Device for obliterating the posterior nasal nerve for the treatment of chronic rhinitis

Abstract

A device for obliterating the posterior nasal nerve for the treatment of chronic rhinitis, comprising: a radio frequency module comprising a first probe; a laser module comprising a second probe; and a main unit comprising a first power controller and a second power controller, the first power controller and the second power controller being electrically connected to the radiofrequency module and the laser module, respectively, the first power controller setting the output power of the radiofrequency module to 15 watts and applying radiofrequency energy to the anterior, middle, and posterior parts of the inferior turbinate and to the upper, inner, and lower parts of the posterior end of the turbinate in the nasal cavity of a human body by means of the first probe to reduce the volume of the inferior turbinate and ablate the neurovascular structure therein, the second power controller setting the output power of the laser module to 2 watts and applying laser energy to the posterior nasal nerve by means of the second probe to ablate the posterior nasal nerve tissue.

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for nerve sclerotherapy, in particular a device for sclerotherapy of the posterior nasal nerve for the treatment of chronic rhinitis. State of the art

[0002] Chronic rhinitis is a highly prevalent and difficult-to-treat disease worldwide, severely impacting the quality of life of adults and young children. According to statistics, 200 million medications are used annually in Taiwan due to allergic diseases. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis among Taiwanese schoolchildren has increased tenfold in the past 30 years. The average prevalence rate in adults is 26.3%, suggesting an estimated patient population of over four million. This disease causes significant medical costs and work absence, leads to sinus-related breathing disorders, and cannot be effectively treated with current medications or surgical interventions.The International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Allergic Rhinitis 2023 (ICAR) recommends surgical interventions as a treatment for drug-resistant chronic rhinitis. It was the first to propose ablation of the posterior nasal nerve as a method for reducing rhinorrhea and nasal hypersensitivity. However, a patented device for this procedure currently exists only in the United States. Studies show that initial efficacy is insufficient (30% of treatments are ineffective) and there is a 2.4% risk of severe nasal bleeding.

[0003] The state of the art has the following disadvantages: 1. Previous surgical procedures for treating allergic rhinitis were associated with high hurdles, required hospitalization and general anesthesia, and had a high complication rate. 2. The existing improved accessible surgical device for the treatment of allergic rhinitis is patented exclusively in the United States and may not be used anywhere else in the world. 3. The US-patented device shows insufficient initial efficacy (30% of treatments initially show no effect) and there is a 2.4% probability of dangerous bleeding.

[0004] Against this background, eliminating the aforementioned deficiencies presents a technical challenge. Therefore, the inventor, drawing on his many years of professional experience, has dedicated himself to solving the problem and, after several modifications, experiments, and improvements, has finally developed the present invention to increase the effectiveness of the treatment. Object of the invention

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned disadvantages, the device for obliterating the posterior nasal nerve for treating chronic rhinitis according to the invention comprises: a radiofrequency module comprising a first probe; a laser module comprising a second probe;and a main unit comprising a first power controller and a second power controller, the first power controller and the second power controller being electrically connected to the radiofrequency module and the laser module, respectively, the first power controller setting the output power of the radiofrequency module to 15 watts and applying radiofrequency energy to the anterior, middle, and posterior parts of the inferior turbinate and to the upper, inner, and lower parts of the posterior end of the turbinate in the nasal cavity of a human body via the first probe to reduce the volume of the inferior turbinate and ablate the neurovascular structure contained therein, the second power controller setting the output power of the laser module to 2 watts and applying laser energy to the posterior nasal nerve via the second probe to ablate the posterior nasal nerve tissue.

[0006] Preferably, the anterior, middle and posterior parts of the inferior turbinate further comprise at least one mulberry-shaped structure.

[0007] Preferably, the radiofrequency module is removably connected to the first probe for transmitting radiofrequency energy to the tissue of the inferior turbinate. The laser module includes a connecting handle removably connected to the second probe for transmitting laser energy to the tissue of the posterior nasal nerve.

[0008] Preferably, the laser module further comprises a smoke removal module connected to the connecting handle or the second probe and removing the smoke generated during the laser process.

[0009] Preferably, the second probe has a bending angle of 20° and a 90° mirror prism to specifically transmit the laser energy to the nerve area of ​​the posterior turbinate.

[0010] Preferably, the radio frequency module is a bipolar radio frequency device and the laser module is a CO2 laser.

[0011] The device according to the invention demonstrates superior efficacy in treating rhinitis compared to the prior art, with a lower risk of complications such as severe posterior nasal bleeding. It represents a patent breakthrough and serves the public good. Due to the outstanding results, the device has already been used to treat over 1,000 patients at home and abroad, including patients from the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, and Malaysia. The present invention has been published in three SCI-listed international journals, including the leading International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology (IFAR; IF: 7.2), and has received widespread international recognition. Between 2024 and 2025 alone, over 15 national and international lectures were held. More than 42 medical specialists, including 17 from medical centers, visited our team for clinical observation.Following these visits, a nationwide network of 20 physicians from 14 counties and cities was established under the leadership of our team to jointly advance innovative medical technologies. Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the overall structure according to the present invention; Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic view of the first probe according to the present invention; Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of the second probe according to the present invention; Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the second probe according to the present invention; Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic view according to the present invention in which the second probe is connected to the connecting handle and the smoke exhaust module; Fig. Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing the use state of the first probe according to the present invention; Fig. 7 shows a schematic view of the use state of the second probe according to the present invention. Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

[0012] To explain the content and the achievable advantageous effects of the present invention, the Fig. 1 to 4 illustrate a specific embodiment. The device according to the invention for obliterating the posterior nasal nerve for the treatment of chronic rhinitis comprises the following: A high-frequency module 10 comprising a first probe 11. A laser module 20 comprising a second probe 21 and a smoke exhaust module 22.

