Methods and devices to treat nasal airways

Abstract

Methods and devices for treating nasal airways are provided. Such devices and methods may improve airflow through an internal and/or external nasal valve, and comprise the use of mechanical re-shaping, energy application and other treatments to modify the shape, structure, and/or air flow characteristics of an internal nasal valve, an external nasal valve or other nasal airways.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for reshaping a nasal airway in a patient, the method comprising:
 positioning an inflatable balloon of a reshaping device in an uninflated configuration between a nasal septum and a lateral wall of the nasal airway;   inflating the inflatable balloon to an inflated configuration to cause the inflatable balloon to press against the lateral wall;   maintaining the inflatable balloon in the inflated configuration within the nasal airway for a period of time; and   removing the inflatable balloon from the nasal airway, wherein a diameter of the nasal airway remains expanded after removal of the reshaping device and healing of the lateral wall.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable balloon is positioned between an upper portion of the nasal septum and the lateral wall, wherein the inflatable balloon is inflated until a nasal valve angle of the nasal airway reaches a desired size, and wherein the diameter of the nasal airway comprises a diameter at or near a nasal valve of the nasal airway. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the expanded diameter of the nasal airway causes a decrease in airflow resistance or a decrease in perceived airflow resistance in the nasal airway. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying energy to the lateral wall with the inflatable balloon to fix the lateral wall in a desired conformational shape before, during or after inflating the balloon. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the energy is applied via an energy delivery member coupled with an outer surface of the inflatable balloon. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein applying the energy comprises inflating the inflatable balloon with heated inflation fluid. 
     
     
         7 . A method of treating a patient's nasal airway, the method comprising:
 positioning a treatment element within the nasal airway adjacent to a nasal tissue to be treated; and   expanding the treatment element to apply sufficient force to the nasal tissue to alter a shape of the nasal tissue,   wherein the nasal tissue at least partially maintains the altered shape after the treating element is removed and the nasal tissue heals.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the method is performed without creating a surgical incision or implanting a surgical implant. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein expanding the treatment element comprises inflating a balloon. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising maintaining the treatment element in an expanded configuration within the nasal airway for a period of time. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising applying energy to the nasal tissue with the treatment element. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein applying energy comprises applying energy in a form selected from the group consisting of ultrasound, microwave, heat, radiofrequency, electrical, light and laser. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein applying energy comprises injuring the nasal tissue. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising, before applying energy, injecting a polymerizing liquid into or below the nasal tissue. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein expanding the treatment element and applying the energy modifies a mechanical property of the nasal tissue in a manner that increases a volumetric airflow rate of air flowing from an exterior of the patient's body into the patient's nasopharynx without changing a shape of an internal nasal valve. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the nasal tissue comprises at least one of tissue at a nasal valve or tissue adjacent a nasal valve, and wherein altering the shape of the tissue comprises expanding a diameter of the nasal airway at or near the nasal valve. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising delivering a cauterizing agent to the nasal tissue. 
     
     
         1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A device for treating a nasal airway in a patient, the device comprising:
 a handle;   a shaft extending from the handle and including an inflation lumen;   an inflatable cryotherapy balloon attached to a distal end of the shaft and sized to be inserted into a nostril, wherein an interior of the cryotherapy balloon is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen; and   a source of low-temperature liquid attachable to the handle so as to circulate the low-temperature liquid through the inflation lumen and the interior of the cryotherapy balloon to inflate the cryotherapy balloon and treat at least one target tissue in the nasal airway.   
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the low-temperature liquid comprises liquid nitrogen. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein an expanded diameter of the cryotherapy balloon is sized to reshape the at least one target tissue when the cryotherapy balloon is expanded. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the cryotherapy balloon is configured to remove energy from the at least one target tissue over an entire outer surface of the cryotherapy balloon. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the cryotherapy balloon is configured to deliver cryotherapy to a selected tissue depth, and wherein the at least one target tissue is located at the selected tissue depth.