Method for treating a lung

• US 9,027,564 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2013
• Issued: 05/12/2015
• 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: Danek, Christopher J., Loomas, Bryan E., Keast, Thomas M., Laufer, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): FARAH, AHMED M
• Application Number:
  US13/891,959
• Publication Number:
  US 20130253492A1
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 607/42, 607/96, 607 98-105, 607/124, 606/27, 606/28, 606/32, 606/41, 606/50, 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

An embodiment of the invention includes a method for decreasing resistance to airflow within a bronchial tree of a subject. The method may include the step of moving an intraluminal device along a lumen of an airway of a bronchial tree, where the intraluminal device includes an expandable member and an energy emitter. The method also may include damaging nerves along the airway using the intraluminal device without destroying an inner surface of an airway wall disposed radially between the intraluminal device and the nerves.

Claims

1. A method for decreasing resistance to airflow within a bronchial tree of a subject, the method comprising:

moving an intraluminal device along a lumen of an airway of the bronchial tree, the intraluminal device comprising an expandable member and an energy emitter; and

damaging nerves along the airway by applying energy to the nerves from the energy emitter without destroying an inner surface of an airway wall disposed radially between the intraluminal device and the nerves, wherein damaging nerves along the airway comprises damaging nerve tissue adjacent to the airway wall.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein damaging nerves along the airway comprises damaging nerve tissue at a position that is within at least one of the left and right lung of the subject.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the airway comprises a bronchus.

4. A method for decreasing resistance to airflow within a bronchial tree of a subject, the method comprising:

moving an intraluminal device along a lumen of an airway of the bronchial tree, the intraluminal device comprising an expandable member and an energy emitter; and

damaging nerves along the airway by applying energy to the nerves from the energy emitter without destroying an inner surface of an airway wall disposed radially between the intraluminal device and the nerves, wherein damaging nerves along the airway includes damaging nerve tissue extending along a tubular section of the airway wall so as to prevent nervous system signals transmitted along the airway wall from traveling past the damaged portion.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein damaging nerves along the airway comprises damaging at least one nerve at a position that is within a left lung or a right lung.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein damaging nerves along the airway comprises damaging nerve tissue adjacent to the airway wall.

7. A method for decreasing resistance to airflow within a bronchial tree of a subject, the method comprising:

moving an intraluminal device along a lumen of an airway of the bronchial tree, the intraluminal device comprising an expandable member and an energy emitter; and

damaging nerves along the airway by applying energy to the nerves from the energy emitter without irreversibly damaging an inner surface of an airway wall disposed radially between the intraluminal device and the nerves, wherein the airway comprises a bronchus.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein damaging nerves along the airway comprises damaging at least one nerve at a position that is within a left lung or a right lung.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein damaging nerves along the airway includes damaging nerve tissue extending along a tubular section of the airway wall so as to prevent nervous system signals transmitted along the airway wall from traveling past the damaged portion.