METHODS AND DEVICES TO TREAT NASAL AIRWAYS

1 . A method for reshaping a nasal airway in a patient, the method comprising:

positioning an inflatable balloon of a reshaping device in an uninflated configuration between a nasal septum and a lateral wall of the nasal airway;

inflating the inflatable balloon to an inflated configuration to cause the inflatable balloon to press against the lateral wall;

maintaining the inflatable balloon in the inflated configuration within the nasal airway for a period of time; and

removing the inflatable balloon from the nasal airway, wherein a diameter of the nasal airway remains expanded after removal of the reshaping device and healing of the lateral wall.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the inflatable balloon is positioned between an upper portion of the nasal septum and the lateral wall, wherein the inflatable balloon is inflated until a nasal valve angle of the nasal airway reaches a desired size, and wherein the diameter of the nasal airway comprises a diameter at or near a nasal valve of the nasal airway.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the expanded diameter of the nasal airway causes a decrease in airflow resistance or a decrease in perceived airflow resistance in the nasal airway.

4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying energy to the lateral wall with the inflatable balloon to fix the lateral wall in a desired conformational shape before, during or after inflating the balloon.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the energy is applied via an energy delivery member coupled with an outer surface of the inflatable balloon.

6 . The method of claim 4 , wherein applying the energy comprises inflating the inflatable balloon with heated inflation fluid.

7 . A method of treating a patient's nasal airway, the method comprising:

positioning a treatment element within the nasal airway adjacent to a nasal tissue to be treated; and

expanding the treatment element to apply sufficient force to the nasal tissue to alter a shape of the nasal tissue,

wherein the nasal tissue at least partially maintains the altered shape after the treating element is removed and the nasal tissue heals.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the method is performed without creating a surgical incision or implanting a surgical implant.

9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein expanding the treatment element comprises inflating a balloon.

10 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising maintaining the treatment element in an expanded configuration within the nasal airway for a period of time.

11 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising applying energy to the nasal tissue with the treatment element.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein applying energy comprises applying energy in a form selected from the group consisting of ultrasound, microwave, heat, radiofrequency, electrical, light and laser.

13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein applying energy comprises injuring the nasal tissue.

14 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising, before applying energy, injecting a polymerizing liquid into or below the nasal tissue.

15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein expanding the treatment element and applying the energy modifies a mechanical property of the nasal tissue in a manner that increases a volumetric airflow rate of air flowing from an exterior of the patient's body into the patient's nasopharynx without changing a shape of an internal nasal valve.

16 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the nasal tissue comprises at least one of tissue at a nasal valve or tissue adjacent a nasal valve, and wherein altering the shape of the tissue comprises expanding a diameter of the nasal airway at or near the nasal valve.

17 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising delivering a cauterizing agent to the nasal tissue.