Systems and methods for impairing smooth muscle tissue function

Abstract

Systems and methods for impairing smooth muscle tissue function using energy and/or pressure are described herein. The systems and/or methods may be used in some embodiments to target smooth muscle tissue in the bronchial passages.

1 . A system for impairing the smooth muscle tissue of a bodily lumen, the system comprising:
 an elongated sheath having a proximal end and a distal end;   a first balloon disposed on the sheath at the distal end thereof;   a second balloon disposed on the sheath distal to the first balloon such that the first and second balloons isolate an internal volume therebetween when the first and second balloons are inflated against a wall lining a bodily lumen;   a fluid source at the proximal end of the sheath;   wherein the sheath includes a fluid delivery port between the first and second balloons;   wherein the sheath includes a delivery lumen through which the fluid source supplies fluid through the sheath to the fluid delivery port;   an energy source at the proximal end of the sheath; and   an electrode operably connected to the energy source and that supplies energy received therefrom;   wherein the electrode is disposed on the sheath between the first and second balloons such that, when the first and second balloons are inflated against a wall lining a bodily lumen and the fluid source delivers fluid through the delivery port to the isolated volume, energy supplied by the electrode is transferred through the fluid in the isolated volume to the wall lining the bodily lumen.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath further includes a return lumen different than the delivery lumen for removing fluid from the isolated volume. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional electrode operably connected to the energy source and disposed on the sheath between the first and second balloons. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional electrode operably connected to the energy source, wherein at least one of the first and second balloons includes the at least one additional electrode. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one additional electrode is etched into the at least one balloon. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath further includes a bypass lumen for communicating bodily fluids therethrough when the first and second balloons are inflated against the wall lining the bodily lumen. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid supplied by the fluid source includes a smooth muscle relaxant. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid source includes a peristaltic pump. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor on the distal end of the shaft. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the energy source comprises a DC electrical source. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the energy source comprises an RF energy source. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the energy source comprises an ultrasonic energy source. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the energy source comprises a microwave energy source. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the energy source comprises a vibration energy source. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the energy source comprises an AC electrical source. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the energy source comprises a laser. 
     
     
         17 . A method of impairing the smooth muscle tissue of a bodily lumen, the method comprising:
 inserting an elongated sheath having a proximal end and a distal end into a bodily lumen;   wherein the sheath includes:
 a first balloon disposed on the sheath at the distal end thereof; 
 a second balloon disposed on the sheath distal to the first balloon; 
 a fluid delivery port between the first and second balloons; 
 a delivery lumen through which fluid is supplied through the sheath to the fluid delivery port; and 
 an electrode disposed between the first and second balloons; 
   inflating the first and second balloons against a wall lining the bodily lumen such that the first and second balloons isolate an internal volume therebetween;   delivering fluid through the delivery port to the isolated volume; and   supplying energy to the electrode such that the energy is transferred through the fluid in the isolated volume to the wall lining the bodily lumen.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath further includes a return lumen different than the delivery lumen for removing fluid from the isolated volume. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of delivering fluid through the delivery port comprises delivering the fluid via a peristaltic pump. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath further includes a bypass lumen for communicating bodily fluids therethrough when the first and second balloons are inflated against the wall lining the bodily lumen. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid delivered through the delivery port to the isolated volume includes a smooth muscle relaxant.