Sub-mucosal Neuroablation Probe for Rhinitis Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for chronic rhinitis, such as surgical removal or cauterization of nasal turbinate tissues, often result in short-term benefits and significant adverse effects like bleeding, crusting, and nasal dryness, while methods targeting the vidian nerve can cause irreversible complications like dry eyes.
Innovation Solution
A surgical probe configured for sub-mucosal neuroablation of the posterior nasal nerve, using tissue heating, freezing, or neurolytic solution delivery, with precise visualization and control to ablate nerve branches innervating the turbinates, minimizing collateral damage and avoiding complications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If surgical removal or ablation of inferior turbinate tissue is performed, then nasal obstruction is reduced, but postoperative complications such as crusting, infection, and nasal dryness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates only the problematic posterior nasal nerve from the nasal cavity through a minimally invasive approach. The nerve is selectively ablated at its origin near the sphenopalatine foramen, leaving the turbinate tissue and mucosa intact. This extraction of the specific neural target resolves the contradiction by removing the source of symptoms without causing the tissue damage that leads to crusting, infection, and dryness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses an intermediary approach by targeting the posterior nasal nerve as the mediator between the brain and the nasal mucosa. By ablating this neural intermediary rather than the mucosal tissue itself, the treatment interrupts the pathological signaling responsible for rhinitis symptoms while preserving the structural integrity of the nasal tissues, thereby avoiding postoperative complications.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If vidian neurectomy is performed to decrease parasympathetic tone, then hypersecretion is reduced, but irreversible complications such as dry eyes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by selectively targeting only the posterior nasal nerve and its branches that innervate the inferior turbinate, while preserving the vidian nerve and other neural structures. This localized approach allows for reduction of parasympathetic tone in the nasal mucosa to control hypersecretion, while maintaining intact the neural pathways to the lacrimal gland, thereby preventing dry eyes and other irreversible complications.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the autonomic innervation of the nasal cavity by specifically addressing only the posterior nasal nerve pathway. This segmentation allows selective modification of nasal secretomotor function without affecting other cranial nerve functions, thereby achieving control of hypersecretion while avoiding systemic or widespread neurological side effects.
3Ease of operation
If electrocautery or laser is used to ablate turbinate tissue, then nasal breathing improves temporarily, but benefits are short-term and tissue damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces mechanical tissue ablation (electrocautery, laser, or surgical resection) with neural ablation using radiofrequency or cryotherapy. Instead of physically removing or burning turbinate tissue, the treatment targets the posterior nasal nerve to interrupt pathological signaling. This substitution provides durable long-term benefits by modifying neural function rather than relying on gradual tissue regrowth, while avoiding the thermal damage and scarring associated with electrocautery and laser procedures.
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
Effectively reduces rhinitis symptoms by interrupting parasympathetic nerve signals with reduced risk of complications, providing long-term relief from nasal obstruction and hypersensitivity.
Implementation Method 1
The neuroablation implement may be configured for sub-mucosal neuroablation by radiofrequency energy heating
Implementation Method 2
The neuroablation implement may be configured for sub-mucosal neuroablation by cryotherapy freezing
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for treating rhinitis are described where the devices are configured to ablate a single nerve branch or multiple nerve branches of the posterior nasal nerves located within the nasal cavity. A surgical probe may be inserted into the sub-mucosal space of a lateral nasal wall and advanced towards a posterior nasal nerve associated with a middle nasal turbinate or an inferior nasal turbinate into a position proximate to the posterior nasal nerve where neuroablation of the posterior nasal nerve may be performed with the surgical probe. The probe device may utilize a visible light beacon that provides trans-illumination of the sub-mucosal tissue or an expandable structure disposed in the vicinity of the distal end of the probe shaft to enable the surgeon to visualize the sub-mucosal position of the distal end of the surgical probe from inside the nasal cavity using, e.g., an endoscope.