Systems and methods for treating chronic sinusitis
The invention generally relates to systems and methods for targeting of specific tissue(s) of interest within a sino-nasal region of a patient, specifically sinus regions (i.e., ostia and sinus cavities), for the treatment of chronic sinusitis conditions.
1 . A method for treating chronic sinusitis, the method comprising:
advancing an end effector, disposed at a distal end of a shaft of a treatment device, within a sino-nasal cavity of a patient;
positioning and deploying the end effector relative to one or more target sites associated with at least one of an ostium and cavity of a paranasal sinus, wherein the end effector comprises a first segment comprising a first set of flexible support elements and a second segment comprising a second set of flexible support elements, wherein the first and second segments each have an open-ended circumferential shape when deployed and generally oppose one another in that the first and second segments extend in opposing directions along a longitudinal axis of the shaft; and
delivering energy, from a plurality of energy delivery elements provided on the first and second segments, at the one more target to disrupt neural signals to mucus producing and/or mucosal engorgement elements associated with the paranasal sinus.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the paranasal sinus is selected from the group consisting of a frontal sinus, a sphenoidal sinus, a maxillary sinus, and an ethmoidal sinus.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein delivering energy results in ablation of targeted tissue at multiple locations to thereby disrupt the multiple neural signals to the mucus producing and/or mucosal engorgement elements.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the ablation is thermal ablation.
5 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the ablation is caused by delivery of radio-frequency energy.
6 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising receiving feedback, prior to, during, and/or after the ablation.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the flexible support elements includes one or more energy delivery elements provided thereon.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein each of the flexible support elements comprises a plurality of energy delivery elements provided thereon.
9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the end effector is transformable from a retracted configuration to an expanded configuration.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the one or more flexible support elements comprises shape memory material.
11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein, when in the expanded configuration, the end effector positions the one or more energy delivery elements relative to parasympathetic nerves inverting the paranasal sinus.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the disrupting of neural signals reduces hyperactive mucosal secretions and soft tissue engorgement of the paranasal sinus.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the end effector comprises at least one inflatable member.