Systems and methods for therapeutic nasal neuromodulation
Inventors
Townley, David • Shields, Brian
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12082872-B2
Publication Date
2024-09-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention generally relates to systems and methods for therapeutically modulating nerves in or associated with a nasal region of a patient for the treatment of a rhinosinusitis condition.
Core Innovation
The patent describes systems and methods for treating a condition within a nasal cavity of a patient using a device having a shaft and a multi-segment end effector configured for delivering energy to one or more target sites within the nasal cavity. The multi-segment end effector comprises a proximal segment and a separate distal segment spaced apart from the proximal segment, with each segment transformable between a retracted configuration and an expanded deployed configuration. The proximal and distal segments are deployable to position energy delivery structure at selected nasal sites for treatment.
In the proximal segment, flexible support elements cooperatively form inwardly extending concave shapes relative to a longitudinal axis when the first segment is in the expanded deployed configuration. A first pair of flexible support elements extend in a first outward direction relative to the longitudinal axis and cooperatively form an inwardly extending first concave shape. A second pair of flexible support elements extend in a second outward direction opposing the first outward direction and cooperatively form an inwardly extending second concave shape opposing the first concave shape.
The energy delivery is performed via energy delivering elements arranged on the flexible support elements, including electrodes configured to deliver radiofrequency (RF) energy. The RF energy is associated with modulating postganglionic parasympathetic nerves innervating nasal mucosa along an innervation pathway within the nasal cavity. The described device and method support positioning of the proximal segment at a first target site and delivering energy to tissue at that first target site, with energy delivery structure also associated with a distal segment and corresponding target site.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims provide a device and a method framework that include at least three core inventive features: a nasal-cavity multi-segment end effector with proximal and separate distal segments that each transform between retracted and expanded deployed configurations, a specific proximal-segment geometry using first and second pairs of flexible support elements that cooperatively form opposing inwardly extending concave shapes when deployed, and energy delivery to nasal-cavity target sites using energy delivering elements including electrodes for RF energy.
Multi-segment end effector with retracted and expanded deployed configurations
A shaft and a multi-segment end effector operably coupled thereto, where the multi-segment end effector is configured for delivering energy to one or more target sites within the nasal cavity and comprises a proximal segment and a separate distal segment spaced apart from the proximal segment, each of the proximal and distal segments being transformable between a retracted configuration and an expanded deployed configuration.
Proximal segment with opposing concave concavities from first and second pairs of flexible support elements
The proximal segment comprises a first pair of flexible support elements each comprising one or more energy delivering elements arranged thereon, where the first pair extends in a first outward direction relative to a longitudinal axis and cooperatively form an inwardly extending first concave shape when the first segment is in the expanded deployed configuration; and a second pair of flexible support elements each comprising one or more energy delivering elements arranged thereon, where the second pair extends in a second outward direction opposing the first outward direction and cooperatively form an inwardly extending second concave shape opposing the first concave shape when the first segment is in the expanded deployed configuration.
Advance and deploy proximal segment at a first target site, then deliver energy to tissue
Advancing a device comprising a shaft and a multi-segment end effector with a proximal segment and a separate distal segment spaced apart, each transformable between a retracted configuration and an expanded deployed configuration; deploying the proximal segment at a first target site within the nasal cavity; and delivering energy, via the one or more energy delivering elements arranged on at least one of the first and second pairs of flexible support elements, to tissue at the first target site.
Electrode-delivered RF energy to modulate postganglionic parasympathetic nerves innervating nasal mucosa
Electrodes delivering radiofrequency (RF) energy at a level sufficient to therapeutically modulate postganglionic parasympathetic nerves innervating nasal mucosa at an innervation pathway within the nasal cavity of the patient.
Across the independent claims, the inventive scope centers on a nasal-cavity energy-delivery device with a transformable proximal and separate distal multi-segment end effector, a proximal-segment flexible support element arrangement forming opposing inward concave shapes in the expanded deployed configuration, and a method that deploys the proximal segment at a first target site and delivers energy to tissue at that site, including electrode-delivered RF energy to therapeutically modulate postganglionic parasympathetic nerves innervating nasal mucosa.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
Interested in licensing this patent?