Expandable electode devices and methods of treating bronchial tubes

Abstract

Methods are provided for treating collapsed bronchial tubes found in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, such as asthma. The method includes heating the bronchial tube to cause tissue in the wall of the bronchial tube to undergo a structural transformation effective to render the wall capable of supporting a non-collapsed lumen. The procedure effectively reinforces the structural integrity of the bronchial tube wall and thereby prevents the lumen from collapsing.

1 . A method for treating an air passage in a lung, the method comprising: 
 delivering energy to an air passage in a lung to heat the air passage to cause a structural transformation resulting in improved lung function.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the structural transformation comprises rendering the air passage capable of supporting a non-collapsed lumen such that air flow through the lumen increases.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the structural transformation resulting in improved lung function ameliorates the effects of asthma.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein delivering energy to the air passage comprises heating the air passage to a temperature in a range between 60° C. and 95° C.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein delivering energy to the air passage comprises delivering between 1 watt to 25 watts of energy to the air passage.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein energy is delivered for a time period in a range between 1 second to about 60 seconds.  
   
   
       7 . A method of treating asthma, the method comprising: 
 advancing a treatment apparatus into a lumen of an air passage in a lung;    expanding the apparatus to contact a wall of the air passage; and    energizing the apparatus to raise a temperature of the wall sufficiently to cause the air passage to undergo a structural transformation effective to treat asthma.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein advancing further comprises inserting the apparatus through a working channel of a bronchoscope.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein energizing the apparatus comprises applying monopolar or bipolar radio frequency energy.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein energizing the apparatus comprises simultaneously or sequentially activating electrodes.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising monitoring a temperature or impedance of the air passage wall while delivering energy to the airway passage.  
   
   
       12 . A device for delivering radio frequency energy to a wall of an air passage of a lung so as to treat asthma, the device comprising: 
 a tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween;    a plurality of expandable radio frequency electrodes attached to the distal end of the tubular member and terminating at a distal tip, each of the electrodes having an insulated sleeve and an exposed contact region; and    a deployment member attached to the distal tip and positioned in the lumen of the tubular member, the deployment member configured to move the expandable electrodes between a collapsed and a radially expanded configuration, wherein the electrode contact regions are configured to contact a wall in an air passage in a lung when in the expanded radial configuration and which when energized causes the air passage to undergo a structural transformation effective to treat asthma.    
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the electrodes comprise wire shaped electrodes.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the electrodes comprise four curved electrodes.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the exposed contact region is located midway between a first and second end of each electrode.  
   
   
       16 . An energy delivery system comprising: 
 the device of  claim 12;  and    a bronchoscope having an illumination element, a visualization element, and a working channel for slidably receiving the device.    
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a source of energy electrically connected to the electrodes for the delivery of monopolar or bipolar energy.