Apparatus and methods for treating rhinitis
First Claim
1. A method for treating at least one symptom of rhinitis in a patient, the method comprising:
- introducing a distal end of a probe shaft through a nasal cavity of a patient, wherein the distal end has an end effector with a first configuration having a low-profile which is shaped to contact tissue within the nasal cavity;
positioning the distal end into proximity of a tissue region having at least one posterior nasal nerve associated with a middle or inferior nasal turbinate;
reconfiguring the distal end from the first configuration to a second configuration which is shaped to facilitate treatment; and
ablating the at least one posterior nasal nerve within the tissue region via the distal end such that the at least one symptom of rhinitis is reduced.
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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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for treating at least one symptom of rhinitis in a patient, the method comprising:
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introducing a distal end of a probe shaft through a nasal cavity of a patient, wherein the distal end has an end effector with a first configuration having a low-profile which is shaped to contact tissue within the nasal cavity; positioning the distal end into proximity of a tissue region having at least one posterior nasal nerve associated with a middle or inferior nasal turbinate; reconfiguring the distal end from the first configuration to a second configuration which is shaped to facilitate treatment; and ablating the at least one posterior nasal nerve within the tissue region via the distal end such that the at least one symptom of rhinitis is reduced. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for treating at least one symptom of rhinitis in a patient, the method comprising:
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introducing a distal end of a probe shaft through a nasal cavity of a patient, wherein the distal end has a plurality of electrodes shaped to contact tissue within the nasal cavity; positioning the distal end into proximity of a tissue region having at least one nasal nerve associated with a middle or inferior nasal turbinate; and delivering radiofrequency energy to the at least one nasal nerve within the tissue region via the distal end such that the at least one symptom of rhinitis is reduced. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification