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 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.
1 - 17 . (canceled)
18 . A device for treating a nasal airway in a patient, the device comprising:
a handle;
a shaft extending from the handle and including an inflation lumen;
an inflatable cryotherapy balloon attached to a distal end of the shaft and sized to be inserted into a nostril, wherein an interior of the cryotherapy balloon is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen; and
a source of low-temperature liquid attachable to the handle so as to circulate the low-temperature liquid through the inflation lumen and the interior of the cryotherapy balloon to inflate the cryotherapy balloon and treat at least one target tissue in the nasal airway.
19 . The device of claim 18 , wherein the low-temperature liquid comprises liquid nitrogen.
20 . The device of claim 18 , wherein an expanded diameter of the cryotherapy balloon is sized to reshape the at least one target tissue when the cryotherapy balloon is expanded.
21 . The device of claim 18 , wherein the cryotherapy balloon is configured to remove energy from the at least one target tissue over an entire outer surface of the cryotherapy balloon.
22 . The device of claim 18 , wherein the cryotherapy balloon is configured to deliver cryotherapy to a selected tissue depth, and wherein the at least one target tissue is located at the selected tissue depth.