Expandable energy delivery devices having flexible conductive elements and associated systems and methods

An energy delivery device for treating an airway in a patient, the energy delivery device comprising:

• an elongated support configured to be passed through a lumen of a scope;
• a compliant inflatable member attached to the elongated support, the compliant inflatable member being configured to move between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration through a range of diameters of at least approximately 2 mm to 10 mm;
• and
• an expandable electrode carried by the inflatable member, wherein the expandable electrode comprises a binder and a conductive material dispersed in the binder.

An energy delivery device for treating an airway in a patient, the energy delivery device comprising:

• an elongated support configured to be passed through a lumen of a scope;
• a compliant inflatable member attached to the elongated support, wherein the inflatable member is configured to move between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration;
• and
• a stretchable electrode deposited directly on the inflatable member, wherein the stretchable electrode is configured to increase in length as the inflatable member moves from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration.

An energy delivery device for use in a body passageway, the energy delivery device comprising:

• an elongated body having a proximal portion and a distal portion;
• and
• an energy delivery unit at the distal portion of the elongated body, wherein the energy delivery unit comprises:
• a compliant inflatable member moveable between a retracted configuration and an expanded configuration;
• and
• one or more elongatable conductive elements disposed on an outer surface of the inflatable member, wherein the one or more conductive elements are positioned to contact a treatment area within the passageway when the inflatable member is in the expanded configuration.

A method for treating asthma, the method comprising:

• inserting an energy delivery unit into an airway in a lung of a patient, the energy delivery unit including a compliant inflatable member attached to a distal portion of an elongated support and a flexible conductive element carried by the inflatable member, wherein the flexible conductive element is configured to expand and contract with the inflatable member as the inflatable member moves between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration;
• expanding the inflatable member such that the flexible conductive element contacts a wall of the airway;
• and
• delivering RF energy to the wall of the airway via the flexible conductive element in a bipolar manner.