Method of performing a sphenopalatine ganglion block procedure

• US 10,420,459 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2017
• Issued: 09/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biovision Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Biovision Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Chandler, Stephen W., Sanso, David W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Robert, Eduardo C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Eckman, Michelle C
• Application Number:
  US15/798,072
• Publication Number:
  US 20180042471A1
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0623 for off-axis illumination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0655 Control therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/24 for use in the oral cavity, larynx, bronchial passages or nose for medical inspection of cavities or tubes in the body A61B1/00; Tongue scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/105 having a balloon suitable for drug delivery, e.g. by using holes for delivery, drug coating or membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1052 for temporarily occluding a vessel for isolating a sector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/048 Anaesthetics
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/06 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0681 Sinus (maxillaris)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/10 Balloon catheters A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02; inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 ; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1002 characterised by balloon shape A61M25/1006, A61M25/1009 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1011 Multiple balloon catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/10182 Injector syringes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/00 Devices for introducing or retaining media, e.g. remedies, in cavities of the body A61M25/00 takes precedence ; introducing or retaining ophthalmic products into the ocular cavities A61F9/0008

Abstract

Methods and devices to quickly and accurately locate the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) while performing a sphenopalatine ganglion block procedure that introduces a medication to the SPG. The methods and devices also prevent the medication applied to the SPG from flowing down a patient'"'"'s throat during the procedure.

Claims

1. A method for delivering a medication to a sphenopalatine ganglion of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) inserting a portion of a device through a nostril of the patient, the device comprising;

a handle comprising a proximal end and a distal end and an inflation device;

a flexible tubular member extending from the handle, the flexible tubular member comprising a proximal end, a distal end, an inflation lumen coupled to the inflation device and extending from the proximal end of the flexible tubular member, and a second lumen extending from the proximal end of the flexible tubular member to a port;

an expandable member attached to the flexible tubular member, wherein the inflation lumen is coupled to an inflation port disposed within the expandable member, wherein the medication port is disposed proximally of the expandable member; and

an illumination device affixed to the flexible tubular member and disposed distally of the expandable member;

(b) viewing light emitted from the illumination device through a portion of the patient'"'"'s palate;

(c) expanding, using the inflation device, the expandable member adjacent to the patient'"'"'s choana; and

(d) delivering an amount of medication through the port, such that the medication contacts at least a portion of mucosa overlaying the sphenopalatine ganglion of the patient for a period of at least 5 minutes.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of removing the portion of the device through the nostril of the patient.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of inserting the portion of the device through a second nostril of the patient and performing steps (b) through (d).

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of removing the portion of the device through the second nostril of the patient.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of at least partially collapsing the expandable member.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the level of medication is maintained for 10 minutes to 30 minutes.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the level of medication is maintained for 15 minutes to 25 minutes.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the level of medication is maintained for at least 10 minutes.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the level of medication is maintained for at least 15 minutes.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the level of medication is maintained for at least 20 minutes.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the level of medication is maintained for at least 25 minutes.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of inserting the portion the device through the nostril comprises introducing the portion of the device into or through a nasal cavity and into a channel below an inferior turbinate and above a hard palate.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of expanding the expandable member adjacent to the patient'"'"'s choana comprises placing the expandable member in the patient'"'"'s nasopharynx.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the inflation device comprises a plunger, wherein a portion of the plunger is in the handle and a portion of the plunger extends from the distal end of the handle.

15. A method for delivering a medication to a sphenopalatine ganglion of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) inserting a portion of a device through a nostril of the patient, the device comprising;

a handle comprising a proximal end and a distal end;

an inflation device integrated in the handle, wherein the inflation device comprises a plunger extending from the distal end of the handle;

a flexible tubular member extending from the handle, the flexible tubular member comprising a proximal end, a distal end, an inflation lumen coupled to the inflation device and extending from the proximal end of the flexible tubular member, and a second lumen extending from the proximal end of the flexible tubular member to a port;

an expandable member attached to the flexible tubular member, wherein the inflation lumen is coupled to an inflation port disposed within the expandable member, wherein the medication port is disposed proximally of the expandable member; and

an illumination device affixed to the flexible tubular member distally of the expandable member;

(b) viewing light emitted from the illumination device through a portion of the patient'"'"'s palate;

(c) expanding, using the inflation device, the expandable member adjacent to the patient'"'"'s choana; and

(d) delivering an amount of medication through the port, such that the medication contacts at least a portion of mucosa overlaying the sphenopalatine ganglion of the patient for a period of at least 5 minutes.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of removing the portion of the device through the nostril of the patient.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of inserting the portion of the device through a second nostril of the patient and performing steps (b) through (d).

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the level of medication is maintained for at least 5 minutes.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of inserting the portion the device through the nostril comprises introducing the portion of the device into or through a nasal cavity and into a channel below an inferior turbinate and above a hard palate.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of expanding the expandable member adjacent to the patient'"'"'s choana comprises placing the expandable member in the patient'"'"'s nasopharynx.