The FDA has recently cleared “Alair®” a bronchial thermoplasty device developed by Asthmatx. Severe asthmatics may benefit from a new technique that “melts away” thickened muscle fibers in the airways of asthma sufferers. Once a patient is sedated a special bronchoscope is inserted into the lungs. Tiny wires emit radio waves that generate heat to 149F, but the surrounding tissue is not injured. This minimally invasive bronchoscopic procedure is performed in three outpatient procedure visits, each treating a different area of the lungs and scheduled approximately three weeks apart. After all three procedures are performed, the bronchial thermoplasty treatment is complete. Severe asthmatics who have been resistant to current therapies and high dose steroids may benefit from this new pioneering technology.