Cryogenic device and method for treatment of rhinitis

A method of treating rhinitis in a nasal cavity of a patient, said method comprising:

• providing a cryoablation system comprising:
• a handle portion (32) and an insertion portion (33) extending distally from the handle portion (32), said insertion portion comprising a shaft (34) having a distal end (34d) and a proximal end (34p), with a cryoablation tip (35) disposed at said distal end of the shaft, and a cryogen reservoir (36) configured for delivery of cryogen to the cryoablation tip, wherein:
• the cryoablation tip (35) is paddle-shaped, having a thermally conductive first broad side (41) and a thermally insulative second broad side (42), whereby said cryoablation tip is configured for placement in the nasal cavity of the patient such that:
• (1) the thermally conductive first broad side (41) is configured to be disposed against a first treatment zone (16) located inferior to a middle turbinate attachment (14) of a middle turbinate (5) of the patient, posterior to an uncinate process (15) and anterior to a posterior end of the middle turbinate attachment (14);
• while at the same time,
• (2) the thermally insulative second broad side (42) may be located proximate a lateral surface of the middle turbinate (5);
• inserting the cryoablation tip and distal end of the insertion portion into the nasal cavity of the patient, and positioning the cryoablation tip such that:
• the thermally conductive first broad side (41) is disposed against the first treatment zone (16) and the thermally insulative second broad side (42) is facing the lateral surface of the middle turbinate;
• and
• initiating supply of cryogen to the cryoablation tip to cryoablate a posterior nasal nerve proximate the first treatment zone.

A cryoablation system (31) configured for ablating a posterior nasal nerve (11) enervating a lateral nasal wall (2) of a patient, said system comprising a handle portion (32) and an insertion portion (33) extending distally from the handle portion (32), said insertion portion comprising a shaft (34) having a distal end (34d) and a proximal end (34p), with a cryoablation tip (35) disposed at said distal end of the shaft, and a cryogen reservoir (36) configured for delivery of cryogen to the cryoablation tip, wherein:

• the cryoablation tip (35) is paddle-shaped, with a broad, flat, overall rectangular outline and a thermally conductive first broad side (41) with a first broad side proximal portion (41p) and a first broad side distal portion (41d) and a thermally insulative second broad side (42), said cryoablation tip also having a first side edge (47) and a second side edge (48) between the first broad side and the second broad side and a first notch (45) in the first side edge (47), whereby said cryoablation tip is configured for placement in a nasal cavity of the patient, and wherein said proximal portion (41p), said distal portion (41d), and said first notch (45), are located on the cryoablation tip relative to each other such that the cryoablation tip (35) is positionable within the nasal cavity, with;
• (1) the proximal portion (41p) of the thermally conductive first broad side (41) disposed against a first treatment zone (16) located inferior to a middle turbinate attachment (14) of a middle turbinate (5) of the patient, posterior to an uncinate process (15) and anterior to a posterior end (14p) of the middle turbinate attachment (14);
• (2) the distal portion (41d) of the thermally conductive first broad side (41) disposed against a second treatment zone (17) comprising an area superior to the middle turbinate (5), and posterior to the posterior end (14p) of the middle turbinate attachment (14), on the lateral nasal wall (2) of the nasal cavity;
• and
• (3) the first notch (45) disposed in a third treatment zone comprising a nub (9) at the posterior end (14p) of the middle turbinate attachment (14).

A cryoablation system (31) configured for ablating a posterior nasal nerve (11) enervating a lateral nasal wall (2) of a patient, said system comprising a handle portion (32) and an insertion portion (33) extending distally from the handle portion (32), said insertion portion comprising a shaft (34) having a distal end (34d) and a proximal end (34p), with a cryoablation tip (35) disposed at said distal end of the shaft, and a cryogen reservoir (36) configured for delivery of cryogen to the cryoablation tip, wherein:

• the cryoablation tip (35) is paddle-shaped, with a broad, flat, overall rectangular outline and a thermally conductive first broad side (41) with a first broad side proximal portion (41p) and a first broad side distal portion 41 (d) and a thermally insulative second broad side (42), said cryoablation tip also having a first side edge (47) and a second side edge (48) between the first broad side and the second broad side and a first notch (45) in the first side edge (47), whereby said cryoablation tip is configured for placement in a nasal cavity of the patient;
• wherein
• the first notch (45) is configured to receive a nub (9) of a posterior attachment of a middle turbinate when:
• (1) the proximal portion (41p) of the thermally conductive first broad side (41) is disposed against a first treatment zone (16) located inferior to a middle turbinate attachment (14), posterior to an uncinate process (15) and anterior to a posterior end of the posterior attachment of the middle turbinate;
• and, at the same time,
• (2) a distal portion (41d) of the thermally conductive first broad side (41) is disposed against a second treatment zone (17) comprising an area superior to the middle turbinate, and posterior to the posterior end of the posterior attachment of the middle turbinate, on the lateral nasal wall (2) of the nasal cavity.