System for treating a lung

• US 9,956,023 B2
• Filed: 01/02/2014
• Issued: 05/01/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, 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:
  US14/146,193
• Publication Number:
  US 20140114378A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,580 Days
• Field of Search: 606 32, 606 41, 606 42, 607 2, 607 42, 607 96, 607 98, 607 99, 607101, 607102, 607116, 607118
• 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

A method for treating the lung during 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 system for treating a lung, the system comprising:

an assembly configured to move along an airway of the lung, the assembly including an expandable distal portion having an electrically conductive region, wherein a proximal end of the electrically conductive region and a distal end of the electrically conductive region are each defined by electrically nonconductive portions, the expandable distal portion is a balloon, and the electrically conductive region is configured to deliver RF energy; and

a controller coupled to the distal portion, the controller being configured to;

control energy delivery to a first location in the lung by the electrically conductive region to damage nerve tissue extending along the airway;

terminate energy delivery; and

reinitiate energy delivery after the electrically conductive region has been moved to a second location in the lung to damage additional nerve tissue extending along the airway.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to adjust the temperature of the electrically conductive region to approximately 60 to 80 degrees C.

3. The system of claim 2, further including a temperature detecting element coupled to the distal portion.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the temperature detecting element is coupled to the electrically conductive region of the distal portion.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the temperature detecting element is coupled to the electrically conductive region of the distal portion by two leads.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein, when one of the two leads of the temperature detecting element separates from the electrically conductive region of the distal portion, no temperature signal is produced by the temperature detecting element.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the distal portion includes a plurality of electrodes.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the controller is further configured to independently apply energy to one or more of the plurality of electrodes.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to utilize an impedance measurement to control energy delivery to the electrically conductive region.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to deliver energy to the electrically conductive region for up to a specific time duration.

11. A system for treating a lung, the system comprising:

an assembly configured to move along an airway of the lung, the assembly including an expandable distal portion having a conductive region, wherein a first end of the conductive region and a second end of the conductive region are each defined by nonconductive portions; and

a controller coupled to the distal portion, the controller being configured to;

control energy delivery to a first location in the lung by the conductive region to damage tissue extending along the airway;

terminate energy delivery; and

reinitiate energy delivery after the conductive region has been moved to a second location in the lung to damage additional tissue extending along the airway.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the tissue is nerve tissue.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the expandable distal portion includes a balloon.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the controller is further configured to adjust the temperature of the conductive region to approximately 60 to 80 degrees C.

15. The system of claim 11, further including a temperature detecting element coupled to the distal portion.

16. A system for treating a lung, the system comprising:

an assembly configured to move along an airway of the lung, the assembly including;

an expandable distal portion having an electrode with an electrically conductive region, wherein a proximal end of the electrically conductive region and a distal end of the electrically conductive region are each defined by electrically nonconductive portions, the electrically conductive region is configured to deliver RF energy, and the expandable distal portion includes a balloon; and

a temperature detecting element coupled to the electrically conductive region of the electrode; and

a controller coupled to the expandable distal portion, the controller being configured to;

control energy delivery to a first location in the lung by the electrically conductive region to damage nerve tissue extending along the airway;

terminate energy delivery; and

reinitiate energy delivery after the electrically conductive region has been moved to a second location in the lung to damage additional nerve tissue extending along the airway.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the controller is further configured to adjust the temperature of the electrically conductive region to approximately 60 to 80 degrees C.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the temperature detecting element is coupled to the electrically conductive region of the electrode by two leads.