Energy delivery devices and methods

Abstract

A method for treating a subject includes positioning an intraluminal device at a treatment location in an airway of the subject, and delivering energy from an electrode of the intraluminal device to nerve tissue extending along the airway so as to permanently damage the nerve tissue while cooling airway tissue disposed radially between the electrode and the nerve tissue.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for treating a subject, comprising:
 positioning an intraluminal device at a treatment location in an airway of the subject; and   delivering energy from an electrode of the intraluminal device to nerve tissue extending along the airway so as to permanently damage the nerve tissue while cooling airway tissue disposed radially between the electrode and the nerve tissue.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the airway is an airway of a lung. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein cooling airway tissue inhibits permanent injury to the airway tissue. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the nerve tissue extends along a wall of the airway. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the nerve tissue is located in tissue outside of the airway. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the nerve tissue is at a position that is within at least one of the left and right lung of the subject. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein permanently damaging the nerve tissue includes destroying nerve tissue to inhibit the passage of nerve signals sufficiently to reduce airway resistance in an airway distal to the treatment location. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the cooling step includes protecting an inner surface of a wall of the airway from permanent injury. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the treatment location is in an airway other than a first generation airway of the subject. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein delivering energy from the electrode of the intraluminal device at the treatment location treats multiple generations of airways within the right lung or the left lung of the subject. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein delivering energy from the electrode of the intraluminal device at the treatment location treats airway generations 2-8 within the right lung or the left lung of the subject. 
     
     
         12 . A method for decreasing resistance to airflow within a bronchial tree of a subject, the method comprising:
 moving an intraluminal device along a lumen of an airway of a bronchial tree, the intraluminal device comprising an expandable member and an energy emitter; and   damaging nerves along the airway using the intraluminal device without irreversibly damaging an inner surface of an airway wall disposed radially between the intraluminal device and the nerves,   wherein damaging nerves along the airway comprises applying energy to nerve tissue along the airway wall using the energy emitter while cooling airway tissue at the inner surface of the airway wall.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the airway tissue is cooled by receiving a cooling fluid through the intraluminal device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the expandable member is an inflatable balloon and the airway tissue is cooled by receiving the cooling fluid into the balloon. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein receiving the cooling fluid into the balloon includes introducing the cooling fluid into the balloon through an opening. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the opening is located at a distal end of an inflow line. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the opening is located at an end of the balloon. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein receiving the cooling fluid into the balloon inflates the balloon.