Method and apparatus for performance of thermal bronchioplasty to reduce COVID-19-induced respiratory distress and treat COVID-19-damaged distal lung regions

摘要

Apparatus and methods for deactivating pulmonary nerves extending along the main bronchi of a mammalian subject to reduce ARDS effects by advancing an ultrasound transducer into the right and subsequently left main bronchus. The ultrasound transducer emits circumferential ultrasound so as to heat a circumferential tissue volume encompassing the right and left main bronchus. The energy of <10 W acoustic for <5 sec will not be sufficient to cause tissue necrosis but sufficient to inactivate nerve conduction. This treatment can be performed without locating or focusing on individual pulmonary nerves.