Thoracoscopic methods for treatment of bronchial disease

Abstract

A method and apparatus for treatment of pulmonary conditions, including a device having an end effector sized and shaped to contact a nerve component on the exterior of a bronchial segment and apply energy to that nerve component.

1 .- 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus for treating pulmonary disease comprising:
 (a) an energy source;   (b) an extended body having a proximal end and a distal end;   (c) an end effector at the distal end, wherein the end effector is sized and shaped to be passed into a thoracic cavity of a patient and to contact a nerve component located on at least a portion of a bronchial segment and apply energy from the energy source to an exterior surface of the bronchial segment to treat the nerve component, the end effector comprising:
 (i) a first contact component that includes a first electrical contact surface located on an interior surface of the first contact component, and 
 (ii) a second contact component that includes a second electrical contact surface located on the interior surface of the second contact component; and 
   (d) a hinge configured to allow the first and second contact components to be articulated with respect to one another.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the extended body extends along a longitudinal axis, wherein the hinge is disposed on the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the first and second contact components have semi-circular-shapes that align to form a central pathway and sized to contain the bronchial segment therewithin. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the first and second electrical contact surfaces each include a soft or pliable surface. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the first and second electrical contact surfaces each comprise a material to conform to the exterior surface of the bronchial segment. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the apparatus is configured to be compressed so as to be inserted into the thoracic cavity of the patient through a catheter or a delivery port. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the end effector is compressed to a reduced diameter when inserted through the catheter or the delivery port and expands upon exit from the catheter or the delivery port. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the end effector is spring-loaded, wherein the end effector is configured to be compressed when the distal end is inserted into a trocar, and wherein the end effector is configured to spring open when the end effector exits through a distal end of the trocar. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the end effector substantially surrounds the exterior surface of the bronchial segment. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the application of energy results in increased temperature, and the temperature is about 65° C. or higher. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein one or both of the first and second contact components comprises nitinol. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , a handle configured to be grasped by a user, wherein the handle includes a trigger, wherein the extended body is coupled with and extends distally from the handle. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the first contact component includes a first bladder containing heated fluid, wherein the second contact component includes a second bladder containing heated fluid. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the end effector extends from a distal most tip of the distal end of the extended body. 
     
     
         34 . An apparatus for treating pulmonary disease comprising:
 (a) an energy source;   (b) an extended body having a proximal end and a distal end;   (c) an end effector at the distal end, wherein the end effector is configured contact a nerve component located on at least a portion of a bronchial segment and apply energy from the energy source to an exterior surface of the bronchial segment to treat the nerve component, the end effector comprising:
 (i) a first arcuate contact component that includes a first arcuate electrical contact surface located on an interior surface of the first arcuate contact component, and 
 (ii) a second arcuate contact component that includes a second arcuate electrical contact surface located on the interior surface of the second arcuate contact component; and 
   (d) a hinge configured to allow the first and second arcuate contact components to be articulated with respect to one another.   
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the extended body extends along a longitudinal axis, wherein the hinge is located on the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         36 . An apparatus for treating pulmonary disease comprising:
 (a) an energy source;   (b) a handle configured to be grasped by a user, wherein the handle includes a trigger;   (c) a shaft coupled with and extending distally from the handle, wherein the shaft has a proximal end and a distal end;   (d) an end effector at the distal end, wherein the end effector is configured contact a nerve component located on at least a portion of a bronchial segment and apply energy from the energy source to an exterior surface of the bronchial segment to treat the nerve component, the end effector comprising:
 (i) a first contact component that includes a first electrical contact surface located on an interior surface of the first contact component, and 
 (ii) a second contact component that includes a second electrical contact surface located on the interior surface of the second contact component; and 
   (e) a hinge configured to allow the first and second contact components to be articulated with respect to one another.   
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein the first and second contact components are arcuate, wherein the first and second electrical contact surfaces are arcuate, and wherein the first and second electrical contact surfaces are configured to be compressed to form a substantially circular or elliptical shape around the exterior surface of the bronchial segment. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 36 , further comprising an extended body that extends along a longitudinal axis, wherein the hinge is located on the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein the hinge allows for independent rotation of one of the first and second contact components of the end effector about a hinge point disposed along a longitudinal axis of the shaft.