Apparatus and method for treating pulmonary conditions
First Claim
1. A method for treating asthma in a subject, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing an apparatus for positioning at a target site innervated by the pulmonary plexus, the apparatus comprising a fluid exchange catheter, an inflatable balloon coupled to the fluid exchange catheter, and an energy delivery mechanism including a plurality of energy delivery members for delivering electrical energy to the target site;
delivering an expansion medium to the apparatus so that the inflatable balloon is sufficiently inflated to sandwich at least a portion of the plurality of energy delivery members between the inflatable balloon and a luminal wall of the tracheo-bronchial tree at the target site; and
delivering electrical energy to the plurality of energy delivery members to stimulate the pulmonary plexus and effect a change in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) of the subject and thereby treat the asthma;
wherein the plurality of energy delivery members is arranged on the inflatable balloon to facilitate focal delivery of the electrical energy to only the pulmonary plexus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for treating a pulmonary condition in a subject is provided. One step of the method includes providing an apparatus for positioning at a target site innervated by at least one nerve of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The apparatus includes a fluid exchange catheter, an inflatable balloon coupled to the fluid exchange catheter, and an energy delivery mechanism including at least one energy delivery member for delivering electrical energy to the target site. Next, an expansion medium is delivered to the apparatus so that the inflatable balloon is sufficiently inflated to sandwich at least a portion of the at least one energy delivery member between the inflatable balloon and a luminal wall of the tracheo-bronchial tree at the target site. Electrical energy is then delivered to the at least one energy delivery member to effect a change in the ANS of the subject.
70 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for treating asthma in a subject, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing an apparatus for positioning at a target site innervated by the pulmonary plexus, the apparatus comprising a fluid exchange catheter, an inflatable balloon coupled to the fluid exchange catheter, and an energy delivery mechanism including a plurality of energy delivery members for delivering electrical energy to the target site; delivering an expansion medium to the apparatus so that the inflatable balloon is sufficiently inflated to sandwich at least a portion of the plurality of energy delivery members between the inflatable balloon and a luminal wall of the tracheo-bronchial tree at the target site; and delivering electrical energy to the plurality of energy delivery members to stimulate the pulmonary plexus and effect a change in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) of the subject and thereby treat the asthma; wherein the plurality of energy delivery members is arranged on the inflatable balloon to facilitate focal delivery of the electrical energy to only the pulmonary plexus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a subject, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing an apparatus for positioning at a target site innervated by the pulmonary plexus, the apparatus comprising a fluid exchange catheter, an inflatable balloon coupled to the fluid exchange catheter, and an energy delivery mechanism including a plurality of energy delivery members for delivering electrical energy to the pulmonary plexus; delivering an expansion medium to the apparatus so that the inflatable balloon is sufficiently inflated to sandwich at least a portion of the plurality of energy delivery members between the inflatable balloon and a luminal wall of the tracheo-bronchial tree at the target site; and delivering electrical energy to the plurality of energy delivery members to stimulate the at least one nerve of the ANS and effect a change in the ANS of the subject and thereby treat the COPD; wherein the plurality of energy delivery members is arranged on the inflatable balloon to facilitate focal delivery of the electrical energy to only the pulmonary plexus.
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18. A method for treating adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in a subject, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing an apparatus for positioning at a target site innervated by the pulmonary plexus, the apparatus comprising a fluid exchange catheter, an inflatable balloon coupled to the fluid exchange catheter, and an energy delivery mechanism including a plurality of energy delivery members for delivering electrical energy to the target site; delivering an expansion medium to the apparatus so that the inflatable balloon is sufficiently inflated to sandwich at least a portion of the plurality of energy delivery members between the inflatable balloon and a luminal wall of the tracheo-bronchial tree at the target site; and delivering electrical energy to the plurality of energy delivery members to stimulate the pulmonary plexus and effect a change in the ANS of the subject and thereby treat the ARDS; wherein the plurality of energy delivery members is arranged on the inflatable balloon to facilitate focal delivery of the electrical energy to only the pulmonary plexus.
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Specification