Device and method for treatment of nasal septum
The nasal septum is reshaped by creating multiple holes in the cartilage. RF energy can be applied to ablate tissue around the holes in a manner that minimizes damage of surrounding epithelial and mucosal tissues.
1 . A method for treatment of a deviated nasal septum of a nose, the method comprising:
forming a plurality of holes in only cartilage of the nasal septum using a plurality of needle electrodes arranged in a matrix and inserted through a superficial mucosal layer to remove excess tissue and reduce mechanical resistance;
applying pressure to flatten the nasal septum with the plurality of holes formed therein; and
maintaining the flattened nasal septum while healing to achieve a new shape allowing better air flow through the nose;
wherein each of the needle electrodes arranged in the matrix includes a conductive end extending beyond an insulated section.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein forming the plurality of holes includes penetrating portions of the cartilage with a mechanical instrument.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein forming the plurality of holes includes thermally ablating portions of the cartilage.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the thermally ablating the portions of the cartilage includes applying radiofrequency (RF) energy to the portions of the cartilage to achieve the thermal ablation.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein applying RF energy to the portions of the cartilage includes inserting the plurality of needle electrodes arranged in the matrix into the cartilage from one side of the nasal septum.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of holes are formed to extend through an entire thickness of the cartilage.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of holes are formed to extend only partially through an entire thickness of the cartilage.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of holes are formed to extend through at least 30% of the entire thickness of the cartilage.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of holes are formed with a diameter of 0.1 millimeters (mm) to 1.5 mm.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a collective area of the plurality of holes is between 2% and 50% of a total area of the nasal septum being treated.
11 . A method for treatment of a deviated nasal septum of a nose, the method comprising:
inserting a distal end of a tip of handpiece into the nose;
penetrating cartilage of the nasal septum with a plurality of needle electrodes arranged in a matrix extending from the distal end;
applying radiofrequency (RF) energy with the plurality of needle electrodes arranged in the matrix and inserted through a superficial mucosal layer to ablate portions of only the cartilage adjacent thereto; and
reshaping the nasal septum after ablating the portions of the cartilage;
wherein each of the needle electrodes arranged in the matrix includes a conductive end extending beyond an insulated section.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein penetrating the cartilage of the nasal septum includes extending the conductive ends of the plurality of needle electrodes arranged in the matrix into the cartilage with the insulated sections extending through overlying epithelial and mucosal tissues.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the RF energy is applied from only the conductive ends of the plurality of needles.
14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein applying the RF energy is applied at a power level sufficient to vaporize the portions of the cartilage.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein holes are formed through an entire thickness of the cartilage due to the vaporization.
16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the RF energy is applied between the plurality of needle electrodes.
17 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the RF energy is applied from the plurality of needle electrodes and at least external electrode applied to an opposite side of the nasal septum.
18 . The method of claim 11 , wherein a diameter of each of the plurality of needle electrodes is between 0.1 millimeters (mm) and 1.0 mm.
19 . The method of claim 11 , wherein an average power of the RF energy applied by each of the plurality of needle electrodes is between 1 watt (W) to 100 W.
20 . The method of claim 11 , wherein a frequency of the RF energy applied by the plurality of needle electrodes is between 0.2 megahertz (MHz) and 10 MHz.