Methods of treating a lung

• US 9,789,331 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2013
• Issued: 10/17/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Danek, Christopher J., Loomas, Bryan E., Keast, Thomas M., Laufer, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Farah, Ahmed
• Application Number:
  US14/055,186
• Publication Number:
  US 20140046319A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,462 Days
• Field of Search: 607 96, 607101, 607102, 607104, 607115, 607116, 607118, 606 32, 606 33, 606 41, 606 48, 600373, 128898
• 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 2018/00541 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 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 29/02 : 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

A method for treating the lung dining an acute episode of reversible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease such as an asthma attack. The method comprises transferring energy to an airway wall of an airway such that a diameter of the airway is increased. The energy may be transferred to the airway wall prior to, during or after an asthma attack. The energy may be transferred in an amount sufficient to temporarily or permanently increase the diameter of the airway. The method may be performed while the airway is open, closed or partially closed.

Claims

1. A method of treating a lung, comprising:

positioning an expandable energy delivery assembly within a lung airway, wherein the expandable energy delivery assembly includes;

a balloon;

a lumen disposed within the balloon, wherein a distal opening of the lumen is disposed proximally of a distal end of the balloon; and

a radiofrequency electrode disposed exterior to a surface of the balloon and extending only partially around a circumference of the balloon;

inflating the balloon with a fluid directed along a path radially offset from the lumen to cause the balloon to expand towards tissue defining the lung airway;

applying energy from the radiofrequency electrode to a treatment location in tissue of the lung;

absorbing heat from tissue proximal, distal, or circumferentially adjacent to the treatment location; and

returning the fluid from the balloon so that the fluid flows through the distal opening of the lumen and into the lumen.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein applying energy from the radiofrequency electrode to a treatment location in tissue of the lung includes applying energy to tissue along a length of the lung airway by moving the expandable energy delivery assembly along the length of the lung airway.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the expandable energy delivery assembly is moved along the length of the lung airway when in an expanded configuration.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, prior to applying energy, the method further comprises the step of expanding the expandable energy delivery assembly within the lung airway so as to position the radiofrequency electrode into contact with tissue defining the lung airway.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

collapsing the expandable energy delivery assembly by conveying fluid from the balloon;

repositioning the expandable energy delivery assembly at another location within the airway;

expanding the expandable energy delivery assembly; and

applying energy from the radiofrequency electrode to the another location.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein applying energy from the radiofrequency electrode includes transferring energy such that a temperature of tissue defining the lung airway is in a range between 55°

C. to 80°

C. for up to 20 seconds.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein applying energy from the radiofrequency electrode to a treatment location in tissue of the lung causes damage to nerve tissue of the lung.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein damage to nerve tissue includes eliminating nerve tissue.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the expandable energy delivery assembly includes only one radiofrequency electrode.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein absorbing heat reduces damage to epithelium defining the lung airway, and applying energy from the radiofrequency electrode to a treatment location in tissue of the lung does not destroy epithelium defining the lung airway.

11. A method of treating a lung, comprising:

positioning an expandable energy delivery assembly within a lung airway, wherein the expandable energy delivery assembly includes;

a balloon;

a lumen disposed within the balloon, wherein a distal opening of the lumen is disposed proximally of a distal end of the balloon; and

a radiofrequency electrode disposed exterior to a surface of the balloon, wherein the radiofrequency electrode extends only partially around a circumference of the balloon, and the radiofrequency electrode includes an electrically conductive portion extending from a first end toward a second end, and the expandable energy delivery assembly includes a first nonconductive tubing coupled to the first end of the electrically conductive portion, and a second nonconductive tubing coupled to the second end of the electrically conductive portion;

inflating the balloon with a fluid directed along a path radially offset from the lumen to cause the balloon to expand towards tissue defining the lung airway;

applying energy from the radiofrequency electrode to a treatment location in tissue of the lung;

absorbing heat from tissue proximal, distal, or circumferentially adjacent to the treatment location; and

returning the fluid from the balloon so that the fluid flows through the distal opening of the lumen and into the lumen.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein applying energy from the radiofrequency electrode to a treatment location in tissue of the lung includes applying energy to tissue along a length of the lung airway by moving the expandable energy delivery assembly along the length of the lung airway, wherein the expandable energy delivery assembly is moved along the length of the lung airway when in an expanded configuration.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein, prior to applying energy, the method further comprises the step of expanding the expandable energy delivery assembly within the lung airway so as to position the radiofrequency electrode into contact with tissue defining the lung airway.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

collapsing the expandable energy delivery assembly by conveying fluid from the balloon;

repositioning the expandable energy delivery assembly at another location within the airway;

expanding the expandable energy delivery assembly; and

applying energy from the radiofrequency electrode to the another location.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein applying energy from the radiofrequency electrode includes transferring energy such that a temperature of tissue defining the lung airway is in a range between 55°

C. to 80°

C. for up to 20 seconds.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein applying energy from the radiofrequency electrode to a treatment location in tissue of the lung causes damage to nerve tissue of the lung.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein damage to nerve tissue includes eliminating nerve tissue.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the expandable energy delivery assembly includes only one radiofrequency electrode.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein absorbing heat reduces damage to epithelium defining the lung airway, and applying energy from the radiofrequency electrode to a treatment location in tissue of the lung does not destroy epithelium defining the lung airway.