Handheld battery-powered vapor delivery devices and methods

Abstract

A handheld medical device, system, and method are disclosed for generating and delivering a condensable vapor medium to targeted tissue for localized thermal treatment. The device comprises an ergonomic handle, an elongate introducer having a working end configured for positioning within a body cavity or adjacent tissue, and a vapor-generating subsystem including a resistive heating structure thermally coupled to a liquid flow path to convert a metered flow of liquid medium into condensable vapor. A liquid delivery subsystem supplies the liquid at controlled low flow rates, and an onboard battery serves as an exclusive power source to enable fully portable operation without external generators or cords. A controller coordinates liquid delivery and heating to deliver vapor in controlled pulses or delivery intervals while reducing liquid droplet carryover, optionally using flow restrictors and/or vapor conditioning structures to suppress two-phase flow instabilities. The working end may include one or more vapor outlets, deployable vapor-delivery needles, or surface-contact applicators for penetrating or non-penetrating delivery. In an exemplary otolaryngology application, the device may be positioned within the nasal cavity to deliver condensable vapor adjacent posterior nasal nerve branches for treatment of rhinitis and related upper-airway conditions

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.