Method for treating a lung
An embodiment of the disclosure includes a method for treating a lung. The method may include inserting a cooling element into an airway of the lung; and damaging tissue disposed radially outward of surface tissue defining the airway via the cooling element.
1. A method of treating a lung, the method comprising:
inserting a cooling element into an airway within the lung;
damaging nerve tissue disposed radially outward of surface tissue defining the airway via the cooling element; and
damaging the surface tissue defining the airway.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cooling element is a cryoprobe.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cooling element extends from a proximal end toward a distal end, and wherein the distal end of the cooling element has a larger radial dimension than a portion of the cooling element that is proximal to the distal end.
4. The method of claim 1 , further including positioning the cooling element to contact the surface tissue.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein damaging nerve tissue includes reducing the volume of nerve tissue or eliminating nerve tissue.
6. The method of claim 1 , further including reducing the volume of smooth muscle tissue or eliminating smooth muscle tissue.
7. A method of treating a lung, the method comprising: absorbing heat from nerve tissue of the lung to reduce the volume of the nerve tissue, wherein the heat is absorbed by a cooling element disposed within an airway of the lung, and
damaging smooth muscle tissue.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the cooling element is a cryoprobe.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the nerve tissue includes nerve tissue disposed radially outward of surface tissue defining the airway.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the nerve tissue is eliminated.
11. A method of treating a lung, the method comprising:
inserting a cooling element into an airway of the lung; and
absorbing heat from the lung to damage nerve tissue along the airway and increase a diameter of the airway.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein damaging the nerve tissue reduces a resting tone of lung smooth muscle.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the nerve tissue is disposed radially outward of surface tissue defining the airway.