Method of treating airways in the lung

a technology of airways and lung, applied in the field of smooth muscle treatment, can solve the problems of abnormal tissue reactions, increase the inner diameter of the airway, and hyperreactivity of the airway, so as to prevent smooth muscle spasms, reduce the amount of smooth muscle tissue, and increase the inner diameter of the body conduit.

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-01-13
BOSTON SCI SCIMED INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

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Benefits of technology

[0008] The present invention relates to a device and method for treating bodily conduits by application of radiant energy to the smooth muscle tissue of the conduit walls to prevent the smooth muscle tissue from

Problems solved by technology

The hyperreactivity of the airways can result from abnormal tissue reactions in the airways, which may be immunologically induced, or from a biochemical or neurohumoral imbalance of other normally functioning responses.
However, if the smooth muscle is already hypertrophied and enlarged the bronchodilating drugs which cause the muscle to relax do little to increase the airway inner diamete

Method used

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  • Method of treating airways in the lung
  • Method of treating airways in the lung
  • Method of treating airways in the lung

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Embodiment Construction

[0027]FIG. 1 illustrates an energy delivery device 10 for the delivery of light energy to the walls 12 of a body conduit. The energy delivery device 10 includes an outer catheter or sheath 16 surrounding a light transmitting fiber 18. A light directing member 20 is positioned at a distal end of the energy delivery device 10 for directing the light to the conduit walls. Although the present invention will be described in detail with respect to the treatment of airways in the lungs, it should be understood that the present invention may also be used for treatment of other body conduits.

[0028] The energy delivery device 10 and method according to the present invention provide a more permanent treatment for asthma than the currently used bronchodilating drugs and drugs for reducing mucus secretion. In asthma patients, the cross sectional diameter of the airways are reduced due to bulking of the smooth muscle surrounding the airways. FIG. 9 illustrates an airway 50 of a healthy individu...

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Abstract

A device and method for treating bodily conduits involves the application of energy to the smooth muscle tissue of the conduit walls to reduce the bulk of smooth muscle tissue and mucus glands. The irradiation treatment of the smooth muscle tissue causes a reduction in the amount of smooth muscle tissue over time which increases the inner diameter of the body conduit for improved fluid flow and prevents smooth muscle spasms. The treatment is particularly useful in the lungs for treatment of asthma to prevent bronchospasms, increase the airway diameter for improved air exchange, and reduce mucus secretions in the lungs.

Description

[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 095,323 filed Jun. 10, 1998.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to a method and apparatus for treating smooth muscle in the walls of body conduits, and more particularly, the invention relates to a method for treating medical conditions by reducing the bulk of smooth muscle surrounding a body conduit with radiant energy treatment of the smooth muscle. [0003] Asthma is a disease which involves heightened reactivity of the tracheobronchial tree to numerous stimuli causing contraction of smooth muscle surrounding the airways of the lungs. The hyperreactivity of the airways can result from abnormal tissue reactions in the airways, which may be immunologically induced, or from a biochemical or neurohumoral imbalance of other normally functioning responses. In a healthy patient, the smooth muscle surrounding the airways contracts, such as when the patient coughs, to increase the localized airflow through th...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A61N5/06
CPCA61N5/0601A61B2018/00541A61N2005/0604A61N5/1014
Inventor LAUFER, MICHAEL D.
Owner BOSTON SCI SCIMED INC
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