# US 11,896,293 B2 · Nasal tissue treatment method and related device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,896,293 B2 - Document ID: US11896293B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/025,510 - Filed: 2020-09-18 - Published: 2022-01-27 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2020-07-21 - Assignees: Inmode Ltd. - Applicants: Inmode Ltd - Inventors: Michael Kreindel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11896293B2 ## CPC - A61B 18/1485: {having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings} - A61B 18/14: Probes or electrodes therefor - A61B 18/16: Indifferent or passive electrodes for grounding - A61F 5/08: Devices for correcting deformities of the nose {; Devices for enlarging the nostril, e.g. for breathing improvement} - 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 - A61B 2018/00005: {Cooling or heating of the probe or tissue immediately surrounding the probe} - A61B 2018/00011: {with fluids} - A61B 2018/00017: {with gas} - A61B 2018/00029: {open} - A61B 2018/00047: {using Peltier effect} - A61B 2018/00083: {low, i.e. electrically insulating} - A61B 2018/00101: {low, i.e. thermally insulating} - A61B 2018/00107: {Coatings on the energy applicator} - A61B 2018/00327: {Ear, nose or throat} - A61B 2018/00589: {Coagulation} - A61B 2018/00642: {with feedback, i.e. closed loop control} - A61B 2018/00702: {Power or energy} - A61B 2018/00761: {Duration} - A61B 2018/00779: {Power or energy} - A61B 2018/00791: {Temperature} - A61B 2018/00827: {Current} - A61B 2018/00875: {Resistance or impedance} - A61B 2018/00892: {Voltage} - A61B 2018/1425: {Needle} - A61B 2018/143: {multiple needles} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract Nasal airway reshaping is accomplished using a fractional treatment device applied externally to the nose to insert needle electrodes into nasal tissue to be reshaped. Energy is applied via the electrodes to cause at least partial coagulation of the nasal tissue within zones around each of the plurality of needle electrodes while pressure is applied internally to achieve the desired reshaping. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of reshaping a nasal airway, the method comprising: applying mechanical pressure from inside a nostril to reshape a portion the nasal airway; inserting, to a predetermined depth, a plurality of needle electrodes of a hand piece through an external skin surface of the nose into nasal tissue adjacent to the reshaped portion; and applying a predetermined amount of radiofrequency (RF) energy via the plurality of needle electrodes after insertion to cause at least partial coagulation of the nasal tissue within respective zones around each of the plurality of needle electrodes; wherein a portion of each of the plurality of needle electrodes is coated with an insulating material to minimize application of RF energy adjacent to the portion; and wherein each portion is closer to the hand piece than a remaining, uninsulated portion of each of the plurality of needle electrodes. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein a length of each of the plurality of needle electrodes is from 0.5 millimeters (mm) to 10 mm. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein at least four needle electrodes are inserted into the nasal tissue. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein applying the predetermined amount of RF energy includes applying the RF energy in at least one pulse having a duration of 1 millisecond to 5 seconds. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein applying the predetermined amount of RF energy via the plurality of needle electrodes includes using at least one of the plurality of needle electrodes as at least one active electrode, with a remainder of the plurality of needles electrodes being return electrodes. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein using the least one of the plurality of needle electrodes as at least one active electrode includes using only one of the plurality needle electrodes as only one active electrode. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein using only one of the plurality needle electrodes as only one active electrode includes switching which of the plurality of needle electrodes is the only one active electrode. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein applying the predetermined amount of RF energy via the plurality of needle electrodes includes using at least one of the plurality of needle electrodes as at least one active electrode and using a surface electrode applied to the external skin surface as a return electrode. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein applying the predetermined amount of RF energy via the plurality of needle electrodes is performed such that each of the respective zones is smaller than a distance between adjacent ones of the plurality of needle electrodes. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein applying the predetermined amount of RF energy via the plurality of needle electrodes includes: measuring at least one parameter during application of the RF energy, the at least one parameter including at least one of RF current, RF voltage, RF power and tissue impedance during application of the RF energy; and adjusting RF power and pulse duration according to the at least one parameter. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising cooling nasal mucosa and the external skin surface while applying the predetermined amount of RF energy. ### Claim 12 A method of reshaping a nasal airway, the method comprising: applying mechanical pressure from inside a nostril to reshape a portion the nasal airway; inserting, to a predetermined depth, a plurality of needle electrodes of a hand piece through an external skin surface of the nose into nasal tissue adjacent to the reshaped portion; and applying a predetermined amount of radiofrequency (RF) energy via the plurality of needle electrodes after insertion to cause at least partial coagulation of the nasal tissue within respective zones around each of the plurality of needle electrodes; wherein applying the predetermined amount of RF energy includes pulsed application of the RF energy with a pulse duration of 1 millisecond to 5 seconds.