System and method to treat obstructive sleep apnea

Abstract

A system is provided to treat sleep apnea, with a method of use. The system includes a handpiece which includes at least one penetrating electrode configured to penetrate tissue and one or more temperature sensors. A processor is coupled with the one or more temperature sensors and the at least one penetrating electrode, and a memory is configured to store instructions executable by the processor. The instructions, when executed, are operable to emit, by the at least one penetrating electrode, RF energy from the electrodes to heat a region of a base of a tongue until a target energy is delivered to the region. The instructions are also operable to measure, by the one or more temperature sensors, the temperature of the region.

1 . A system to treat sleep apnea, the system comprising:
 at least one penetrating electrode operable to penetrate tissue at a location, and   a processor coupled with the at least one penetrating electrode, the processor operable to, when the at least one penetrating electrode is penetrating the tissue at the location:
 conduct a first radiofrequency (RF) ablation cycle by emitting RF energy from the at least one penetrating electrode to the location, 
 pause the emitting of the RF energy from the at least one penetrating electrode for a period of cooling time, and 
 conduct a second RF ablation cycle by heating the location by emitting RF energy from the at least one penetrating electrode. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more temperature sensors;   wherein the processor is further operable to determine, by the one or more temperature sensors while the emitting of the RF energy is paused, that a target cooling temperature is reached based on the temperature of the location.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the system is configured to conduct the second RF ablation cycle after the target cooling temperature is reached. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein,
 the system is configured to conduct the second RF ablation cycle after the period of cooling time has expired, and 
 the period of cooling time is a predetermined period set by a user of the system prior to use of the system. 
   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a microphone coupled to the processor, the microphone operable to receive a verbal instruction to permit a user to control the system.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 ,
 wherein,
 the verbal instruction, when received by the microphone, is operable to cause the system to perform one function of at least two functions, and 
 the at least two functions include activating the at least one penetrating electrode and de-activating the at least one penetrating electrode. 
   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a foot pedal coupled with the processor, the foot pedal operable to activate and de-activate the at least one penetrating electrode.   
     
     
         8 . A method to treat sleep apnea, the method comprising:
 conducting a first radiofrequency (RF) ablation cycle by emitting RF energy from at least one electrode penetrating tissue at a location;   pausing the emitting of the RF energy from the at least one electrode for a period of cooling time; and   conducting a second RF ablation cycle by heating the location by emitting RF energy from the at least one penetrating electrode.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein during the first RF ablation cycle, the at least one electrode is operable to heat the tissue at the location to a first target energy between about 500 J and about 700 J. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein during the second RF ablation cycle, the at least one electrode is operable to heat the tissue at the location to a second target energy between about 500 J and about 700 J. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 determining, by the one or more temperature sensors while the emitting of the RF energy is paused, that a target cooling temperature is reached based on the temperature of the location.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the target cooling temperature is between about 50° C. and about 70° C. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 ,
 wherein,
 during the first RF ablation cycle, the location is a first temperature less than or equal to a first target heating temperature, and 
 during the second RF ablation cycle, the location is a second temperature less than or equal to a second target heating temperature. 
   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one electrode is a penetrating electrode, and the at least one electrode penetrates a surface of the location of the tongue. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 injecting a tumescence fluid in the region of the tongue; and   positioning the at least one electrode at the region at the base of the