Modification of airways by application of mechanical energy

Abstract

Methods of increasing gas exchange performed by the lung by damaging lung cells, damaging tissue, causing trauma, and/or destroying airway smooth muscle tone with an apparatus inserted into an airway of the lung. The damaging of lung cells, damaging tissue, causing trauma, and destroying airway smooth muscle tone with the apparatus may be any one of or combinations of the following: heating the airway; cooling the airway; delivering a liquid to the airway; delivering a gas to the airway; puncturing the airway; tearing the airway; cutting the airway; applying ultrasound to the airway; and applying ionizing radiation to the airway.

1 - 38 . (canceled) 
   
   
       39 . A method of treating a lung, comprising:
 moving an elongated member with an expandable portion through an airway of a lung;   expanding the expandable portion radially outwardly such that the expandable portion presses against an inner wall of the airway; and   at least partially destroying smooth muscle tone of the airway tissue by applying mechanical energy to the airway tissue.   
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 39  wherein applying the mechanical energy to the airway tissue comprises moving the expandable portion in a range between about 1 mm and about 30 mm to press the expandable portion against the airway tissue. 
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 40  wherein applying the mechanical energy to the airway tissue comprises moving the expandable portion in a range between about 1.3 mm and about 7 mm to press the expandable portion against the airway tissue. 
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 39  wherein the expandable portion comprises a balloon and applying the mechanical energy comprises filling the balloon with a fluid so that the balloon presses against the airway. 
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 39  wherein the expandable portion comprises a basket and applying the mechanical energy comprises expanding the basket to press against the airway. 
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 39  wherein applying the mechanical energy comprises dilating the airway tissue. 
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 44  further comprising cutting the airway tissue. 
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 39  further comprising delivering electrical energy to the airway tissue. 
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 39  wherein a treatment time is in a range from about 1 second to about 60 seconds at each treatment site. 
   
   
       48 . A method of treating a lung, comprising:
 moving an elongated member with an expandable portion through an airway of a lung;   expanding the expandable portion radially outwardly such that the expandable portion presses against an inner wall of the airway; and   applying mechanical energy to airway tissue sufficient to alter the airway such that the airway undergoes a transformation effective to treat asthma.   
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the expandable portion comprises a balloon and applying the mechanical energy comprises filling the balloon with a fluid so that the balloon presses against the airway. 
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the expandable portion comprises a basket and applying the mechanical energy comprises expanding the basket to press against the airway. 
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 48  wherein applying the mechanical energy comprises dilating the airway tissue. 
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 51  further comprising cutting the airway tissue. 
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 48  further comprising delivering electrical energy to the airway tissue. 
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the transformation effective to treat asthma comprises reducing the ability of the airway to contract. 
   
   
       55 . A method of treating a lung, comprising:
 moving an elongated member with an expandable portion through an airway of a lung;   expanding the expandable portion radially outwardly such that the expandable portion presses against an inner wall of the airway; and   disrupting response of the airway smooth muscle to signals that trigger the airway smooth muscle to contract by applying a mechanical energy to the airway tissue.