Feasibility Study of the Pulsed Electric Field Ablation System in Treating Chronic Bronchitis

To preliminarily evaluate the safety and feasibility of the pulsed electric field ablation system independently developed by Zhouling (Shanghai) Medical Appliance Co., Ltd. in the treatment of chronic bronchitis.

Pulsed electric field ablation instrument is a therapeutic instrument based on the irreversible electroporation (IRE) mechanism. The high frequency short duration energy is delivered via a disposable pulse ablation catheter through the bronchoscope and act on the bronchial mucosa, through which goblet cell hyperplasia and airway mucus secretion will be alleviated.

The entire treatment consists of two procedure sessions that will be performed one month apart. The first treatment procedure consists of a baseline biopsy of the airway mucosa followed by the treatment of the right lung. The second procedure (one month after right-sided lung treatment) consists of a biopsy of the treated airway, followed by the treatment of the left lung. All procedures will be performed under general anaesthesia. Treatment is considered complete once the two bronchoscopic ablation procedures are successfully completed.

A third bronchoscopy will be performed three months following the first treatment where mucosa-biopsy will be taken from the previously treated airway sites to evaluate the histopathological evidence of change in mucus producing cells within the airway after treatment. Subjects will be required to fill questionnaire (SGRQ and CAT ) and complete several examinations (including chest CT scans, respiratory function tests, etc.) during follow-up.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Subject's age is ≥35 years and ≤80 years;
2. Subject has chronic bronchitis, defined as productive cough for at least three months in each of two successive years, whereas other causes of productive cough have been ruled out.
3. Subject has a CAT score ≥ 10.
4. Subject has a SGRQ score ≥ 25.
5. Subject's responses to the first two questions of the CAT questionnaire sum to ≥ 7 points or the sum is 6 points and the subject's total CAT score is \> 20 points.
6. Subject has post -bronchodilator FEV1/FVC \< 0.7.
7. Subject has post-bronchodilator FEV1 percent predicted of ≥ 30%.
8. Subject is receiving guideline directed pharmacotherapy which includes one or more long-acting bronchodilator (LAMA, LABA) with or without an inhaled corticosteroid for at least 8 weeks prior to randomization, unless the patient has attempted such therapy within the past 1 year without significant clinical response or had an adverse reaction.
9. Subject has a cigarette smoking history of at least ten pack years, and has had quit smoking for at least 6 months before enrollment (cigarettes, e-cigarettes, etc.), and agreed to remain non-smoking during the study;
10. In the opinion of the investigator, subject is able to undergo 3 bronchoscopies under general anesthesia (including mucosal biopsy), is willing to participate in the study, and is able to follow the study follow-up plan.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Subject has known unresolved lower respiratory tract infection (e.g., pneumonia, mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection (MAI), fungus, tuberculosis, etc).
2. Subject has a steroid-dependent condition requiring \>10 mg of oral corticosteroid per day.
3. Subject has any implantable electronic device (e.g., pacemaker, cardioverter defibrillator) that cannot be turned off during the procedure.
4. Subject has a history of ventricular tachy-arrhythmia or clinically significant atrial tachyarrhythmia within the past two years, unless the arrhythmia has been treated and/or patient is in regular rhythm during the screening phase.
5. Subject has unresolved lung cancer.
6. Subject has a pulmonary nodule or cavity that in the judgement of the investigator may require intervention during the course of the study.
7. Subject had prior lung surgery, such as lung transplant, LVRS, lobectomy, lung implant/prosthesis, metal airway stent, valves, coils or bullectomy, etc. Previous sub-lobectomy, previous history of pneumothorax but no pneumonectomy, previous pleural disease but no surgical intervention are not the exclusion criteria;
8. Subject has emphysema of greater than or equal to 50% as quantified on baseline HRCT scan (low attenuation area less than -950HU) as determined by the CT.
9. Subjects had a history of asthma diagnosed at an age \< 30.
10. Subject has clinically significant bronchiectasis which clinical symptoms of cough and phlegm affect the subject's quality of life.
11. BMI\<18 or \> 35;
12. Subject has a serious medical condition that, in the investigator's opinion, could endanger the patient's life or compromise patient safety or confound the interpretation of the patient's response to therapy (e.g., congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, or myocardial infarction in the past year, renal failure, liver disease cerebrovascular accident within the past 6 months, uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c \>8%), uncontrolled hypertension (diastolic BP \>100mmHg) or autoimmune disease requiring treatment with immunosuppressant medications or a disease requiring chemotherapy).
13. Subject has uncontrolled GERD.
14. Subjects are known to have contraindications for bronchoscopy or general anesthesia, or to be allergic to related medications (i.e., lidocaine, atropine, benzodiazepines) and unable to respond to medications.
15. Subject is pregnant, nursing, or planning to get pregnant during study duration.
16. Subject is currently participating in another clinical study involving an investigational product (with interventional measures).