METHOD FOR TREATING AN ASTHMA ATTACK
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Abstract
Methods of increasing gas exchange performed by the lung by damaging lung cells, damaging tissue, causing trauma, and/or destroying airway smooth muscle tone with an apparatus inserted into an airway of the lung are disclosed. The damaging of lung cells, damaging tissue, causing trauma, and/or destroying smooth muscle tone with the apparatus may be accomplished via any one of or combinations of the following: heating the airway; cooling the airway; delivering a liquid to the airway; delivering a gas to the airway; puncturing the airway; tearing the airway; cutting the airway; applying ultrasound to the airway; and applying ionizing radiation to the airway.
10 Citations
33 Claims
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1-32. -32. (canceled)
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33. A method for treating asthma, the method comprising:
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inserting an energy delivery unit into an airway in a lung of a patient, the energy delivery unit including a balloon attached to a distal portion of an elongated support and an electrode element carried by the balloon, wherein the electrode element is configured to contract and expand with the balloon as the balloon moves between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; inflating the balloon such that the electrode element contacts a wall of the airway; and delivering radio frequency energy to the wall of the airway via the electrode element.
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Specification