Lung treatment
The invention relates to methods and system for locally treating a wound (for example, ARDS) of a lung tissue, or mediastinum condition, comprising choosing a target in said tissue requiring treatment; insertion trans-bronchial catheter with mini-ultrasonic therapeutic transducers as close as possible to the target; calibrating contact, calibrating position and irradiating said target with therapeutic ultrasonic waves. Optionally, also providing treatment using phonophoresis and iontophoresis for local administration of drugs into the wound.
1. A catheter system for treating a wound, comprising:
a. at least one catheter comprising proximal end and a distal end; said distal end comprising:
i. one or more ultrasonic transmitters;
ii. an inflatable balloon covering said one or more ultrasonic transmitters; said inflatable balloon comprising a first electrode located at a proximal location of said inflatable balloon and a second electrode located at a distal location of said inflatable balloon;
iii. a plurality of a first type of openings located on a surface of said balloon; said location of said first type of openings being co-located to a location of said one or more ultrasonic transmitters on said catheter;
iv. a plurality of a second type of openings located on a surface of said balloon; said location of said second type of openings being co-located to a location of said first electrode.
2. The catheter system according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one liquid configured to inflate said inflatable balloon.
3. The catheter system according to claim 2 , wherein said at least one liquid comprises at least one drug.
4. The catheter system according to claim 2 , wherein said at least one liquid is saline.
5. The catheter system according to claim 1 , further comprising one or more controls located at said proximal end of said catheter device and configured to control a movement of said distal end of said catheter device.
6. The catheter system according to claim 1 , further comprising a video camera located at most distal end of said catheter device.
7. The catheter system according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one catheter is configured to provide phonophoresis treatment.
8. The catheter system according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one catheter is configured to provide iontophoresis treatment.
9. The catheter system according to claim 1 , further comprising an external unit to which said at least one catheter is connected, said external unit comprising:
a. a video unit comprising a navigation system, configured for manipulating said at least one catheter and provide visualization means from said video camera to a user;
b. an electric field unit configured for generating an interference field;
c. an ultrasonic unit configured to generate ultrasonic waves from about 0.5 MHZ to about 3 MHz, with a power up to 2 watts per cm 2 ;
d. a calibration unit configured for specifying a attenuation coefficient in different locations and further configured for determining the optimal localization of said one or more ultrasonic transmitters;
e. a pressure unit configured for maintaining and monitoring a pressure in said balloon;
f. a phonophoresis pharmaceutical unit configured for monitoring and administering said at least one drug during phonophoresis treatment;
g. a iontophoresis pharmaceutical unit configured for monitoring and administering said at least one drug during iontophoresis treatment.
10. The catheter system according to claim 9 , wherein said electric field unit is configured to provide current to a first catheter at a first frequency and to provide current to a second catheter at a second frequency.
11. The catheter system according to claim 10 , wherein said first frequency is of about 4000 Hz and said second frequency is from about 4100 Hz to about 4500 Hz.
12. The catheter system according to claim 9 , wherein said electric field unit is configured to provide electrical current which does not exceed 13 milliamps.