摘要:
A method and apparatus for ablating at least a portion of a nasal concha. The apparatus includes a catheter having a distal portion with a dimension configured for positioning through a nostril of a patient into a nasal meatus adjacent a nasal concha, and an energy delivery device coupled to the catheter distal portion including one or more energy delivering probes extendable from the catheter distal portion a sufficient distance to be inserted into an interior of the nasal concha to deliver ablative energy therein. The distal portion of the apparatus may also include an expandable member, expansion of the expandable member within the nasal meatus immobilizing the distal portion within the nasal meatus.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for ablating at least a portion of a nasal concha. The apparatus includes a catheter having a distal portion with a dimension configured for positioning through a nostril of a patient into a nasal meatus adjacent a nasal concha, and an energy delivery device coupled to the catheter distal portion including one or more energy delivering probes extendable from the catheter distal portion a sufficient distance to be inserted into an interior of the nasal concha to deliver ablative energy therein. The distal portion of the apparatus may also include an expandable member, expansion of the expandable member within the nasal meatus immobilizing the distal portion within the nasal meatus.
摘要:
A method for reducing a volume of a tongue provides a source of ablation energy and an ablation energy delivery device. At least a portion of the ablation energy delivery device is positioned in an interior of the tongue. A sufficient amount of energy is delivered from the energy delivery device into the interior of the tongue to debulk a section of the tongue without damaging a hypoglossal nerve. Thereafter, the at least portion of the ablation energy delivery device is removed from the interior of the tongue.
摘要:
An apparatus reduces the volume of selected sections of a tongue. The apparatus includes a catheter means. An electrode means is at least partially positioned in an interior of the catheter means. The electrode means is configured to deliver sufficient electromagnetic energy to ablate an interior of the tongue without damaging a hypoglossal nerve of the tongue. An electrode advancement and retraction means is coupled to the electrode means to advance and retract at least a portion of the electrode means in and out of a selected tongue surface. A cabling means is coupled to the electrode means.
摘要:
The invention provides a method and system for precision placement of ablation apparatus. An ablation catheter having a plurality of electrodes and having a radius of curvature selected responsive to a size of a patient's tongue, is placed near to the tongue and offset from a gag-response region in the throat, preferably using an optical viewing apparatus and a view port in the catheter. The ablation catheter is coupled to a baseplate and to a measuring device for indicating an offset of a selected reference point of the ablation catheter from the baseplate. The baseplate is coupled to a reference body structure, such as the jaw, lips or teeth. In cases where multiple ablation operations are conducted, the ablation catheter (or a replacement ablation catheter) is coupled to the baseplate so that the selected reference point has the same distance from the baseplate, and thus from the reference body structure. The reference body structure is a selected region of the lips and teeth, and the baseplate is coupled thereto by filling that region with a dental cement or other quick-setting compound, so as to create a dental fixture which is fitted to the patient.
摘要:
A method for reducing a volume of a tongue in an oral cavity provides an ablation apparatus. The ablation apparatus including a source of electromagnetic energy and one or more electromagnetic energy delivery electrodes coupled to the electromagnetic energy source. A distal end of the ablation apparatus is introduced into the oral cavity. The distal end of the ablation apparatus is positioned outside of an oral cavity gag response zone. At least one electrode is introduced into an interior of the tongue when the distal end of the ablation apparatus is positioned outside of the oral cavity gag response zone. A sufficient amount of electromagnetic energy is delivered from the electrode into the interior of the tongue to debulk a section of the tongue without damaging the hypoglossal nerve. The electrode is then removed from the interior of the tongue.
摘要:
An apparatus for ablating at least a portion of a uvula includes an electrode with a proximal end and a distal end sufficiently sharpened to pierce an exterior of the uvula without a retainer device supporting the uvula. An advancement and retraction device coupled to the electrode is configured to advance the electrode distal end through an exterior surface of the uvula and into an interior region of the uvula. The advancement and retraction device is configured to retract the electrode distal end from the interior of the uvula. A handle is coupled to the electrode proximal and, and a cable is coupled to the electrode to deliver energy thereto.
摘要:
A method for debulking the tongue provides an ablation apparatus including a source of electromagnetic energy and one or more electromagnetic energy delivery electrodes coupled to the electromagnetic energy source. At least one electrode is advanced into an interior of the tongue. Electromagnetic energy is delivered from the electrode to debulk an interior section of the tongue without damaging a hypoglossal nerve. The electrode is then retracted from the interior of the tongue.