Los Angeles, CA | The Alair System - A New Treatment for Asthma | Dr. Avi Ishaaya Centers

Speaker 1: With normal breathing, the airways of the lungs are fully open as in this cross section of an airway. For a person with asthma, the airway smooth muscle that circles the airway may become thicker than normal. During an asthmatic attack in response to an asthma trigger such as an allergen or irritant, the airway smooth muscle may contract leading to airway narrowing and breathing difficulties.

Speaker 1: During bronchial thermoplasty, a small flexible tube is advanced into the airway through a standard flexible bronchoscope placed through the mouth or nose. No incision is required. The Alair device has an expandable wire basket at the tip. And when it is expanded, the four arms of the basket come in contact with, and fit snugly against the airway wall. The expanded basket will then deliver controlled frequency energy for about 10 seconds to hate the airway smooth muscle.

Speaker 1: About one third of the targeted lung areas are treated during a single session. A total of three procedures are currently needed for complete treatment. Once the treatment session is completed, the device and the bronchoscope are removed. The controlled heat delivered during bronchial thermoplasty is designed to reduce the amount of airway smooth muscle in the airway wall. By reducing the amount of airway smooth muscle, the procedure may reduce the ability of the airway walls to contract and narrow in response to irritation, infection, or inflammation.