Systems and methods for therapeutic nasal treatment using handheld device
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Publication Number
US-12089889-B2
Publication Date
2024-09-17
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention generally relates to systems and methods for improving sleep by treating at least one of rhinitis, congestion, and/or rhinorrhea to thereby reduce or eliminate symptoms associated therewith, including, but not limited to, nasal congestion, coughing, sneezing, and nasal or throat irritation and itching.
Core Innovation
A method and associated treatment device are described for treating at least one of rhinitis, congestion, and rhinorrhea within a sino-nasal cavity of a patient. The approach advances a multi-electrode end effector into the sino-nasal cavity and delivers energy to one or more target sites within the sino-nasal cavity. The multi-electrode end effector includes a first electrode spaced apart from a second electrode along a length of the multi-electrode end effector, and each electrode includes an active state and an inactive state.
The first electrode is exposed from a surface of the multi-electrode end effector and positioned at a discrete portion so that it extends in a first outward direction to interact with anatomy at a first location within the nasal cavity. The second electrode is exposed from the surface and positioned at a discrete portion so that it extends in a second outward direction to interact with anatomy at a second location within the nasal cavity. Energy is delivered via the first and second electrodes to disrupt multiple neural signals that correspond to mucus producing and/or mucosal engorgement elements.
The described target sites are associated with a posterior nasal nerve and/or an inferior turbinate within the sino-nasal cavity, with the stated purpose of reducing production of mucus and/or mucosal engorgement within the nose. The document further describes adapting to anatomical variability around a sphenopalatine-access region and targeting multiple rami of neural structures rather than a single nerve branch, with the stated goal of reduced collateral tissue damage and long-term symptom relief.
Claims Coverage
The document includes one independent method claim. It is centered on delivering energy via a multi-electrode end effector with first and second exposed electrodes extending in different outward directions to disrupt multiple neural signals at target sites associated with a posterior nasal nerve and/or an inferior turbinate, thereby reducing mucus production and/or mucosal engorgement to improve nasal breathability.
Treating rhinitis, congestion, and rhinorrhea in a sino-nasal cavity by advancing a multi-electrode end effector
Advancing a multi-electrode end effector into the sino-nasal cavity, the multi-electrode end effector operably associated with a shaft of a treatment device and configured for delivering energy to one or more target sites within the sino-nasal cavity.
First and second electrodes with active/inactive states on the multi-electrode end effector
The multi-electrode end effector comprises a first electrode spaced apart from a second electrode along a length of the multi-electrode end effector, each electrode including an active state and an inactive state and a respective location on the multi-electrode end effector.
First and second exposed electrodes extending in different outward directions
The first electrode is exposed from a surface of the multi-electrode end effector and positioned at a discrete portion, the first electrode extending in a first outward direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the shaft to interact with anatomy at a first location; the second electrode is exposed from the surface and positioned at a discrete portion, the second electrode extending in a second outward direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft to interact with anatomy at a second location.
Disrupting multiple neural signals at target sites associated with posterior nasal nerve and/or inferior turbinate
Delivering energy via the first and second electrodes to one or more target sites within the sino-nasal cavity to disrupt multiple neural signals to mucus producing and/or mucosal engorgement elements, thereby reducing production of mucus and/or mucosal engorgement and reducing or eliminating one or more symptoms associated with at least one of rhinitis, congestion, and rhinorrhea to improve nasal breathability, wherein the one or more target sites is associated with a posterior nasal nerve and/or an inferior turbinate.
Across the independent claim, the coverage is focused on multi-electrode energy delivery in a sino-nasal cavity using first and second exposed electrodes with outward-facing orientations, directed to posterior nasal nerve and/or inferior turbinate associated target sites to disrupt multiple neural signals that drive mucus production and/or mucosal engorgement.
Stated Advantages
Reducing production of mucus and/or mucosal engorgement within the nose.
Reducing or eliminating one or more symptoms associated with rhinitis, congestion, and rhinorrhea.
Improving nasal breathability of the patient.
Documented Applications
Treating at least one of rhinitis, congestion, and rhinorrhea within a sino-nasal cavity by disrupting neural signals associated with mucus producing and/or mucosal engorgement elements, with target sites associated with a posterior nasal nerve and/or an inferior turbinate.
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