thermoplasty

Bronchial thermoplasty is done in three separate treatments, each focusing on different sections of the lungs.

New Surgery to Treat Asthma Melinda Beck 2010

Since bronchial thermoplasty is so new, few insurers cover it yet.

New Surgery to Treat Asthma Melinda Beck 2010

The thermoplasty device, called the Alair System, travels inside the bronchoscope and has an array of electrodes on its tip that extends and expands to contact the airway walls.

New Surgery to Treat Asthma Melinda Beck 2010

Some asthma sufferers may be too sick to for bronchial thermoplasty.

New Surgery to Treat Asthma Melinda Beck 2010

Since there are no nerves inside the airways, bronchial thermoplasty isn't painful.

New Surgery to Treat Asthma Melinda Beck 2010

National Jewish is one of about 30 medical centers in the U.S. currently offering bronchial thermoplasty, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in April.

New Surgery to Treat Asthma Melinda Beck 2010

Experts do caution that bronchial thermoplasty isn't for patients with mild, occasional asthma — only those who are taking all possible medications and still having symptoms.

New Surgery to Treat Asthma Melinda Beck 2010

Last summer, he heard about a new procedure called bronchial thermoplasty that opens constricted airways permanently.

New Surgery to Treat Asthma Melinda Beck 2010

& Amplifications A photo showing a bronchial thermoplasty procedure that accompanied the continuation of Tuesday's Health Journal column was taken at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View, Calif.

Corrections 2010

Bronchial thermoplasty uses radiofrequency waves to shrink the smooth muscle itself, a new approach to treating asthma symptoms.

New Surgery to Treat Asthma Melinda Beck 2010