System and method for bronchial dilation

• US 9,867,986 B2
• Filed: 01/09/2017
• Issued: 01/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nuvaira, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Holaira, Inc. (Nuvaira, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hlavka, Edwin J., Elliott, Lynn
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Nicole F
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lavert, Nicole F.
• Application Number:
  US15/401,825
• Publication Number:
  US 20170120049A1
• Time in Patent Office: 372 Days
• Field of Search: 607 2, 607 42, 607118, 600529
• 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 18/12 by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00434 Neural system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00541 Lung or bronchi
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/08 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0823 Detecting or evaluating cough events
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4836 Diagnosis combined with treatment in closed-loop systems or methods A61B5/0036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/686 Permanently implanted devices, e.g. pacemakers, other stimulators, biochips A61B5/6861 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3601 of respiratory organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3611 Respiration control stimulating respiratory organs A61N1/3601

Abstract

A method of reducing bronchial constriction in a subject includes delivering energy to create one or more lesions on a main bronchus so as to transect pulmonary nerves sufficiently to reduce bronchial constriction in a lung of the patient distal to the main bronchus.

Claims

1. A method of treating a patient with a signal generator and an electrode operatively coupled to the signal generator, the method comprising:

delivering energy from the signal generator via the electrode to nerve tissue located along an airway in the patient so as to have an effect on the patient, the effect being selected from the group consisting of;

impeding nerve signal traffic to and/or from a lung of the patient, relieving bronchial smooth muscle contraction, facilitating nerve signal traffic to and/or from the lung of the patient to provide pulmonary maintenance, and combinations thereof.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrode is configured to be positioned proximate the bronchus or trachea so as to at least partially extend circumferentially about at least a portion of an inner or outer surface of the bronchus or trachea.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal generator is programmed to inhibit adaptation of a nervous system of the patient to the delivery of energy to the nerve tissue.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the energy generated by the signal generator comprises a blocking signal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal generator is configured to deliver the blocking signal at a frequency between 10 and 5000 Hertz, at an amplitude between 0.1 and 10 milliamps, and with a pulse width between 50 microseconds and 2 milliseconds.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering energy from the signal generator via the electrode to the nerve tissue is configured to damage the nerve tissue, the method further comprising:

inhibiting re-innervation of the nerve tissue.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein inhibiting re-innervation of the nerve tissue includes implanting an active stimulation system that substantially inhibits nerve signals at the airway to maintain the effect on the patient.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrode is an implantable electrode configured to be positioned proximate the nerve tissue located along the airway in the patient.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering energy from the signal generator via the electrode to the nerve tissue is based on an indication of a decrease in bronchial diameter.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the indication is provided by a sensor.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering energy from the signal generator via the electrode to the nerve tissue is based on input received from another device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the other device comprises a programmer.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the other device is operable by a clinician.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the other device is operable by the patient.

15. A system for treating a patient with an electrode operatively coupled to a signal generator, the system comprising:

an electrode operatively coupled to the patient;

a signal generator operatively coupled to the electrode;

one or more sensors configured to detect at least one condition of an airway;

wherein the signal generator is configured to deliver energy via the electrode to the patient based on the at least one condition of the airway so as to have an effect on the patient, the effect being selected from the group consisting of;

impeding nerve signal traffic to and/or from a lung of the patient, relieving bronchial smooth muscle contraction, facilitating nerve signal traffic to and/or from the lung of the patient to provide pulmonary maintenance, and combinations thereof.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more sensors are external to the patient.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more sensors are implantable in the patient.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more sensors are selected from the group consisting of cough sensors, mucous sensors, and combinations thereof.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the one or more sensors comprise a mucous sensor configured to detect mucus or other matter, to detect a building or accumulation of mucus or other matter in the lungs or bronchi, or combinations thereof.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the mucus sensor comprises an impedance sensor.

21. The system of claim 15, wherein the electrode is an implantable electrode configured to be positioned proximate nerve tissue located along the airway in the patient.