Bronchial stenter having expandable electrodes
US6283988A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 1, 1999 |
| Grant date | Sep 4, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 1, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2018/1807
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method are provided for treating collapsed bronchial tubes found in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, such as asthma. The apparatus delivers energy to inductively heat the tissue of the bronchial tube by directing electromagnetic energy into the tissue. The apparatus includes expandable electrodes that come into contact with the walls of the bronchial tubes. The expandable electrodes may be conical-shaped electrodes, loop-shaped electrodes, plate-shaped electrodes, or other shapes. The method includes heating the bronchial tube to cause tissue in the wall of the bronchial tube to undergo a structural transformation effective to render the wall capable of supporting a non-collapsed lumen. The procedure effectively reinforces the structural integrity of the bronchial tube wall and thereby prevents the lumen from collapsing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.