Modification of airways by application of energy

An energy delivery device for transferring energy to an airway wall in a lung, the device comprising:

• a flexible elongate body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a lumen extending therebetween, and a size suitable to enter a bronchus or bronchiole of a human lung;
• a plurality of curved expandable electrodes attached to the distal end of the elongate member and terminating at a distal tip;
• and
• a deployment member extending between the proximal portion of the elongate body and the distal tip, the deployment member configured to move the electrodes between a collapsed and an expanded radial configuration, wherein each of the electrodes are configured to contact a wall of the bronchus or bronchiole when in the expanded radial configuration, the deployment member having a wire and being arranged to deliver electrical current to the electrodes which when energized alter the bronchus or bronchiole wall so as to treat asthma.

A device for delivering radio frequency energy to an airway wall of a human lung so as to treat asthma, the device comprising:

• a catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a size suitable for insertion within an airway of a human lung;
• two or more curved radio frequency electrodes disposed at a distal end of the catheter body, the electrodes being configured to contact the lung airway wall when in an expanded radial configuration, wherein each of the two or more curved radio frequency electrodes are connected to one another at a distal joint, and wherein the distal joint is electrically coupled to an energy source;
• and
• a thermocouple coupled to the electrodes, wherein the thermocouple provides feedback of tissue temperature so as to ensure sufficient energy transfer to the airway wall of the lung so as to treat asthma.