Systems and methods for turbinate reduction

Abstract

A system and method for turbinate reduction. The present disclosure includes an electrosurgical device for treating tissue at a target site. The device includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal portion including a return electrode and an electrode holder. The shaft also has at least one active electrode on the distal portion having proximal and distal portions and a plurality of suction holes disposed therebetween. These holes are fluidly connected to a fluid pumping lumen positioned within the electrode holder, and this lumen connects to a fluid pumping element positioned along the shaft. The plurality of holes are of different sizes and are generally arranged such that larger sized holes are positioned toward the proximal portion of the electrode, while smaller sized holes are typically positioned toward the distal portion of the electrode.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of electrosurgery and, more particularly, to surgical systems and methods that apply high frequency electrical energy to ablate, reduce and treat target tissue, such as tissue within the nasal region. The invention is particularly suitable for turbinate reduction surgery and as a treatment for excessive nasal drainage or dyspnea. Background technique [0002] The sinuses are air-filled cavities on the inside of the facial bones that open into the nasal cavity. Sinusitis is inflammation of the mucous membranes of one or more paranasal sinus cavities. Sinusitis is often associated with a viral or bacterial upper respiratory infection that spreads to the sinuses. When the sinus openings become blocked, the cavity fills, creating deep pain and pressure. Retronasal or nasal drainage, pressure nasal congestion, headaches, sinus infections, and nasal polyps are often the most associated with chronic sinu...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Healthy tissue, cartilage, bone and / or cranial nerves are often located in very close proximity to the sinus tissue, making the need to maintain a minimum depth of tissue damage which cannot always be ensured by lasers

[0008] Treatments involving devices based on RF electrical energy have been described previously, where the electrodes are placed primarily at the tip of the device and are therefore limited in effective size due to the small diameter of the device required for access to the nasal passages.

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