Nasal implant introduced through an injection technique

Abstract

A method for non-surgically treating an internal nasal valve of a patient comprising, injecting a working device into the internal nasal valve of the patient, wherein the injected working device in the nasal tissue causes an alteration of an internal or external nasal valve. A device introduced by injection into the nose, allowing for structural support or tilling of defects in the nose, and causing a change in external shape of the nose. The device and inserts and implants described also have use in cosmetic applications relating to the facial tissue.

1 . A delivery system, the delivery system comprising:
 an introducing needle;   an implant having a length, width and thickness sized for said implant to reside within soft tissue of a nose and which will fit within a core of the introducing needle,   wherein said implant has a stiffness to resist bending in the nasal tissue of the patient, and   wherein the implant is structurally preformed to a desired shape or shapeable after insertion to alter the shape of tissue within the nose,   wherein the implant further includes one or more sutures to assist in guiding the placement of the implant.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus for use in the treatment of a nasal valve condition of a patient's nose where said treatment includes placing an implant in soft tissue of the nose surrounding the internal nasal value, said apparatus comprising:
 an introduction needle configured to contain the implant, the introduction needle comprising an advancement shaft, handle portion, and stop mechanism, the stop mechanism configured to control movement of the advancement shaft;   an implant having a length, width and thickness sized for said implant to reside within the soft tissue of the nose and which will fit within a core of the introduction needle,   wherein said implant further has a stiffness to resist bending in the nasal tissue of the patient,   wherein the implant is structurally preformed to a desired shape or shapeable after insertion to alter the shape of tissue within the nose, and   wherein the implant further comprises one or more sutures to assist in guiding the placement of the implant.   
     
     
         3 . An apparatus for use in a treatment of a nasal valve collapse where said treatment includes placing of an implant in a nose, said apparatus comprising:
 an introduction needle configured to contain the implant, the introduction needle comprising an advancement shaft that controls movement of the implant out of the introduction needle;   an implant having a length, width and thickness sized for said implant to fit within a core of the introduction needle and to reside within the nose,   wherein said implant is structurally preformed to a desired shape or shapeable after insertion to alter the shape of tissue within the nose,   wherein the structure is further selected to have a stiffness that will resist bending of the nasal tissue of the patient, and   wherein the implant further comprises a suture attached to and extending from each of a first and second end of the implant to assist in guiding the placement of the implant.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the material for the implant is a bioabsorbable polymer selected from the group consisting of Poly-L-lactic acid, Poly-dl-lactic acid, Poly-e-caprolactone, and Poly-glycolic acid. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the material for the implant is a metal or metal alloy selected from the group consisting of titanium-containing alloys, platinum-tungsten alloys, nickel-containing alloys, nickel-titanium alloys, nitinol, and malleable metals. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the material for the implant is a polymer selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the implant is made of two or more materials. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the implant further comprises magnetic resonance imaging visible material. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the magnetic resonance imaging visible material comprises bands of material disposed on either end of the implant. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the implant is made of braided or woven material from a single material, and wherein the braided or woven material comprises pores configured to allow ingrowth of tissue after implantation. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the implant includes a suture extending from a trailing end of the implant. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the suture is made of absorbable material. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the introduction needle further comprises a stop mechanism that controls movement of the advancement shaft after the introduction needle arrives at a desired location in the nose. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the sutures have a diameter substantially similar to a diameter of the implant.