[0013] The radiofrequency module 10 is a bipolar radiofrequency device. The laser module 20 is a CO2 laser. The radiofrequency module 10 and the laser module 20 are each removably connected to the first probe 11 and the second probe 21.

[0014] It is based on the Fig. 1, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. A main unit 30 includes a first power controller 31 and a second power controller 32, the first power controller 31 and the second power controller 32 being electrically connected to the radiofrequency module 10 and the laser module 20, respectively. The first power controller 31 sets the output power of the radiofrequency module 10 to 15 watts and, by means of the first probe 11, applies radiofrequency energy to the anterior, middle, and posterior parts of the inferior turbinate A1, as well as to the upper, inner, and lower parts of the posterior end of the turbinate in the nasal cavity A of a human body, in order to reduce the volume of the inferior turbinate A1 and ablate the neurovascular structure therein.The second power controller 32 sets the output power of the laser module 20 to 2 watts and applies laser energy to the posterior nasal nerve via the second probe 21 to ablate the posterior nasal nerve tissue, wherein the anterior, middle and posterior parts of the inferior turbinate A1 further comprise at least one mulberry-shaped structure.

[0015] In summary, the connecting handle H, the first probe 11, and the second probe 21 are used to transmit radiofrequency energy and laser energy to 15 to 30 non-overlapping sites on the tissue of the inferior turbinate. Fig. 3 to 5. The second probe 21 is used to transmit laser energy to the tissue of the posterior nasal nerve. The smoke removal module 22 is connected to the connecting handle H or the second probe 21 to effectively remove the smoke generated during the laser process.

[0016] The invention enables the creation of an optimal working space by inserting the first probe 11 and the second probe 21 into the nasal cavity. Reducing the size of the nasal turbinates using radiofrequency provides immediate symptom relief compared to conventional methods and results in improved hemostasis through deeper nerve ablation.

[0017] The present invention offers the following advantages: 1. The present invention has achieved positive results. Between 2023 and 2025, over 1,000 innovative surgical procedures were performed, with high efficacy, minimal invasiveness, avoiding hospital stays, and thus reducing the burden on health insurance companies. 2. This innovative “high-frequency desensitization surgery of the inferior turbinate” enables a previously unattained treatment depth up to the posterior border of the inferior turbinate, thus achieving complete treatment of the posterior nasal nerve in the inferior turbinate. 3. The innovative "sclerotherapy of the posterior nasal nerve using a CO2 laser" replaces conventional nerve transection, significantly shortens healing times, and reduces the risk of complications. Compared to the current state of the art, the risk of posterior nasal bleeding is greatly reduced, significantly increasing safety. 4. The innovative “hemostatic patch for the inferior turbinate” replaces the previous expanding nasal tampons and avoids open wounds, enabling faster recovery by quickly restoring nasal breathing. 5. The innovative "position-dependent anesthesia technique" allows for surgery with less than 6 cc of anesthetic. Minimal bleeding occurs during the operation, and all patients undergo the procedure without complications, with minimal pain and high levels of satisfaction. 6. The establishment of a nationwide cooperative network of physicians provides a comprehensive care and support system for both national and international patients.

Claims

[1] A device for obliterating the posterior nasal nerve for the treatment of chronic rhinitis, comprising: a radio frequency module comprising a first probe; a laser module comprising a second probe; and a main unit comprising a first power controller and a second power controller, the first power controller and the second power controller being electrically connected to the radiofrequency module and the laser module, respectively, the first power controller setting the output power of the radiofrequency module to 15 watts and applying radiofrequency energy to the anterior, middle, and posterior parts of the inferior turbinate and to the upper, inner, and lower parts of the posterior end of the turbinate in the nasal cavity of a human body by means of the first probe to reduce the volume of the inferior turbinate and ablate the neurovascular structure therein, the second power controller setting the output power of the laser module to 2 watts and applying laser energy to the posterior nasal nerve by means of the second probe to ablate the posterior nasal nerve tissue. [2] A posterior nasal nerve obliteration device for treating chronic rhinitis according to claim 1, wherein the anterior, middle and posterior portions of the inferior turbinate further comprise at least one mulberry-shaped structure. [3] The posterior nasal nerve obliteration device for treating chronic rhinitis according to claim 1, wherein the radio frequency module and the laser module are detachably connected to the first probe and the second probe, respectively, the radio frequency module transmitting radio frequency energy to the tissue of the inferior turbinate by means of the first probe and the laser module transmitting laser energy to the tissue of the posterior nasal nerve by means of the second probe. [4] The posterior nasal nerve obliteration device for treating chronic rhinitis according to claim 3, wherein the laser module further comprises a smoke removal module connected to the connecting handle or the second probe and removing the smoke generated during the laser process. [5] A posterior nasal nerve obliteration device for treating chronic rhinitis according to claim 1, wherein the second probe has a bending angle of 20° and a 90° mirror prism to selectively transmit the laser energy to the nerve region of the posterior turbinate. [6] A device for obliterating the posterior nasal nerve for treating chronic rhinitis according to claim 1, wherein the radiofrequency module is a bipolar radiofrequency device and the laser module is a CO2 laser.

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