APPARATUS FOR TREATING AIRWAYS IN THE LUNG
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.
1 . An energy emitting device for treatment of a hyper-reactive airway in a human lung, the device comprising:
an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end configured to be inserted into a human lung; and
a source of energy for emitting energy from the elongate body at a wavelength and intensity which, when applied to a wall of a hyper-reactive airway causes a change in smooth muscle tissue so as to prevent the airway from contracting.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the source of energy comprises:
a light transmitting fiber extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the elongate body; and
a light directing member positioned at a distal end of the elongate body for diffusing or redirecting the light from the light transmitting fiber in a substantially radial pattern from the distal end of the elongate body.
3 . The device of claim 2 , wherein the wavelength is in a range from about 240 nm to about 280 nm.
4 . The device of claim 2 , wherein the wavelength is in a red visible range.
5 . The device of claim 2 , wherein the light directing member includes a substantially conical reflective surface which redirects light from the light transmitting fiber in a direction away from a longitudinal axis of the fiber.
6 . The device of claim 5 , wherein the reflective surface comprises a concave, substantially planar, or substantially parabolic cross section.
7 . The device of claim 2 , wherein the light directing member includes a diffusing lens which directs light from the transmitting fiber in a direction away from a longitudinal axis of the fiber.
8 . The device of claim 2 , wherein the light transmitting fiber is surrounded by a sheath for delivery to the airway.
9 . The device of claim 8 , wherein the sheath includes a distal section which is transparent to the energy emitted by the light source.
10 . The device of claim 8 , wherein the sheath includes a distal section comprising a plurality of windows that are transparent to the energy emitted by the light source to allow the light which has been redirected by the light directing member to exit the sheath.
11 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the source of energy comprises:
a light transmitting fiber extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the elongate body; and
a plurality of light directing members positioned at a distal end of the elongate body for redirecting the light from the light transmitting fiber in a substantially radial pattern which selectively exposes a length or an inner circumference of the airway wall.
12 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the source of energy emits energy at the wavelength and intensity which, when applied to the airway crosslinks DNA in smooth muscle cells surrounding the airway and prevents the smooth muscle cells from replicating.
13 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the source of energy comprises a radioactive pellet positioned at the distal end of the elongate body.
14 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the source of energy comprises a radioactive pellet which is movable longitudinally within the elongate body.
15 . An asthma treatment system for emitting light to a wall of an airway in a human lung, the system comprising:
an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end configured to be inserted into a human lung; and
a laser source capable of emitting light from the distal end of the elongate body and at an intensity which, when applied to a wall of an airway reduces smooth muscle tissue so as to treat asthma.
16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the elongate body further comprises a light directing member located at the distal end of the elongate member and coupled to the laser source, wherein the light directing member comprises a reflective surface that directs the light in a substantially radial pattern from the distal end of the elongate body.
17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the reflective surface is parabolic so that the radially directed light diverges.
18 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the reflective surface is concave so that the radially directed light converges.
19 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the reflective surface diffuses light from the distal end of the elongate body.
20 . The system of claim 16 , further comprising a sheath having a distal section comprising a plurality of windows that are transparent to the energy emitted by the laser source to allow the light which has been redirected by the light directing member to exit the sheath.
21 . An energy emitting device for treatment of an airway in a human lung, the device comprising:
an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end configured to be inserted into a human lung; and
a source of energy for emitting energy from the elongate body at a wavelength and intensity which, when applied to a wall of an airway causes a change in smooth muscle tissue so as to prevent the smooth muscle tissue from replicating.