Methods of treating asthma

• US 7,273,055 B2
• Filed: 08/13/2003
• Issued: 09/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (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
• Primary Examiner(s): Matthews; William H.
• Application Number:
  US10/640,967
• Publication Number:
  US 20040031494A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,504 Days
• Field of Search: 128/898, 606/28, 606/41, 607/42, 607 96-105, 607/113, 607/115, 607/116
• 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 with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• 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 an asthmatic lung, comprising;

advancing a device into an asthmatic lung;

locating a treatment site within an airway of the lung;

treating an airway wall of the lung with the device by exposing smooth muscle tissue surrounding the airway to energy from the device to cause a structural change in the smooth muscle tissue so as to reduce the ability of the smooth muscle to contract; and

reducing or stabilizing a temperature of lung tissue adjacent to the treatment site.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein reducing or stabilizing the temperature of lung tissue comprises injecting a cold fluid into lung parenchyma, the method further comprising removing the fluid from the lung.

3. A method for treating an asthmatic lung, comprising:

advancing a device into an asthmatic lung; and

treating the lung with the device by exposing smooth muscle tissue surrounding an airway to energy from the device to cause a structural change in the smooth muscle tissue so as to reduce the ability of the smooth muscle to contract, wherein treating the lung comprises treating the lung in stages to reduce a healing load on the lung.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein treating the lung in stages comprises treating different regions of the lung at different times.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein treating the lung in stages comprises dividing a total number of treatment sites into at a plurality of groups of treatment sites, and treating each group at a different time.

6. A method for treating an asthmatic lung, comprising:

inserting a visualization system in an asthmatic lung, where the visualization system comprises an endoscope or bronchoscope;

advancing a device into the lung; and

treating the lung with the device by exposing smooth muscle tissue surrounding an airway to energy from the device to cause a structural change in the smooth muscle tissue so as to reduce the ability of the smooth muscle to contract.

7. The method of claim 6, where advancing the device into the airway of the lung comprises advancing the bronchoscope or endoscope into the airway of the lung and advancing the device into the bronchoscope or endoscope.

8. A method for treating an asthmatic lung, comprising:

advancing a device into an asthmatic lung; and

treating the lung with the device by exposing smooth muscle tissue surrounding an airway to energy horn the device to cause a structural change in the smooth muscle tissue so as to reduce the ability of the smooth muscle to contract, wherein exposing smooth muscle tissue surrounding the airway to energy from the device comprises heating an airway wall to a pre-determined temperature up to 90°

C.

9. The method of claim 8 where the pre-determined temperature is up to 75°

C.

10. A method for treating an asthmatic lung,comprising:

advancing a device into an asthmatic lung; and

treating the lung with the device by exposing smooth muscle tissue surrounding an airway to energy from the device to cause a structural in the smooth muscle tissue so as to reduce the ability of the smooth muscle to contract, wherein exposing smooth muscle tissue surrounding the airway to energy from the device comprises applying radio frequency energy to an airway wall to heat the airway wall to a pre-determined temperature up to 90°

C.

11. The method of claim 10, where the pre-determined temperature is up to 75°

C.