Methods for treating a lung

Abstract

A method for treating a lung may include moving a balloon through an airway of the lung while the balloon is in a deflated configuration, and inflating the balloon to cause one or more radio frequency electrodes disposed adjacent an outer surface of the balloon to contact tissue defining the airway. The method also may include delivering radio frequency energy from the one or more radio frequency electrodes to damage nerve tissue.

1 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A method for treating a lung, the method comprising:
 moving a balloon through an airway of the lung while the balloon is in a deflated configuration;   inflating the balloon to cause one or more radio frequency electrodes disposed adjacent an outer surface of the balloon to contact tissue defining the airway; and   delivering radio frequency energy from the one or more radio frequency electrodes to damage nerve tissue.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein inflating the balloon includes delivering a fluid to the balloon via a lumen. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , further including delivering energy to the one or more radio frequency electrodes via an energizing member extending through the lumen. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the energizing member extends from the lumen through the outer surface of the balloon to the one or more radio frequency electrodes. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the fluid is saline. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the balloon includes a plurality of radio frequency electrodes that are longitudinally spaced from one another. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the radio frequency energy is in the range of 10 MHz and 1000 MHz. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the tissue defining the airway or the nerve tissue is heated by the radio frequency electrodes to a temperature in the range of 40° C. to 95° C. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the one or more radio frequency electrode is formed as a coil. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the radio frequency energy is delivered in a monopolar manner. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the radio frequency energy is delivered in a bipolar manner. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein damaging nerve tissue increases a diameter of the airway. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the nerve tissue is disposed within or radially outward of the tissue defining the airway. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the one or more radio frequency electrodes are disposed on the outer surface of the balloon. 
     
     
         47 . A method for treating a lung, the method comprising:
 moving a balloon through an airway of the lung while the balloon is in a deflated configuration;   inflating the balloon to cause one or more radio frequency electrodes disposed adjacent an outer surface of the balloon to contact tissue defining the airway, wherein inflating the balloon includes delivering a fluid to the balloon via a lumen; and   delivering radio frequency energy from the one or more radio frequency electrodes to the tissue defining the airway, wherein the radio frequency energy is transferred from an energy source to the one or more radio frequency electrodes via an energizing member extending through the lumen.   
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the energizing member extends through the outer surface of the balloon. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the fluid is saline. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the balloon includes a plurality of radio frequency electrodes that are longitudinally spaced from one another. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the tissue defining the airway is heated by the one or more radio frequency electrodes to a temperature in the range of 40° C. to 95° C. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein delivering radio frequency energy increases a diameter of the airway.