Bronchial stenter

• US 6,273,907 B1
• Filed: 04/07/1997
• Issued: 08/14/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Broncus Technologies, Inc
• Inventors: Laufer, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Leubecker, John P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GIBSON, ROY DEAN
• Application Number:
  US08/833,550
• Time in Patent Office: 1,590 Days
• Field of Search: 607/98, 607/96, 607/101, 607/113, 607/124, 606/15, 606/28, 606/31
• US Class Current: 607/96
• 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 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• 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 with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22062 to be filled with liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00541 Lung or bronchi
• 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: A61N 1/06 for high-frequency therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/403 for thermotherapy, e.g. hyperthermia

Abstract

A device and method for treating collapsed bronchial tubes found in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma are provided. The device includes an elongated member having a heating element that includes one or more energy delivery members. The method includes heating the bronchial tube to cause at least a portion of the cross links of the collagen in the wall to unlink/open and subsequently form new cross links after the collagen fibers have realigned. The procedure effectively reinforces the structural integrity of the wall and thereby prevents the lumen from collapsing.

Claims

1. An apparatus for treating a bronchial tube having a collapsed or partially collapsed lumen which comprises:

a treatment device comprising an elongated member having a heating element at a distal end that comprises one or more electrodes, comprising non-ferrous material, which when energized causes the wall of the lumen to undergo a structural transformation effective to render the wall capable of supporting a non-collapsed lumen, wherein a distal segment of the elongated member comprises expandable material, wherein the one or more electrodes are positioned on an outer surface of the segment, and wherein the treatment device further comprises an electromagnet located in an interior region of said segment; and

a source of energy that is conducted to the electromagnet by conducting elements in the elongated member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the segment of the elongated member is pleated.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the source of energy comprises a radio frequency generator.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a feedback indicator.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the feedback indicator is an auditory signal.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the feedback indicator is a visual signal.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the feedback indicator is indicative of shrinkage.

8. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the feedback indicator is indicative of temperature.

9. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the feedback indicator is indicative of electrical characteristics.