Methods, apparatuses, and systems for the treatment of disease states and disorders

Abstract

Apparatuses, systems and methods are provided for treating pulmonary tissues via delivery of energy, generally characterized by high voltage pulses, to target tissue using a pulmonary tissue modification system (e.g., an energy delivery catheter system). Example pulmonary tissues include, without limitation, the epithelium (the goblet cells, ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelial cells, andbasal cells), lamina propria, submucosa, submucosal glands, basement membrane, smooth muscle, cartilage, nerves, pathogens resident near or within the tissue, or a combination of any of these. The system may be used to treat a variety of pulmonary diseases or disorders such as or associated with COPD (e.g., chronic bronchitis, emphysema), asthma, interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis,bronchiectasis, primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), acute bronchitis and / or other pulmonary diseases or disorders.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.: 62 / 610,430, filed December 26, 2017, entitled "Methods, Apparatuses, and Systems for the Treatment of Pulmonary Disorders," the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Background technique [0003] I. Anatomy [0004] Figure 1 provides an illustration of the anatomy of the lung. Air travels down the trachea T ​​and into the lungs L, where the trachea T ​​branches into multiple airways extending throughout the lungs L. The trachea T ​​first bifurcates into the right and left mainstem bronchi MB at the carina CA. These main bronchi MBs are further divided into lobar bronchi LB, segmental bronchi SB, subsegmental bronchi SSB, and terminate in alveolar A. The diameter of the airway decreases as the airway bifurcates. The trachea T ​​may have a lumen diameter of about 15 mm to 22 mm, the main bronchi MB ma...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0040] Thus, there is an unmet need for more controlled interventions targeting specific structures and / or pathogens matched to pathophysiological abnormalities, capable of treating relatively large surface areas at appropriate depths, and limiting the amount of inflammatory response and remodeling need

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