Inventors:
Mark H. JOHNSTON - Lancaster PA, US
International Classification:
A61B 18/02
Abstract:
Disclosed are methods for the cryoablation treatment of a patients tracheobronchial pulmonary system, such as in the treatment of tracheobronchial lesions and lung cancer. The pulmonary system treatment method employs a specially dimensioned dorsal end catheter system that includes a proximal end suitable to provide for the delivery of a cryogenic material to a desired pulmonary area of interest in a patient. The apparatus includes as a part thereof an endoscope dimensioned so as to be suitable for insertion through a patient's trachea. Provided are tracheobronchial cryoablation methods for treatment of benign airway disease, early lung cancer, sarcoidosis, Wegner's granulomatosis, rhinoscleroma, recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), benign tracheal stenosis, pulmonary dysplasia, neoplasia, vascular lesions, inflammatory lesions and pulmonary and/or tracheal degenerative lesions.