Nasal Airway Tissue Reshaping via Internal RF Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for treating nasal airflow resistance, such as surgical interventions and external nasal dilators, are invasive, uncomfortable, and unsightly, failing to address the need for non-invasive and minimally invasive solutions to improve nasal airflow.
Innovation Solution
Devices and methods that utilize energy delivery elements, such as RF energy, ultrasound, and mechanical reshaping, to reshape and strengthen nasal tissues, including the skin, muscle, mucosa, and cartilage, without surgical incisions, to enhance airflow resistance and structure stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If surgical interventions are used to treat nasal airflow resistance, then nasal airflow is improved, but the treatment becomes invasive and requires surgical incisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical surgical interventions with energy-based treatment methods. Specifically, it uses radiofrequency energy delivery elements inserted through the nasal septum to heat and reshape cartilage, eliminating the need for surgical incisions while achieving similar structural modification goals. This substitution of mechanical surgery with thermal energy delivery resolves the contradiction between improving nasal airflow and avoiding invasive procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of nasal cartilage through controlled thermal heating. By delivering radiofrequency energy to raise cartilage temperature to specific ranges (e.g., 50-70°C), the treatment induces controlled tissue remodeling and strengthening without requiring surgical removal or reconstruction. This parameter-based approach (temperature control) allows non-invasive modification of cartilage structure to improve nasal airflow.
2Productivity
If external nasal dilators are used to improve nasal airflow, then airflow resistance is reduced, but the device becomes uncomfortable and unsightly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the treatment from external application to internal targeted delivery. Instead of placing dilators on the external nose surface, the invention inserts energy delivery elements through the nasal septum to directly treat the cartilage structures from within. This internal approach eliminates external visible devices and associated discomfort while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the nasal septum as an intermediary pathway to deliver treatment energy directly to target cartilage structures. The septum serves as a natural access route that allows insertion of thin energy delivery elements without external visible components, thereby avoiding the comfort and cosmetic issues associated with external dilators while enabling precise internal treatment.
3Shape
If traditional surgical methods are used to reshape nasal tissues, then nasal valve structure is improved, but the procedure requires incisions and has longer recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical surgical cutting and restructuring with thermal energy-based tissue remodeling. By using radiofrequency energy to heat and reshape cartilage in situ, the treatment achieves structural improvement without incisions, sutures, or extensive tissue manipulation, thereby significantly reducing recovery time while maintaining structural efficacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary localized heating of cartilage tissue before structural remodeling occurs. By pre-heating the target cartilage to specific temperature ranges, the treatment prepares the tissue for controlled reshaping, enabling the desired structural changes to occur more quickly and with less overall treatment time compared to traditional surgical methods that require extensive preparation and post-operative care.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
These methods effectively improve nasal airflow by reshaping and strengthening nasal tissues, providing a non-invasive solution that enhances airflow resistance and reduces perceived nasal congestion, applicable to both normal and abnormal nasal anatomy.
Implementation Method 1
Devices and methods that utilize energy delivery elements, such as RF energy, ultrasound, and mechanical reshaping, to reshape and strengthen nasal tissues
Data Source
AI summary
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.