# US 8,465,486 B2 · Modification of airways by application of energy > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,465,486 B2 - Document ID: US8465486B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/557,485 - Filed: 2012-07-25 - Published: 2013-01-24 - Granted: 2013-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2000-10-17 - Assignees: Asthmatx, Inc. - Applicants: Christopher James Danek; Michael Biggs; Keith M. Burger; Bryan Loomas; Thomas Keast; Dave Haugaard - Inventors: Christopher James Danek; Michael Biggs; Keith M. Burger; Bryan Loomas; Thomas Keast; Dave Haugaard - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8465486B2 ## CPC - A61B 18/1492: {having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation (A61B18/1477 takes precedence)} - A61B 18/1477: {Needle-like probes} - A61N 1/06: for high-frequency therapy - A61N 1/403: {for thermotherapy, e.g. hyperthermia} - A61N 5/00: Radiation therapy (ultrasound therapy A61N7/00; devices or apparatus applicable to both therapy and diagnosis A61B6/00) - A61B 18/08: by means of electrically-heated probes - A61B 2017/00084: {Temperature} - A61B 2017/00123: {and automatic shutdown} - A61B 2018/00214: {Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon} - A61B 2018/0022: {Balloons} - A61B 2018/00267: {having a basket shaped structure} - A61B 2018/00541: {Lung or bronchi} - A61B 2018/00791: {Temperature} - A61B 2018/00982: {combined with or comprising means for visual or photographic inspections inside the body, e.g. endoscopes} - A61B 2018/046: {in liquid form} - A61B 2018/1467: {using more than two electrodes on a single probe} - A61B 2018/1475: {Electrodes retractable in or deployable from a housing} - A61B 2018/1497: {Electrodes covering only part of the probe circumference} - A61B 2090/3614: {using optical fibre} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) ## Abstract Methods and devices for treating reversible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are disclosed, which include a device for delivering energy to a wall of an airway in a human lung. The device includes a flexible elongate body with a proximal portion, a distal portion, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. The device also includes a deployment member having an electrically conducting wire extending from the proximal portion of the elongate body and extending through the lumen and terminating at a distal tip distal to the distal end of the elongate body. The device further includes an expandable basket having a plurality of curved electrode legs and a temperature sensing element coupled to the expandable basket. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for delivering energy to a wall of an airway in a human lung, the device comprising: a flexible elongate body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween; a deployment member having an electrically conducting wire extending from the proximal portion of the elongate body and extending through the lumen and terminating at a distal tip distal to the distal end of the elongate body; an expandable basket having a plurality of curved electrode legs, each of the electrode legs having a first end connected to the distal portion of the elongate body at a proximal joint and a second end connected to the deployment member at a distal joint, the distal joint electrically connecting the wire to each of the electrode legs adjacent to the distal tip, each of the plurality of electrode legs further having an energy insulated region and an energy active region; and a temperature sensing element coupled to the expandable basket. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the energy active region is configured to contact a wall in an air passage in a lung when the basket is moved to an expanded radial configuration. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the wire is arranged to deliver electrical current to the electrode legs which when energized alter the air passage so as to treat asthma. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the temperature sensing element comprises two leads separately coupled to the energy active region. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the active energy region is located midway between first and second energy insulated regions of each electrode leg. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the legs comprise four wire shaped electrodes. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising a reinforcing member coupled to the elongate body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The device of claim 7, wherein the reinforcing member comprises a coiled wire or polymeric insert. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) An energy delivery system comprising: the device of claim 1; and a bronchoscope having a working channel for slidably receiving the device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein a diameter of the working channel is 2 mm or less. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, further comprising a source of energy electrically connected to the electrode legs for the delivery of monopolar or bipolar energy. ### Claim 12 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. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12, wherein each of the electrodes comprise an active energy region located midway between first and second energy insulated regions. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12, further comprising a temperature sensing element having two leads separately coupled to the energy active region. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12, wherein the electrodes comprise four wire shaped electrodes. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12, further comprising a reinforcing member coupled to the elongate body. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12, wherein the reinforcing member comprises a coiled wire or polymeric insert. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) An energy delivery system comprising: the device of claim 12; and a bronchoscope having a working channel for slidably receiving the device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein a diameter of the working channel is 2 mm or less. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, further comprising a source of energy electrically connected to the electrodes for the delivery of monopolar or bipolar energy. ### Claim 21 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.