Method of performing a sphenopalatine ganglion block procedure

• US 9,248,266 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2015
• Issued: 02/02/2016
• 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 CHRISTINE
• Application Number:
  US14/712,722
• Publication Number:
  US 20150258315A1
• Time in Patent Office: 264 Days
• Field of Search: 600/249, 604/94.01, 604/95.02, 604/95.03, 604/95.05, 604/96.01, 604/97.01, 604/514, 606/191, 606/192, 606/196, 606/198, 606/199
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 into a nasal cavity of a patient through a nostril, the device comprising;

a handle comprising a proximal end and a distal end;

an inflation device at least partially and integrally disposed within the handle;

a flexible tubular member extending from the distal end of 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 medication port;

an expandable member attached to the flexible tubular member, the expandable member comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the inflation lumen opens, via an inflation port, into the expandable member, wherein the medication port is disposed proximally of the proximal end of the expandable member;

an illumination device disposed distally of the expandable member; and

a non-inflatable stabilizer slidably coupled to the flexible tubular member, wherein the non-inflatable stabilizer is capable of sliding along the flexible tubular member between the handle and the expandable member;

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

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

(d) sliding the non-inflatable stabilizer toward the patient'"'"'s nose;

(e) introducing an amount of medication into the nasal cavity through the medication port, such that the medication rises to a level and contacts at least a portion of mucosa overlaying a sphenopalatine ganglion of the patient for a period of 5 minutes to 35 minutes;

(f) collapsing the expandable member; and

(g) removing the device from the nasal cavity.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of sliding the non-inflatable stabilizer away from the patient'"'"'s nose.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of removing at least a portion of the medication through the medication port in the flexible tubular member.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of inserting the device into a second portion of the nasal cavity of the patient through a second nostril and performing steps (b) through (g).

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

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the level of medication is maintained for 15 minutes to 25 minutes.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the level of medication is maintained for at least 20 minutes.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the amount of the medication introduced to the nasal cavity is between 2 milliliters to 15 milliliters.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the amount of the medication introduced to the nasal cavity is between 5 milliliters to 10 milliliters.

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

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of expanding the expandable member adjacent to the patient'"'"'s choana comprises placing the expandable member in the patient'"'"'s nasopharynx.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of introducing an amount of medication into the nasal cavity comprises actuating an auxiliary syringe coupled to the second lumen.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-inflatable stabilizer comprises a lumen capable of having a first configuration and a second configuration.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-inflatable stabilizer is capable of sliding along the flexible tubular member when the lumen has a first configuration and the non-inflatable stabilizer is less capable of sliding along the flexible tubular member when the lumen has a second configuration.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the handle further comprises a switch for activating the illumination device.