Method for treating an asthma attack

• US 8,944,071 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2012
• Issued: 02/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Loomas, Bryan, Laufer, Michael D., Thompson, David P.
• Primary Examiner(s): FARAH, AHMED M
• Application Number:
  US13/590,129
• Publication Number:
  US 20120323235A1
• Time in Patent Office: 897 Days
• Field of Search: 607/88, 607/89, 607 96-102, 607/113, 606 27- 50, 128/898
• US Class Current: 128/898
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/02 by cooling, e.g. cryogenic techniques devices for cooling specific reflex points of the body within cell-life limits A61H39/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/04 by heating by applying electromagnetic radiation A61B18/18; hyperthermia using electric or magnetic fields, radiation or ultrasound A61N
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/08 by means of electrically-heated probes
• 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 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• 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 2018/00434 Neural system
• 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 2018/0212 using an instrument inserted into a body lumen, e.g. catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3614 : using optical fibre
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0018 : Trunk or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0059 : with an open fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/126 : for invasive application, e.g. for introducing into blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/123 : using a flexible balloon containing the thermal element
• 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: A61M 29/02 : Dilators made of swellable material balloon catheters for angioplasty A61M25/104
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/06 : for high-frequency therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/403 : for thermotherapy, e.g. hyperthermia
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/00 : Radiation therapy ultrasound therapy A61N7/00; devices or apparatus applicable to both therapy and diagnosis A61B6/00

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.

Claims

1. A method for treating a lung of a patient, the method comprising:

inserting an energy delivery unit into an airway in the lung, the energy delivery unit including a balloon at 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.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein inflating the balloon comprises moving the balloon through a range of diameters of at least approximately 1 mm to 7 mm.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering radio frequency energy to the wall of the airway comprises circumferentially heating target tissue at a temperature of at least about 60°

C.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrode element includes a plurality of electrodes.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the plurality of electrodes form at least one row of electrodes.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrode includes a coil.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein inflating the balloon comprises at least partially filling the balloon with a fluid.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrode element includes a bipolar electrode element.

9. A method for treating a lung of a patient, the method comprising:

inserting an energy delivery device into an airway in the lung, the energy delivery unit comprising;

an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween;

an expandable member extending from a distal portion of the elongate member, wherein the expandable member is configured to transition between a first configuration and a second configuration different from the first configuration; and

an electrode disposed on the expandable member;

expanding the expandable member such that the electrode is positioned adjacent a wall of the airway; and

delivering energy to the wall of the airway via the electrode.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the expandable member includes a balloon, the first configuration is a collapsed configuration, and the second configuration is an inflated, expanded configuration.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein expanding the expandable member includes inflating the balloon by at least partially filling the balloon with a fluid.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the electrode includes a plurality of electrodes in a row.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the electrode includes a coil.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the electrode includes a bipolar electrode.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the energy includes radio frequency energy.

16. A method for treating a lung of a patient, the method comprising:

positioning an expandable member in an airway, the expandable member including at least one electrode disposed thereon, wherein the electrode extends from a distal portion of an elongate member;

expanding the expandable member from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration so that the electrode is disposed adjacent a wall of the airway; and

delivering energy to the wall via the electrode.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the expandable member is a balloon, and wherein expanding the expandable member includes inflating the balloon by at least partially filling the balloon with a fluid.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one electrode includes a plurality of electrodes.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one electrode includes a bipolar electrode.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the energy includes radio frequency energy.