Method for treating an asthma attack

• US 7,740,017 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2005
• Issued: 06/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Keast, Thomas, Laufer, Michael D., Danek, Christopher J., Loomas, Bryan E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Farah; Ahmed M
• Application Number:
  US11/117,905
• Publication Number:
  US 20050187579A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,880 Days
• Field of Search: 607/42, 607 96-105, 607/124, 606/2, 606/13, 606/27, 606/28, 606/32, 606/41, 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

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 method for treating asthma comprising:

advancing an energy delivery device into an airway of a lung;

deploying the energy delivery device so that a plurality of electrodes contact a wall of the airway; and

applying energy to the airway wall such that the airway wall is altered so an ability of the airway to contract or constrict is reduced.

2. A method for treating asthma comprising:

positioning a bronchoscope into an airway of a lung;

advancing an energy delivery device into the bronchoscope until a distal portion of the device projects from the bronchoscope at a treatment site within the airway; and

delivering energy to the treatment site such that airway tissue is altered so an ability of the airway to contract or constrict is reduced.

3. A method for treating asthma comprising:

positioning an energy delivery device into an airway of a lung; and

delivering radio frequency energy to a wall of the airway for a period of 1-120 seconds such that the airway wall is altered so an ability of the airway to contract or constrict is reduced.

4. A method for treating asthma comprising:

positioning an energy delivery device into an airway of a lung; and

delivering radio frequency energy to a wall of the airway at a predetermined temperature in a range from about 40 degrees Celsius to about 95 degrees Celsius such that the airway wall is altered so an ability of the airway to contract or constrict is reduced.

5. A method for treating asthma comprising:

positioning an energy delivery device into an airway of a lung; and

delivering radio frequency energy to a wall of the airway at a power level of 1-10 watts such that the airway wall is altered so an ability of the airway to contract or constrict is reduced.

6. A method for treating asthma comprising:

positioning an energy delivery device within an airway of a lung;

delivering radio frequency energy to a wall of the airway such that the airway wall is altered so an ability of the airway to contract or constrict is reduced; and

monitoring temperature or impedance in airway tissue.

7. A method for treating asthma comprising:

positioning an energy delivery device within a lung; and

delivering energy to the lung in stages by treating different regions of the lung at different times, wherein energy delivery alters the airways so an ability of the airway to contract or constrict is reduced.