Published: 09/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Laufer, Michael D., Loomas, Bryan, Danek, Christopher James, Kaplan, Gary, Biggs, Michael, Shriner, Kelly
• Granted Patent: US 7,264,002 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/898
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22004 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic shock waves A61B17/225 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/08 by means of electrically-heated probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/12 by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1485 having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings
• 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 2017/00115 with audible or visual output
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00292 mounted on or guided by flexible, e.g. catheter-like, means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22062 to be filled with liquid
• 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 2018/00541 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 2018/044 : the surgical action being effected by a circulating hot fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/046 : in liquid form
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1807 : using light other than laser radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3614 : using optical fibre
• 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: A61N 5/0601 : Apparatus for use inside the body

Abstract

This relates to treating an asthmatic lung and more particularly, relates to advancing a treatment device into the lung and treating the lung with the device. This also includes additional steps of treating the airway wall, applying energy or heat to the airway wall in an asthmatic lung.

Claims

1. A method for treating a lung having reversible obstructive pulmonary disease, comprising:

applying energy to a treatment site in lung tissue;

controlling a temperature of tissue near the treatment site.

2. The method of claim 1, where controlling the temperature comprises reducing the temperature.

3. The method of claim 1, where controlling the temperature comprises stabilizing the temperature.

4. The method of claim 1, where controlling the temperature reduces damage to the tissue.

5. The method of claim 4, where the tissue comprises an epithelium.

6. The method of claim 1, where reducing the temperature comprises injecting a fluid into the lung.

7. The method of claim 6, where the fluid comprises a bio-compatible fluid.

8. The method of claim 7, where the bio-compatible fluid comprises saline.

9. The method of claim 6, where injecting the fluid into the lung comprises injecting the fluid into an airway.

10. The method of claim 6, where injecting the fluid into the lung comprises injecting the fluid into a parenchyma of the lung.

11. The method of claim 6, where the fluid is oxygenated.

12. The method of claim 6, where locating the treatment site comprises locating the treatment site through a non-invasive imaging technique.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising ventilating a portion of the lung.

14. The method of claim 1, where controlling the temperature of the tissue comprises controlling temperature of tissue proximal, distal, or circumferentially adjacent to the treatment site.

15. The method of claim 1, where applying energy comprises treating the airway wall in a pre-determined pattern.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein applying energy comprises applying radio frequency energy to the airway wall.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising inserting a visualization system in the lungs.