Endoscopic Olfactory Neuron Ablation via Cribriform Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for peripheral olfactory dysfunction, such as phantosmia, are either ineffective or carry significant risks due to invasive surgical procedures, and there is a need for a minimally invasive method to regenerate olfactory neurons without causing injury to anatomical structures.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive apparatus and method that uses cryogenic or other energy-based ablation techniques to reversibly destroy malfunctioning olfactory neurons, prompting regeneration of functional neurons by navigating through the nasal cavity under endoscopic visualization, with a device designed to ablate olfactory neurons over the cribriform plate, ensuring precise targeting and minimizing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical excision of the olfactory epithelium is performed to treat peripheral olfactory dysfunction, then olfactory function can be restored, but the procedure carries significant risks including cerebrospinal fluid leak, incomplete removal, and general surgical complications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical surgical excision with energy-based ablation systems (radiofrequency, microwave, ultrasonic, or cryogenic energy) to destroy malfunctioning olfactory neurons. This substitution eliminates the need for physical cutting and suturing, thereby removing risks of cerebrospinal fluid leak and surgical trauma while maintaining treatment effectiveness through controlled energy delivery to the target tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an energy-mediated ablation process as an intermediary between diagnosis and treatment. Instead of direct surgical contact, energy fields (electromagnetic, acoustic, or thermal) serve as intermediaries to selectively destroy pathological neurons. This intermediary approach allows precise targeting through endoscopic guidance without requiring direct mechanical access to the olfactory epithelium.
2Reliability
If conventional surgical procedures are used to remove olfactory mucosa, then olfactory dysfunction can be resolved, but the procedure is technically difficult and requires intensive surgery under general anesthesia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical surgical procedures with energy-based ablation delivered through minimally invasive endoscopic catheters. The energy delivery systems (radiofrequency electrodes, microwave antennas, ultrasonic transducers, or cryogenic probes) can be introduced through small nasal passages without requiring extensive surgical exposure, thereby simplifying the overall procedural complexity while maintaining treatment efficacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential therapeutic function from complex surgical procedures by isolating the energy delivery mechanism. Instead of performing comprehensive surgical removal of olfactory mucosa, the invention extracts only the necessary ablation function and delivers it through a simplified endoscopic approach, eliminating the need for general anesthesia and extensive surgical infrastructure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive ablation techniques are used to treat olfactory neurons, then surgical risks are reduced, but precise targeting of olfactory neurons over the cribriform plate is required to avoid injury to anatomical structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical surgical targeting with energy field localization guided by endoscopic visualization. Energy delivery is confined to the immediate vicinity of the ablated tissue through focused electromagnetic fields, microwave radiation, ultrasonic waves, or cryogenic cooling zones. This energy confinement, combined with real-time endoscopic imaging, provides precise targeting without requiring complex mechanical positioning systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating energy delivery to the specific region of malfunctioning olfactory neurons while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. Each ablation modality (radiofrequency, microwave, ultrasonic, or cryogenic) creates a localized treatment zone defined by energy field distribution or thermal gradient, allowing selective destruction of pathological tissue without affecting adjacent anatomical structures.
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
This approach allows for safer and more effective regeneration of olfactory neurons, reducing the risk of surgical complications and promoting the return of olfactory function by causing localized neurolysis, which can lead to the resolution of olfactory dysfunction without the need for intensive surgery.
Implementation Method 1
uses cryogenic or other energy-based ablation techniques to reversibly destroy malfunctioning olfactory neurons
Implementation Method 2
uses cryogenic or other energy-based ablation techniques to reversibly destroy malfunctioning olfactory neurons
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus for treating peripheral olfactory dysfunction are described herein. One method may include introducing a treatment device into a nasal cavity of the patient, the treatment device having a proximal end, a distal end, an elongated shaft therebetween, and a treatment end effector disposed on or near the distal end. The distal end of the treatment device may be advanced into proximity of a cribriform plate within the nasal cavity and at least one olfactory neuron may be ablated through the cribriform plate via the treatment end effector to reduce at least one symptom of olfactory dysfunction.