Energy delivery and illumination devices and methods

Abstract

This relates to methods and devices for improving treatment to a wall, a cavity or passageway with a medical device when used in tortuous anatomy.

1 . A method for differentiating treated tissue from untreated tissue in an airway of a human lung, the method comprising: 
 delivering energy to tissue of an airway of a lung so as to treat asthma; and    illuminating the tissue so as to differentiate treated tissue from untreated tissue.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein illuminating comprises emitting light at certain wavelengths.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the certain wavelengths include 470 nm, 570 nm, or 590 nm.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein illuminating comprises emitting light at a single wavelength or multiple wavelengths.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein illuminating comprises emitting light in a visible, ultraviolet, infrared, or non-visible spectrum.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising filtering the light.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein illuminating the tissue comprises emitting light through a polarizing filter or fiber so as to differentiate treated tissue from untreated tissue based on birefringence.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the polarized light is reflected or transmitted.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein delivering energy to tissue comprises heating the tissue such that the tissue loses an ability to polarize light.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein illuminating the tissue so as to differentiate treated tissue from untreated tissue is based on reflectance of the tissue.  
     
     
         11 . A method for differentiating treated tissue from untreated tissue in an airway of a human lung, the method comprising: 
 delivering energy to tissue of an airway of a lung so as to treat asthma; and    filtering tissue images from a bronchoscopic visualization system so as to differentiate treated tissue from untreated tissue.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein filtering comprises electronically filtering the tissue images for desired wavelengths.  
     
     
         13 . An energy delivery and illumination device for use within an airway of a human lung, the device comprising: 
 an elongate shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion;    a plurality radio frequency electrodes disposed at the distal portion of the shaft, the electrodes being configured to contact a lung airway wall in an expanded radial configuration and apply energy to treat asthma; and    an illumination source located towards the distal portion of the shaft.    
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the illumination source is coupled to the distal portion of the shaft.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the illumination source is coupled to one of the electrodes.  
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 13 , further comprising a distal tip coupled to distal ends of the electrodes.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the illumination source is coupled to the distal tip.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising a center wire extending from the proximal portion of the shaft to the distal tip, wherein the illumination source is coupled to the center wire.  
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the illumination source comprises a plurality of illumination sources.  
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the illumination source comprises a light emitting diode.  
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the illumination source comprises an optical fiber or filament.  
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 13 , further comprising a filter located towards the distal portion of the shaft.  
     
     
         23 . An energy delivery and illumination system comprising: 
 the device of  claim 13;     a source of energy electrically coupled to the electrodes for the delivery of monopolar or bipolar radio frequency energy.    
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , further comprising an illumination supply coupled to the illumination source for emitting light.  
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the illumination supply comprises a coherent light source.  
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the coherent light source comprises a laser.  
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 23 , further comprising a bronchoscope having a working channel for slidably receiving the device.  
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , further comprising a filter coupled to the bronchoscope.