Nasal implant introduced through a non-surgical injection technique
A method for non-surgically treating an internal nasal valve of a patient comprising, injecting a working device into the internal nasal valve of the patient, wherein the injected working device in the nasal tissue causes an alteration of an internal or external nasal valve. A device introduced by injection into the nose, allowing for structural support or filling of defects in the nose, and causing a change in external shape of the nose. The device and inserts and implants described also have use in cosmetic applications relating to the facial tissue.
1. A method for changing a structure of a nose, the method comprising:
inserting an introducing needle into the nose, the introducing needle comprising a hollow core;
controlling movement of an implant out of the hollow core of the introducing needle and into nasal tissue of the nose, the implant having a length, width, and a thickness sized for the implant to reside within nasal tissue of the nose;
placing the implant at the lateral edge of a lateral cartilage to strengthen attachment of the lateral cartilage to a maxillary bone of the nose;
applying, using the implant, force to the cartilage to stent a nasal valve open; and
wherein the implant changes from a first shape to a second shape.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the needle comprises a first end and a second end, the method further comprising moving the implant through the hollow core and out of the second end of the needle.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the implant comprises an absorbable material.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the absorbable material comprises a poly (L-lactic acid), poly (d-lactic acid), polycaprolactone, or polyglycolic acid polymer.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the implant comprises material with shape memory properties.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of the implant changing comprises activating the shape memory properties.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the implant is malleable, the method comprising adjusting the implant from the first shape to the second shape.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the introducing needle further includes a stop mechanism configured to control movement of an advancement shaft after the introducing needle arrives at a desired location in the nasal tissue, the method further comprising stopping movement of the advancement shaft with the stop mechanism.
9. The method of claim 1 further comprising supporting a nasal airway with the implant to thereby prevent the nasal airway from collapsing during inspiration.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising supporting a nasal valve with the implant to thereby prevent the nasal valve from collapsing during inspiration.
11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising altering a size of the nasal valve area within the nose.
12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising using the implant to resist bending in the nasal tissue.
13. The method of claim 5 wherein the second shape corresponds to a shape memory configuration of the material with shape memory properties.
14. The method of claim 6 wherein activating the shape memory properties includes applying: heat, cold, light, or a magnetic field to the implant.