Cell necrosis apparatus

A cell necrosis apparatus to reduce a volume of a selected site in an interior of a uvula, comprising:

• a handpiece means;
• an electrode means coupled to a distal portion of the handpiece means including a tissue piercing distal end, the electrode means being configured to be maneuverable in the oral cavity to pierce a uvula surface and advance into an interior of the uvula a sufficient distance to a tissue site, deliver electromagnetic energy to the tissue site and create controlled cell necrosis and a repositioning of the uvula in the oral cavity while substantially preserving an uvula mucosal layer at an exterior of the uvula;
• and
• a cable means coupled to the electrode means.

A cell necrosis apparatus to reduce a volume of a selected site in an interior of a turbinate structure, comprising:

• a handpiece means;
• an electrode means coupled to a distal portion of the handpiece means including a tissue piercing distal end, the electrode means being configured to be maneuverable in a nostril to pierce a turbinate structure exterior surface, advance a sufficient distance in an interior of the turbinate structure to a tissue site, deliver electromagnetic energy to the tissue site and create controlled cell necrosis of the turbinate structure to increase a size of a nasal passageway without sufficiently limiting blood flow to the optic nerve and create a permanent impairment of vision;
• and
• a cable means coupled to the electrode means.

A cell necrosis apparatus to reduce a volume of a selected site in an interior of a soft palate structure, comprising:

• a handpiece means;
• an electrode means coupled to a distal portion of the handpiece means including a tissue piercing distal end, the electrode means being configured to be maneuverable in an oral cavity to pierce a soft palate structure surface and advance into an interior of the soft palate structure a sufficient distance to a tissue site, deliver electromagnetic energy to the tissue site, create controlled cell necrosis and reposition the soft palate structure in an oral cavity with reduced necrosis of an exterior mucosal surface of the soft palate structure;
• and
• a cable means coupled to the electrode means.

A cell necrosis apparatus to reduce a volume of a selected site in an interior of a turbinate structure, comprising:

• a handpiece means;
• an electrode means coupled to a distal portion of the handpiece means including a tissue piercing distal end, the electrode means being configured to be maneuverable in a nostril to pierce a turbinate structure exterior surface, advance a sufficient distance in an interior of the turbinate structure to a tissue site, deliver electromagnetic energy to the tissue site and create controlled cell necrosis of the turbinate structure to increase a size of a nasal passageway without sufficiently limiting blood flow to the retina and create a permanent impairment of vision;
• and
• a cable means coupled to the electrode means.

A method of ablating a portion of a uvula, comprising steps of:

• providing an RF ablation apparatus including a handle, an RF ablation electrode coupled to the handle, the RF ablation electrode having a distal end sharpened sufficiently to pierce the uvula, and an RF energy source coupled to the ablation electrode;
• introducing at least a portion of the RF ablation apparatus including the ablation electrode including the ablation electrode distal end into a mouth cavity;
• positioning the RF ablation apparatus distal end adjacent to the uvula;
• urging the RF ablation electrode distal end against the uvula to pierce and extend within the uvula;
• applying RF ablation energy to the ablation electrode;
• and
• removing the RF ablation electrode distal end from the uvula.

A method of ablating a portion of a soft palate, comprising steps of:

• providing an RF ablation apparatus including a handle, an RF ablation electrode coupled to the handle, the RF ablation electrode having a distal end sharpened sufficiently to pierce the soft palate, and an RF energy source coupled to the ablation electrode;
• introducing at least a portion of the RF ablation apparatus including the ablation electrode distal end into a mouth cavity;
• positioning the RF ablation apparatus distal end adjacent to the soft palate;
• urging the RF ablation electrode distal end against the soft palate to pierce and extend within the soft palate;
• applying RF ablation energy to the ablation electrode;
• and
• removing the RF ablation electrode distal end from the soft palate.