Methods and devices to treat nasal airways
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.
1. A method for treating a deviated nasal septum in a patient, the method comprising:
inserting a treatment element of a nasal airway treatment device into a nasal airway of the patient, wherein the treatment element comprises:
a treatment surface; and
two rows of bipolar radiofrequency electrodes disposed along the treatment surface;
applying force to the deviated nasal septum with the treatment surface of the treatment element to alter a shape of the deviated nasal septum; and
delivering radiofrequency energy to the deviated nasal septum with the two rows of bipolar radiofrequency electrodes on the treatment surface of the treatment element,
wherein the deviated nasal septum at least partially maintains the altered shape after the treatment element is removed and the nasal septum heals.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sensing a temperature of the deviated nasal septum with a temperature sensing member located between the two rows of bipolar radiofrequency electrodes on the treatment surface.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising expanding an expansion portion of the treatment element, thereby applying the force to the deviated nasal septum with the treatment surface.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein expanding the expansion portion comprises increasing a diameter of a nasal passage at the deviated nasal septum beyond a normal range in order for the diameter to remain expanded after removal of the treatment element and the nasal septum heals.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least part of the treatment surface of the treatment element has a convex shape, and wherein the two rows of bipolar radiofrequency electrodes are aligned perpendicular to a radius of curvature of the convex shape.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the treatment element is non-expandable.
7. A device for treating a deviated nasal septum in a patient, the device comprising:
an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate shaft defining a longitudinal axis;
a handle at the proximal end of the elongate shaft;
a fixed-size, non-expandable, treatment element extending from the distal end of the elongate shaft, the treatment element having a front tissue-contact surface, a back surface, and a length that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft; and
two rows of non-penetrating, radiofrequency electrodes disposed along the front tissue-contact surface of the treatment element, wherein the electrodes comprise multiple bipolar electrode pairs configured to deliver radiofrequency energy to the deviated nasal septum, and wherein the two rows are parallel to the longitudinal axis.
8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the treatment element is wider than the elongate shaft.
9. The device of claim 7 , wherein the front tissue-contact surface of the treatment element comprises a shallow convex shape defining a curve and configured to mechanically press laterally against the deviated nasal septum to reshape the deviated nasal septum, and wherein the curve of the convex shape of the front tissue-contact surface is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis defined by the elongate shaft.
10. The device of claim 7 , wherein the handle is the sole handle of the device.
11. The device of claim 7 , wherein each of the multiple bipolar electrode pairs has a separate, controlled electrical channel, configured to allow different regions of the treatment element to be activated separately.
12. The device of claim 7 , further comprising a heat sensor coupled with the front tissue-contact surface between the two rows of radiofrequency electrodes, configured to measure a temperature of the deviated nasal septum.
13. The device of claim 7 , wherein the back surface of the treatment element does not contain any electrodes.
14. A method for treating a deviated nasal septum of a nasal airway, the method comprising:
inserting a reshaping element into a first nostril of the nasal airway;
inserting a non-expandable treatment element into a second nostril of the nasal airway, wherein the treatment element comprises;
a treatment surface; and
two rows of bipolar radiofrequency electrodes disposed along the treatment surface;
contacting the reshaping element and the treatment surface of the treatment element with opposite sides of the deviated nasal septum;
altering a shape of the deviated nasal septum using the reshaping element; and
delivering radiofrequency energy to the deviated nasal septum using the radiofrequency electrodes on the treatment surface of the treatment element.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the reshaping element and the treatment element are each part of separate devices.
16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
inserting a positioning element into the nasal airway; and
obtaining one or more measurements with the positioning element,
wherein a position of at least one of the reshaping element or the treatment element relative to the deviated nasal septum during delivery of the radiofrequency energy is based, at least in part, on the obtained one or more measurements.