Systems and methods for electrosurgical treatment of turbinates
US7442191B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 26, 2001 |
| Grant date | Oct 28, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 22, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2/2493
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides systems and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within the head and neck of a patient's body, particularly including tissue in the ear, nose and throat. In one aspect, a method is provided for reducing the volume of enlarge swollen tissue in the patient's nose, such as swollen nasal tissue, mucus membranes, turbinates, polyps, neoplasms, cartilage (e.g., the nasal septum) or the like. In particular, the turbinates are treated by positioning one or more electrode terminal(s) adjacent to the turbinates, and delivering electrically conductive fluid, such as isotonic saline, to the nasal cavity to substantially surround the electrode terminal(s) with the fluid. High frequency voltage is applied between the electrode terminal(s) and one or more return electrode(s) to remove a small tissue segment, channel or hole from the region near or in the turbinates to shrink the turbinates and prevent swelling, due to the formation of scar tissue as the wound heals. The high frequency voltage may be selected to effect a small amount of thermal damage to the walls of the channel or hole to facilitate the formation of scar tissue wit…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.