Devices for modification of airways by transfer of energy

Abstract

This relates to methods and devices for treating reversible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and more particularly, relates to a device for exchanging energy with airway tissue such as that found in the airway of human lungs. The exchange of energy with this airway tissue in the airways reduces the ability of the air ways to constrict and/or reduces the resistance within the airway to the flow of air through the airway. This also relates to a method for decreasing responsiveness or decreasing resistance to airflow of airways involves the transfer of energy to or from the airway walls to prevent or reduce airway constriction and other symptoms of lung diseases. The treatment reduces the ability of the airway to contract during an acute narrowing of the airways, reduces mucus plugging of the airways, and/or increases the airway diameter. The methods according to the present invention provide a longer duration and/or more effective treatment for lung diseases than currently used drug treatments, and obviate patient compliance issues. This also includes additional steps that reduce the ability of the lung to produce at least one of the symptoms of reversible obstructive pulmonary disease and to reduce the resistance to the flow of air through a lung.

1 . A device for delivering energy to a wall of an airway in a human lung, the device comprising: 
 a flexible elongate body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween;    a deployment member having an electrically conducting wire extending from the proximal portion of the elongate body and extending through the lumen and terminating at a distal tip distal to the distal end of the elongate body;    an expandable basket having a plurality of electrode legs, each of the electrode legs having a first end connected to the distal portion of the elongate body at a proximal joint and a second end connected to the deployment member at a distal joint, the distal joint electrically connecting the wire to each of the electrode legs adjacent to said distal tip, each of the plurality of electrode legs further having an energy insulated region and an energy active region; and    a temperature sensing element coupled to the expandable basket.    
   
   
       2 - 80 . (canceled)  
   
   
       81 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the energy active region is configured to contact a wall in an air passage in a lung when the basket is moved to an expanded radial configuration.  
   
   
       82 . The device of claim  2 , wherein the wire is arranged to deliver electrical current to the electrode legs which when energized alter the air passage so as to treat asthma.  
   
   
       83 . The device of claim  2 , wherein the temperature sensing element comprises two leads separately coupled to the energy active region.  
   
   
       84 . The device of claim  2 , wherein the active energy region is located midway between first and second energy insulated regions of each electrode leg.  
   
   
       85 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the legs comprise four wire shaped electrodes.  
   
   
       86 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a reinforcing member coupled to the elongate body.  
   
   
       87 . The device of claim  7 , wherein the reinforcing member comprises a coiled wire or polymeric insert.  
   
   
       88 . An energy delivery system comprising: 
 the device of  claim 1;  and    a bronchoscope having a working channel for slidably receiving the device.    
   
   
       89 . The system of claim  9 , wherein a diameter of the working channel is 2 mm or less.  
   
   
       90 . The system of claim  9 , further comprising a source of energy electrically connected to the electrode legs for the delivery of monopolar or bipolar energy.  
   
   
       91 . An energy delivery device for transferring energy to an airway wall in a lung, the device comprising: 
 a flexible elongate body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a lumen extending therebetween, and a size suitable to enter a bronchus or bronchiole of a human lung;    a plurality of expandable electrodes attached to the distal end of the elongate member and terminating at a distal tip; and    a deployment member extending between the proximal portion of the elongate body and the distal tip, the deployment member configured to move the electrodes between a collapsed and an expanded radial configuration, wherein each of the electrodes are configured to contact a wall of the bronchus or bronchiole when in the expanded radial configuration, the deployment member having a wire and being arranged to deliver electrical current to the electrodes which when energized alter the bronchus or bronchiole wall so as to treat asthma.    
   
   
       92 . The device of claim  12 , wherein each of the electrodes comprise an active energy region located midway between first and second energy insulated regions.  
   
   
       93 . The device of claim  13 , further comprising a temperature sensing element having two leads separately coupled to the energy active region.  
   
   
       94 . The device of claim  12 , wherein the electrodes comprise four wire shaped electrodes.  
   
   
       95 . The device of claim  12 , further comprising a reinforcing member coupled to the elongate body.  
   
   
       96 . The device of claim  16 , wherein the reinforcing member comprises a coiled wire or polymeric insert.  
   
   
       97 . An energy delivery system comprising: 
 the device of claim  12 ; and    a bronchoscope having a working channel for slidably receiving the device.    
   
   
       98 . The system of claim  18 , wherein a diameter of the working channel is 2 mm or less.  
   
   
       99 . The system of claim  18 , further comprising a source of energy electrically connected to the electrodes for the delivery of monopolar or bipolar energy.  
   
   
       100 . A device for delivering radio frequency energy to an airway wall of a human lung so as to treat asthma, the device comprising: 
 a catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a size suitable for insertion within an airway of a human lung;    two or more radio frequency electrodes disposed at a distal end of the catheter body, the electrodes being configured to contact the lung airway wall when in an expanded radial configuration; and    a thermocouple coupled to the electrodes, wherein the thermocouple provides feedback of tissue temperature so as to ensure sufficient energy transfer to the airway wall of the lung so as to treat asthma.