Compact delivery pulmonary treatment systems and methods for improving pulmonary function
Inventors
Mayse, Martin L. • Dimmer, Steven • Deem, Mark • Streeter, John • Kaveckis, Ryan • Harshman, Edward S.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12708440-B2
Publication Date
2026-08-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
A pulmonary treatment system includes a compact configuration for delivery to a first airway of a patient. An energy delivery system of the pulmonary treatment system delivers energy to target tissue in or along an airway wall of the first airway to reduce airway resistance in a second airway distal to the first airway. The pulmonary treatment system protects tissue in the airway wall of the first airway located between the target tissue and the energy delivery system by at least one of thermodynamically cooling, circulating a liquid coolant through the pulmonary treatment system, and shielding a portion of the energy delivery system.
Core Innovation
The pulmonary treatment system includes a nerve modification assembly configured to assume a reduced profile for passage through a lumen of an elongate device and a treatment configuration for treatment of an airway. An energy delivery portion generates heat energy in the airway wall to ablate nerve tissue along the airway. Concurrently, a cooling portion removes heat energy from the airway wall while heat is generated.
In the treatment configuration, the cooling portion includes an inflatable member and a fluid delivery conduit extending at least partially around a circumference of the inflatable member. An elongate, arcuate, flexible electrode has a convex, electrically conductive tissue-facing side partially covered by an electrically insulating mask. This arrangement defines electrically conductive and electrically insulating tissue contact regions configured to attenuate airway nerve signaling and reduce distal airway resistance.
Claims Coverage
The claims identify one independent claim, claim 1, comprising four inventive features covering a pulmonary treatment system.
Reduced-profile nerve modification assembly
The assembly is configured to assume a reduced profile for passage through a lumen of an elongate device having a diameter less than about 6.0 millimeters, and to assume a treatment configuration for treatment of the airway.
Heat delivery with concurrent cooling
The energy delivery portion generates heat energy in the airway wall to ablate nerve tissue along the airway, while the cooling portion removes heat energy from the airway wall during heat generation.
Inflatable member and fluid delivery conduit
In the treatment configuration, the cooling portion includes an inflatable member and a fluid delivery conduit extending at least partially around a circumference of the inflatable member.
Masked arcuate flexible electrode
The energy delivery member includes an elongate, arcuate, flexible electrode coupled to a portion of the fluid delivery conduit, having a convex, electrically conductive tissue-facing side joined to an inflatable-member-facing side and an adhered flexible electrically insulating mask defining at least one electrically conductive tissue contact region and at least one electrically insulating tissue contact region.
The independent claim combines a treatment-configurable assembly with airway-wall heating and concurrent cooling, an inflatable-member fluid delivery conduit arrangement, and a masked flexible arcuate electrode defining conductive and insulating contact regions.
Stated Advantages
The compact delivery profile is described as improving delivery through a flexible bronchoscope.
Differential pressure and compliant cooling members are described as improving apposition, cooling, and ventilation.
An embodiment with axially offset electrodes is described as avoiding vulnerable airway regions.
Documented Applications
Treatment of an airway to ablate nerve tissue along the airway, with the stated intended outcome of attenuating airway nerve signaling and reducing distal airway resistance.
Application to other anatomical sites and delivery approaches, as stated in the description without further specification in the supplied content.
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