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 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A method of treating a lung, the method comprising:
 stimulating tissue surrounding an airway of the lung to constrict the airway, using a medical device including a catheter, a balloon disposed at a distal end of the catheter, and an electrode, by contacting the tissue with a pharmacological agent to induce constriction of the airway;   after stimulating the tissue, measuring a parameter of the airway;   identifying a treatment site based on the measured parameter by selecting the contacted tissue to receive energy from the electrode;   delivering a liquid to the airway to electrically couple the electrode to the contacted tissue;   applying energy to the contacted tissue from the electrode, through the liquid, to damage nerve tissue; and   after applying energy to the contacted tissue, determining an effectiveness of applying energy to the contacted tissue by determining whether the contacted tissue has a reduced ability to respond to a stimulus.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein measuring the parameter is performed with the medical device. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein applying energy includes applying RF energy. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the medical device includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced electrodes. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the pharmacological agent is a bronchoconstricting agent. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the bronchoconstricting agent is histamine or methacholine. 
     
     
         35 . A method of treating a lung, the method comprising:
 delivering a liquid to an airway of the lung, via a medical device including a catheter and an electrode, to electrically couple the electrode to tissue surrounding the airway; and   applying energy from the electrode, through the liquid, to damage the tissue.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the medical device further includes an expandable balloon. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , further including:
 stimulating the tissue surrounding the airway in the lung to constrict the airway,   after stimulating the tissue, measuring a parameter of the airway;   identifying a treatment site based on the measured parameter, wherein the energy is applied to the treatment site.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein:
 stimulating the tissue includes contacting the tissue with a pharmacological agent to induce constriction of the airway; and   identifying the treatment site includes selecting the contacted tissue to receive energy from the electrode.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein stimulating the tissue includes electrically stimulating the tissue, mechanically stimulating the tissue, or stimulating the tissue by delivering a pharmacological agent to the tissue. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 35 , 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. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein damaging tissue of the lung includes damaging nerve tissue. 
     
     
         42 . A method of treating a lung, the method comprising:
 contacting tissue surrounding an airway of the lung with an agent to induce constriction of the airway, wherein the medical device includes a catheter, a balloon disposed at a distal end of the catheter, and an electrode;   after contacting the tissue, measuring a parameter of the airway;   identifying a treatment site based on the measured parameter by selecting the contacted tissue to receive energy from the electrode;   delivering an electrically-conductive liquid to the airway;   applying energy to the contacted tissue from the electrode, through the liquid, to damage nerve tissue; and   after applying energy to the contacted tissue, determining an effectiveness of applying energy to the contacted tissue.   
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein measuring the parameter is performed with the medical device. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein applying energy includes applying RF energy. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the medical device includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced electrodes. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the pharmacological agent is a bronchoconstricting agent. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the bronchoconstricting agent is histamine or methacholine. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the parameter is constriction of the airway.