37 results about "Nasal valve" patented technology

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.

Methods and devices for rhinoplasty and treating nasal valve stenosis are disclosed herein. The nasal valve acts as a flow-limiter and can contribute to airway obstruction if resistance within the nasal valve is excessive. In one embodiment, a system for treating nasal valve stenosis includes a first elongate implant and a second elongate implant configured to support the nasal valves when implanted. The implants can be coupled together by connecting elements, such as eyelets, tethers, complementary socket joints, and button-rivet supports.

A method is described for modifying at least one property of a tissue of or near a nasal valve of a nose, without using a surgical incision or an implant, to decrease airflow resistance or perceived airflow resistance in a nasal airway. The method may involve contacting a treatment element of a treatment device with the at least one tissue inside the nasal airway, with sufficient force to at least temporarily deform the at least one tissue, applying energy to, or removing energy from, the at least one tissue, using the treatment element, and removing the treatment element from the nostril.

A method and apparatus for treating a nasal valve condition include surgically forming an access path to create a pocket on a side of the patient's nose. The pocket is positioned between a soft tissue layer and opposing surfaces of upper and lower cartilages of the nose. The pocket spans a junction between the upper and lower cartilages. An implant is selected having a length, width and thickness sized to reside within the pocket. The length is sized to span the junction. The width is sized to be less than the width of the upper and lower cartilages. The thickness of the implant is as thin as possible while maintaining material strength to resist bending in response to inhalation pressures at the nasal valve. The implant is placed through the access path into the pocket with the length oriented spanning the junction. A delivery system for placement of the implant includes a surgical tool for forming the access path and for delivering the implant into the access path.

A nasal dilator, having a spring force that can be activated after the dilator is applied to the nose, is described. The nasal dilator has a spring force component and an adhesive component, which together act to dilate nasal tissues to help open or keep open the nasal valve to alleviate snoring and other breathing-related disorders.

The present invention relates to apparatus ad methods for correcting nasal valve collapse comprising a device configured for suspending a nasal valve, the device comprising a body portion comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of barbs, wherein the body portion is configured to be inserted through or underneath the upper lateral cartilage of a patient and wherein the plurality of barbs are configured to engage a soft tissue overlying a bony tissue proximal to the upper lateral cartilage, and a head portion coupled to the proximal end of the body portion wherein the head portion is configured to engage the upper lateral cartilage of the patient when the plurality of barbs are engaged with the soft tissue overlying the bony tissue proximal to the upper lateral cartilage

A nasal delivery device for and method of delivering substance to a nasal cavity of a subject, the delivery device comprising: a nosepiece unit including a nosepiece for fitting to a nostril of a subject and a nozzle through which substance is in use delivered, preferably substantially axially to a longitudinal axis of the nosepiece, to the respective nasal cavity, wherein at least a tip element of the nosepiece has, at least in one configuration, an elongate lateral section which has a longer dimension in a first, sagittal direction than a second direction orthogonal to the sagittal direction, such that, when the nosepiece is inserted in the nasal cavity of the subject, the longer dimension of the nosepiece acts to engage lower and upper surfaces of the nasal cavity, preferably at the nasal valve, and expand the same in the sagittal plane; and a delivery unit for delivering substance through the nozzle of the nosepiece.

A nasal dilation device comprises a pair of dilating frames for insertion into respective nasal passages. An external abutment member is joined between the pair of dilating frames to abut an external nasal valve. Each dilating frame comprises a frame member wound in a generally helical pattern about a longitudinal axis of the dilating frame to form a plurality of windings spaced from one another in a direction of the longitudinal axis. By providing a frame formed of a helical member, a resulting open frame design of a dilating frame is provided which is easy to manufacture, of simple structure, with substantially no protruding ends or edges so that the device can be easily and safely inserted into a nasal passage without tearing or causing harm to the soft internal tissues thereof. Outward dilating pressure applied to the internal nasal passage is also distributed over a larger area for comfort.

Medical devices are disclosed as providing nasal airway dilation in subjects in need thereof whose nasal airways are partially or completely blocked, such as for sleep; with CPAP masks; for exercise; wearing goggles alone or with helmets; and for swimming. In an aspect, the devices with a group of applications provide nasal dilation to overcome obstruction caused by nasal valve dysfunction. Methods of employing the same to dilate nasal airways are further disclosed.

Methods, devices and systems for the treatment of nasal valve collapse or other conditions of the ear, nose or throat.

A device is described for treating a nasal airway by modifying a property of a nasal tissue of or near a nasal valve of the airway, without using a surgical incision or an implant, to decrease airflow resistance or perceived airflow resistance in the nasal airway. Various embodiments include an elongate shaft, a bipolar radiofrequency delivery member extending from one end of the shaft, and a handle attached to the elongate shaft at an opposite end from the radiofrequency delivery member. The radiofrequency delivery member is sized to be inserted into a nose and configured to at least temporarily deform the nasal tissue and deliver radiofrequency energy. The radiofrequency delivery member includes two rows of protruding electrodes disposed on a tissue contact surface, and the device is configured to deliver radiofrequency energy from one row of electrodes to the other row of electrodes.

Cartilage support implants for nasal valve support and delivery systems are described. The cartilage support implant can include one or more elongate bodies comprising one or more anchors. The cartilage support implant can be designed to be a permanent implant extending along the midline of a patient's nose, from the nasal bone to the lower lateral cartilage. Methods of placing the cartilage support implant and retrieving the cartilage support implant are also described.

A diagnostic tool and methods of using the tool are provided to quantify an amount of nasal collapse in a patient. The diagnostic tool includes a mask with an endoscope port and an opening to allow air flow, an endoscope with a camera adapted to take an image of the nasal valve, and an air flow sensor adapted to measure an inhalation rate of the patient. The diagnostic tool can quantify a size difference between the nasal valve during inhalation and zero flow by calculating a percentage difference in an area or one or more dimensions of the nasal valve during inhalation and zero flow.