Methods for treating airways

Abstract

This relates to treating airways in a lung to decrease asthmatic symptoms. The also includes steps of measuring a parameter of an airway at a plurality of locations in a lung, identifying at least one treatment site from at least one of the plurality of locations based on the parameter, and applying energy to the treatment site to reduce the ability of the site to narrow.

1 - 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A method of treating a lung, the method comprising:
 inserting a medical device into an airway of the lung, the medical device including a catheter and a balloon disposed at a distal end of the catheter, wherein a distalmost portion of the catheter extends distally of a distalmost portion of the balloon;   stimulating an airway in the lung by introducing, via a port of the catheter, a pharmacological agent into the airway to constrict the airway;   after stimulating the airway, measuring a constriction of the airway via the balloon;   delivering a fluid to the airway to electrically couple an electrode to tissue surrounding the airway;   applying energy to the tissue, via the electrode and the fluid, to damage nerves disposed radially outward of the airway to reduce the ability of the lung to constrict in response to a stimulus;   conveying the fluid from the airway; and   after applying energy, determining an effectiveness of applying energy by determining whether the lung has a reduced ability to produce at least one symptom of reversible obstructive pulmonary disease.   
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein delivering the fluid to the airway and applying energy to the tissue occur only if the measured constriction is greater than a threshold value. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 41 , further including monitoring electrical impedance of the tissue. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein applying energy to the tissue includes applying RF energy to the tissue. 
     
     
         45 . A method of treating a lung, the method comprising:
 inserting a medical device into an airway of the lung, the medical device including a catheter and a balloon disposed at a distal end of the catheter, wherein a distalmost portion of the catheter extends distally of a distalmost portion of the balloon;   stimulating an airway in the lung;   after stimulating the airway, measuring a parameter of the airway via the balloon; and   applying energy to the tissue to damage nerves disposed radially outward of the airway to reduce the ability of the lung to constrict in response to a stimulus.   
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , further including delivering a fluid to the airway to electrically couple an electrode to tissue surrounding the airway. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein applying energy to the tissue occurs through the electrode and the fluid. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46 , further including conveying the fluid from the airway. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein applying energy only occurs if the measured parameter is greater than a threshold value. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the measured parameter is a contraction of the airway. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein, after applying energy, the method further includes determining an effectiveness of applying energy by determining whether the lung has a reduced ability to produce at least one symptom of reversible obstructive pulmonary disease. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein stimulating the airway includes introducing a pharmacological agent into the airway. 
     
     
         53 . A method of treating a lung, the method comprising:
 stimulating an airway in the lung to constrict the airway;   after stimulating the airway, measuring a parameter of the airway via the balloon;   delivering a fluid to the airway to electrically couple an electrode to tissue surrounding the airway; and   applying energy to the tissue, via the electrode and the fluid, to damage nerves disposed radially outward of the airway to reduce the ability of the lung to constrict in response to a stimulus.   
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , further including conveying the fluid from the airway. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 53 , further including, before stimulating the airway, inserting a medical device into the airway, the medical device including a catheter and a balloon disposed at a distal end of the catheter, wherein a distalmost portion of the catheter extends distally of a distalmost portion of the balloon, and wherein the medical device provides the stimulation. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein stimulating the airway includes introducing, via a port of the catheter, a pharmacological agent into the airway. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein delivering the fluid and applying energy to the tissue occur only if the measured parameter is greater than a threshold value. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the measured parameter is a contractile force of the airway, and wherein the balloon measures the contractile force. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 53 , further including after applying energy, determining an effectiveness of applying energy by determining whether the lung has a reduced ability to produce at least one symptom of reversible obstructive pulmonary disease.