Apparatus and methods for treating rhinitis
First Claim
1. A cryogenic probe for treating rhinitis, the probe comprising:
- a probe shaft having a distal end and a proximal end;
a planar member defining a flattened shape disposed at the distal end of the probe shaft, the planar member having an elongate structure with arcuate edges to define an atraumatic surface when the distal end of the probe shaft is advanced through a nasal cavity of a patient and positioned within a lateral nasal wall tissue region having at least one nasal nerve associated with a middle or inferior nasal turbinate, wherein the planar member is configured to transmit lateral pressure against the nasal wall tissue region;
an expandable structure surrounding the planar member and coupled to the distal end of the probe shaft, wherein the expandable structure is inflatable from a deflated configuration to an expanded configuration;
a cryogenic fluid source coupled to the proximal end of the probe shaft; and
a lumen disposed in the probe shaft and in fluid communication with the cryogenic fluid source and an interior of the expandable structure, wherein the cryogenic probe is configured to cryogenically ablate the at least one nasal nerve when cryogenic fluid from the cryogenic fluid source is introduced into the interior of the expandable structure via the lumen and the expandable structure in the expanded configuration is in contact against the lateral nasal wall tissue region.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for treating conditions such as rhinitis are disclosed herein where a distal end of a probe shaft is introduced through the nasal cavity where the distal end has an end effector with a first configuration having a low-profile which is shaped to manipulate tissue within the nasal cavity. The distal end may be positioned into proximity of a tissue region having a post nasal nerve associated with a middle or inferior nasal turbinate. Once suitably positioned, the distal end may be reconfigured from the first configuration to a second configuration which is shaped to contact and follow the tissue region and the post nasal nerve may then be ablated via the distal end. Ablation may be performed using various mechanisms, such as cryotherapy, and optionally under direct visualization.
273 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A cryogenic probe for treating rhinitis, the probe comprising:
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a probe shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; a planar member defining a flattened shape disposed at the distal end of the probe shaft, the planar member having an elongate structure with arcuate edges to define an atraumatic surface when the distal end of the probe shaft is advanced through a nasal cavity of a patient and positioned within a lateral nasal wall tissue region having at least one nasal nerve associated with a middle or inferior nasal turbinate, wherein the planar member is configured to transmit lateral pressure against the nasal wall tissue region; an expandable structure surrounding the planar member and coupled to the distal end of the probe shaft, wherein the expandable structure is inflatable from a deflated configuration to an expanded configuration; a cryogenic fluid source coupled to the proximal end of the probe shaft; and a lumen disposed in the probe shaft and in fluid communication with the cryogenic fluid source and an interior of the expandable structure, wherein the cryogenic probe is configured to cryogenically ablate the at least one nasal nerve when cryogenic fluid from the cryogenic fluid source is introduced into the interior of the expandable structure via the lumen and the expandable structure in the expanded configuration is in contact against the lateral nasal wall tissue region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A cryogenic probe for treating rhinitis, the probe comprising:
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a probe shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; a planar member defining a flattened shape disposed at the distal end of the probe shaft, the planar member having an elongate structure with arcuate edges to define an atraumatic surface when the distal end of the probe shaft is advanced through a nasal cavity of a patient and positioned within a lateral nasal wall tissue region having at least one nasal nerve associated with a middle or inferior nasal turbinate, wherein the planar member is configured to contact the lateral nasal wall tissue region; an expandable balloon surrounding the planar member and coupled to the distal end of the probe shaft, wherein the expandable balloon is inflatable from a deflated configuration to an expanded configuration; a cryogenic fluid source coupled to the proximal end of the probe shaft; and a lumen disposed in the probe shaft and in fluid communication with the cryogenic fluid source and an interior of the expandable balloon, wherein the cryogenic probe is configured to cryogenically ablate the at least one nasal nerve when cryogenic fluid from the cryogenic fluid source is introduced into the interior of the expandable balloon via the lumen and the expandable balloon in the expanded configuration is in contact against the lateral nasal wall tissue region. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification