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US 9,788,886 B2Granted
Methods and devices to treat nasal airways
AssigneeAerin Medical Inc.
InventorsScott J. Wolf, Andrew Frazier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and devices for treating nasal airways are provided. Such devices and methods may improve airflow through an internal and/or external nasal valve, and comprise the use of mechanical re-shaping, energy application and other treatments to modify the shape, structure, and/or air flow characteristics of an internal nasal valve, an external nasal valve or other nasal airways.
Claims12
A method of treating a patient's airway, the method comprising:
- advancing a non-expandable, elongate treatment element of a treatment device through a nostril and into the patient's airway, wherein the elongate treatment element includes a tissue-contact surface having a shape;
- contacting a pair of bipolar, radiofrequency electrodes protruding from the tissue-contact surface with tissue in the airway;
- applying force against the tissue with the shape of the tissue-contact surface to at least temporarily deform the tissue to a desired shape;
- delivering radiofrequency energy between the electrodes, to at least one of reshape, remodel, strengthen or change a property of the tissue;
- and
- removing the treatment element from the airway.
3 more elements
A method of treating a patient's airway, the method comprising:
- advancing a treatment element of a treatment device through a nostril of a patient and into the patient's airway, the treatment device having a radiofrequency electrode needle extending from the treatment element;
- inserting the radiofrequency electrode needle into tissue of the patient's airway to reach submucosal tissue to be treated;
- delivering radiofrequency energy using the inserted radiofrequency electrode needle to at least one of reshape, remodel, strengthen or change a property of the submucosal tissue to be treated;
- and
- removing the treatment element from the airway.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.