Nasal Cavity Treatment Apparatus

Abstract

An optical therapy device for providing therapeutic light to a person's nasal cavity includes a body and at least one UV light source in or on the body. A distal end of the body is configured to be inserted into the person's nasal cavity. The body can be configured to be hand-held. The optical therapy device is configured such that the UV light source emits a dose of UV light toward tissue in the patient's nasal cavity.

1 . A treatment apparatus for a nasal cavity comprising: 
 (a) a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end; and    (b) an expandable member positioned at the distal end of the tubular member adapted to transfer energy to or from the nasal cavity of a patient.    
   
   
       2 . The treatment apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the apparatus is adapted to treat one or more paranasal sinuses of the nasal cavity.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the apparatus is adapted to travel over a guidewire.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the expandable member is constructed from a material adapted to permit energy transfer from the expandable member, through the material, and to the nasal cavity structure or from the nasal cavity structure, through the material and to the expandable member.  
   
   
       5 . The treatment apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the expandable member is constructed from a material adapted to facilitate energy transfer from the expandable member to the nasal cavity or to the expandable structure from the nasal cavity.  
   
   
       6 . The treatment apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the tube is flexible.  
   
   
       7 . The treatment apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the tubular member has an angular tip.  
   
   
       8 . The treatment apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the energy transferred is heat energy.  
   
   
       9 . The treatment apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the energy transferred is light energy.  
   
   
       10 . The treatment apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the apparatus is adapted to further comprise one or more semiconductor structures at the distal end.  
   
   
       11 . The treatment apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the semiconductor structure is an LED.  
   
   
       12 . The treatment apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a mechanized device positioned at the distal end which automates energy delivery to the nasal cavity.  
   
   
       13 . A method of treating a nasal cavity comprising the steps of: 
 (a) inserting an apparatus comprising a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end, and an expandable member positioned at the distal end of the tubular member adapted to transfer energy through a material of the expandable member;    (b) expanding the expandable member within the nasal cavity of the patient to expose a surface area of a structure;    (c) transferring energy through the expandable member to a structure within the nasal cavity.    
   
   
       14 . The method of treating a nasal cavity according to  claim 13  wherein the transferring step comprises withdrawing energy from the nasal structure.  
   
   
       15 . The method of treating a nasal cavity according to  claim 13  wherein the transferring step comprises cooling the structure within the nasal cavity.  
   
   
       16 . The method of treating a nasal cavity according to  claim 13  wherein the tubular member is flexible.  
   
   
       17 . The method of treating a nasal cavity according to  claim 13  wherein the distal end of the tubular member is adapted to access a sinus cavity.  
   
   
       18 . The method of treating a nasal cavity according to  claim 13  wherein the distal end of the tubular member is angled.  
   
   
       19 . The method of treating a nasal cavity according to  claim 13  wherein the distal end of the tubular member further comprises a mechanism which automates the dose of energy delivered to the nasal cavity.  
   
   
       20 . The method of treating a nasal cavity according to  claim 13  further comprising the step of accessing a nasal cavity with a guidewire prior to inserting an apparatus comprising a tubular member into the nasal cavity of the patient.  
   
   
       21 . The method of treating a nasal cavity according to  claim 20  wherein the expanding step comprises applying pressure to the mucosa of the nasal cavity to transfer energy in a substantially even manner.  
   
   
       22 . A method of treating a disease of the sinuses comprising the steps of: 
 (a) inserting an apparatus comprising a tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and an expandable member positioned at the distal end of the tubular member adapted to transfer energy within a nasal cavity of a patient;    (b) expanding the expandable member within the nasal cavity of the patient to substantially contact the mucosa of the nasal cavity; and    (c) transferring energy through the expandable device to the structure within the nasal cavity.    
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising the step of accessing a nasal cavity with a guidewire prior to inserting an apparatus comprising a tubular member into the nasal cavity of the patient.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising the step of adding heat to the structure of the sinus cavity through the expandable member.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising the step of applying light through the expandable member.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the light is ultraviolet light.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the ultraviolet light has a wavelength below  320  nm.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the structure is the mucosa of the nasal cavity.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the structure is a nasal polyp.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the structure is one or more of the turbinates.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the apparatus comprises an LED  
   
   
       32 . A treatment apparatus for a nasal cavity comprising: 
 (a) a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end; and    (b) a device positioned at the distal end of the tubular member adapted to transfer energy to or from the nasal cavity of a patient.    
   
   
       33 . The treatment apparatus of  claim 32  wherein said device emits electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths lower than 400 nm  
   
   
       34 . The treatment apparatus of  claim 32  wherein said device is an LED  
   
   
       35 . The treatment apparatus of  claim 32  wherein said device is a cooling device.  
   
   
       36 . The treatment apparatus of  claim 32  wherein said device emits electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths greater 700 nm.  
   
   
       37 . The treatment apparatus of  claim 36  wherein said device is an LED.