Animation of Bronchial Thermoplasty (BT) with the Alair® System

The Alair® Bronchial Thermoplasty (BT) System is the first device-based asthma treatment approved by the FDA and has been shown to help adults with severe asthma gain better control of their disease.

BT uses a small, flexible tube (a bronchoscope), that is inserted through the mouth or nose and guided into the lungs. When the bronchoscope reaches the desired airway, a catheter applies controlled energy to the airway wall to reduce the amount of excess airway smooth muscle. A reduction of airway smooth muscle decreases the ability of the airways to constrict, thereby reducing the frequency of asthma attacks and improving patients quality of life.

A typical BT treatment session lasts less than an hour to complete and a total of three treatment sessions is required to treat the entire lung.