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Publication Number
US-10575893-B2
Publication Date
2020-03-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
Devices and methods for treating one or more pulmonary diseases while avoiding or minimizing injury to the esophagus and branches of the vagus nerve that run along the outside of the esophagus. The device includes at least one energy delivery element disposed on an elongate member and a means for protecting the esophagus and surrounding tissues, such as esophageal branches of the vagus nerve, during treatment. The energy delivery element is positionable to target at least one nerve in or around the tracheal wall when the elongate member is positioned in the trachea. Energy from the energy delivery element is delivered to the at least one nerve to treat pulmonary symptoms, conditions, and/or diseases, such as asthma, COPD, obstructive lung diseases, or other pulmonary diseases, while the protection means protects the esophagus and surrounding tissues from permanent damage.
Core Innovation
The claimed method treats one or more pulmonary diseases by delivering radiofrequency energy from an energy delivery element positioned in an airway to ablate nerve tissue at a treatment site. This ablation attenuates nervous system signals transmitted to a portion of the bronchial tree to reduce airway constriction. The approach minimizes or prevents damage to surrounding non-target structures during pulmonary treatment.
During energy delivery, the method protects the esophagus, esophageal branches of the vagus nerve, and nearby tissue through moving the esophagus away from the treatment site, reducing power, or dissipating or removing heat. The method simultaneously cools the energy delivery element to protect intervening tissue between the treatment site and the active portion. Expandable and interposed structures provide displacement, separation, or protection.
Claims Coverage
The provided claims identify one independent claim comprising three inventive features.
Airway nerve tissue ablation
The method delivers radiofrequency energy from an energy delivery element positioned in an airway to ablate nerve tissue at a treatment site, attenuating nervous system signals transmitted to a portion of the bronchial tree to reduce airway constriction.
Protection of the esophagus and nearby tissue
Simultaneously with radiofrequency energy delivery, the method protects the esophagus, esophageal branches of the vagus nerve, and nearby tissue by at least one of moving the esophagus away from the treatment site, reducing power to the active portion of the energy delivery element, or dissipating or removing heat.
Cooling of intervening tissue
Simultaneously with radiofrequency energy delivery, the method protects tissue between the treatment site and the active portion of the energy delivery element by cooling the energy delivery element.
Claim 1 combines airway nerve tissue ablation to reduce airway constriction with protection of the esophagus and nearby tissue and cooling of the energy delivery element to protect intervening tissue.
Stated Advantages
Minimizes or prevents permanent damage to the esophagus, esophageal branches of the vagus nerve, and nearby tissue during treatment.
Reduces airway constriction by attenuating nervous system signals transmitted to a portion of the bronchial tree.
Documented Applications
Treatment of one or more pulmonary diseases by ablating nerve tissue at a site in or along an airway to reduce airway constriction.
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