Catheter apparatuses for modulation of nerves in communication with the pulmonary system and associated systems and methods

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods for the selective positioning of an intravascular neuromodulation device are disclosed herein. Such systems can include, for example, an elongated shaft and a therapeutic assembly carried by a distal portion of the elongated shaft. The therapeutic assembly is configured for delivery within a blood vessel. The therapeutic assembly can include a pre-formed shape and can be transformable between a substantially straight delivery configuration; and a treatment configuration having the pre-formed helical shape to position the therapeutic assembly in stable contact with a wall of the body vessel. The therapeutic assembly can also include a mechanical decoupler operably connected to the therapeutic assembly that is configured to absorb at least a portion of a force exerted on the therapeutic assembly by the shaft so that the therapeutic assembly maintains a generally stationary position relative to the target site.

1 - 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 : A non-occlusive catheter comprising:
 an elongated shaft comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion; and   a therapeutic assembly carried by the distal portion, the therapeutic assembly comprising:
 a therapeutic element carried by the distal portion; and 
 at least one expandable balloon attached to the distal portion, wherein, when in a deployed state, the at least one expandable balloon is configured to position the therapeutic element at a desired distance relative to a vessel wall and allow blood flow past the at least one expandable balloon. 
   
     
     
         42 : The non-occlusive catheter of  claim 41 , wherein the at least one expandable balloon comprises a first balloon and a second balloon radially adjacent to the first balloon. 
     
     
         43 : The non-occlusive catheter of  claim 42 , wherein the therapeutic element is within the first balloon. 
     
     
         44 : The non-occlusive catheter of  claim 41 , wherein the at least one expandable balloon comprises a donut-shaped expandable balloon, which, in the deployed state, defines a longitudinally extending opening through which blood can flow. 
     
     
         45 : The non-occlusive catheter of  claim 44 , wherein the longitudinally extending opening radially centrally located. 
     
     
         46 : The non-occlusive catheter of  claim 44 , wherein the therapeutic element is within the donut-shaped expandable balloon. 
     
     
         47 : The non-occlusive catheter of  claim 41 , wherein the therapeutic element comprises an energy delivery element. 
     
     
         48 : The non-occlusive catheter of  claim 47 , wherein the energy delivery element comprises at least one of a radiofrequency electrode, a microwave transducer, an optical transducer, an ultrasound transducer, heating element, or a cryotherapeutic element. 
     
     
         49 : The non-occlusive catheter of  claim 48 , wherein the therapeutic element comprises a substance delivery feature configured to deliver a neuromodulation chemical. 
     
     
         50 : The non-occlusive catheter of  claim 49 , wherein the neuromodulation chemical comprises guanethidine, an alcohol, a phenol, a neurotoxin or an anesthetic agent. 
     
     
         51 : The non-occlusive catheter of  claim 41 , wherein the distal portion and the therapeutic assembly are configured to be positioned in a pulmonary vessel. 
     
     
         52 : A method comprising:
 delivering a therapeutic assembly carried by a distal portion of an elongated shaft of a non-occlusive catheter within a blood vessel;   expanding at least one expandable balloon attached to the distal portion to a deployed state, wherein, when in the deployed state, the at least one expandable balloon is configured to position a therapeutic element of the therapeutic assembly at a desired distance relative to a vessel wall and allow blood flow past the at least one expandable balloon; and   delivering therapy to at least one nerve adjacent the blood vessel using the therapeutic element.   
     
     
         53 : The method of  claim 52 , wherein the at least one expandable balloon comprises a first balloon and a second balloon radially adjacent to the first balloon, and wherein expanding at least one expandable balloon comprises expanding the first balloon and the second balloon. 
     
     
         54 : The method of  claim 53 , wherein the therapeutic element is within the first balloon. 
     
     
         55 : The method of  claim 52 , wherein the at least one expandable balloon comprises a donut-shaped expandable balloon, and wherein expanding at least one expandable balloon comprises expanding the donut-shaped expandable balloon to contact the vessel wall and define a longitudinally extending opening through which blood can flow. 
     
     
         56 : The method of  claim 55 , wherein the longitudinally extending opening radially centrally located. 
     
     
         57 : The method of  claim 55 , wherein the therapeutic element is within the donut-shaped expandable balloon. 
     
     
         58 : The method of  claim 52 , wherein the therapeutic element comprises an energy delivery element, and wherein delivering therapy to the at least one nerve adjacent the blood vessel comprises delivery energy to the at least one nerve adjacent the blood vessel. 
     
     
         59 : The method of  claim 58 , wherein the energy delivery element comprises at least one of a radiofrequency electrode, a microwave transducer, an optical transducer, an ultrasound transducer, heating element, or a cryotherapeutic element. 
     
     
         60 : The method of  claim 59 , wherein the therapeutic element comprises a substance delivery feature configured to deliver a neuromodulation chemical, and wherein delivering therapy to at least one nerve adjacent the blood vessel comprises delivering the neuromodulation chemical to the at least one nerve adjacent the blood vessel.