Methods and apparatus for treating rhinitis

Abstract

Apparatus and methods deliver treatment agents simultaneously with capnic gases. The capnic gases can enhance the effectiveness of the treatment agent for treating rhinitis, lower the dosage of drug or concentration of agent necessary to achieve a therapeutic result, or both. Exemplary capnic gases include carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, nitrous oxide, and dilute acid gases.

1 . A method for treating a patient, said method comprising: 
 administering a treatment agent selected to treat rhinitis to the patient; and    delivering a capnic gas to a nasal, oral, auricular, or ocular membrane of the patient;    wherein the systemic treatment agent and capnic gas are administered and delivered simultaneously.    
   
   
       2 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the treatment agent is selected from the group consisting of antihistamines, corticosteroids, leukotriene receptor antagonists, mast cell stabilizers, and decongestants (e.g., alpha-adrenergic agonists).  
   
   
       3 . A method as in  claim 2 , wherein the treatment agent comprises an antihistamine.  
   
   
       4 . A method as in  claim 2 , wherein the treatment agent comprises an H1 receptor antagonist selected from the group consisting of fexofenadine, cetirizine, loratidine, desloratadine, and azelastine.  
   
   
       5 . A method as in  claim 2 , wherein the treatment agent comprises a corticosteroid selected from the group consisting of fluticasone, mometasone, budesonide, triamcinolone, and flunisolide.  
   
   
       6 . A method as in  claim 2 , wherein the treatment agent comprises montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist.  
   
   
       7 . A method as in  claim 2 , wherein the treatment agent comprises ipratropium, an anticholonergic agent.  
   
   
       8 . A method as in  claim 2 , wherein the treatment agent comprises cromolyn, a mast cell stabilizer.  
   
   
       9 . A method as in  claim 2 , wherein the treatment agent comprises a decongestant selected from the group consisting of oxymetazoline and pseudoephedrine.  
   
   
       10 . A method as in  claim 2 , wherein the treatment agent comprises an alpha-adrenergic agonist.  
   
   
       11 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the capnic gas is delivered to a nasal or oral mucosa while the patient refrains from inhaling the capnic gas.  
   
   
       12 . A method as in  claim 11 , wherein the capnic gas is infused through a nostril and exits through a nostril and/or the mouth.  
   
   
       13 . A method as in  claim 11 , wherein the capnic gas is infused through the mouth and exits through at least one nostril and/or the mouth.  
   
   
       14 . A method as in any one of  claims 11  to  13 , wherein the capnic gas comprises carbon dioxide at a concentration of at least 50% by volume and is delivered at a controlled flow rate in the range from 0.5 cc/sec to 30 cc/sec.  
   
   
       15 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the gas is selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, nitrous oxide, and dilute acid gases.  
   
   
       16 . A method as in  claim 15 , wherein the gas comprises carbon dioxide.  
   
   
       17 . A method as in  claim 16 , wherein the carbon dioxide is present at a concentration of at least 50% by volume.  
   
   
       18 . A method as in  claim 17 , wherein the carbon dioxide is substantially pure.  
   
   
       19 . A method for treating a patient for rhinitis, said method comprising: 
 administering a treatment agent selected to treat rhinitis in the patient; and    delivering a capnic gas to a nasal, oral, auricular, or optical membrane of the patient;    wherein the rhinitis medication and the capnic gas are administered and delivered within sixty minutes of each other.    
   
   
       20 . A method as in  claim 19 , wherein the treatment agent is selected from the group consisting of antihistamines, corticosteroids, leukotriene receptor antagonists, mast cell stabilizers, and decongestants.  
   
   
       21 . A method as in  claim 20 , wherein the treatment agent comprises an antihistamine.  
   
   
       22 . A method as in  claim 20 , wherein the treatment agent comprises an H1 receptor antagonist selected from the group consisting of fexofenadine, cetirizine, loratidine, desloratadine, and azelastine.  
   
   
       23 . A method as in  claim 20 , wherein the treatment agent comprises a corticosteroid selected from the group consisting of fluticasone, mometasone, budesonide, triamcinolone, and flunisolide.  
   
   
       24 . A method as in  claim 20 , wherein the treatment agent comprises montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist.  
   
   
       25 . A method as in  claim 20 , wherein the treatment agent comprises ipratropium, an anticholonergic agent.  
   
   
       26 . A method as in  claim 20 , wherein the systemic treatment gent comprises cromolyn, a mast cell stabilizer.  
   
   
       27 . A method as in  claim 20 , wherein the treatment agent comprises a decongestant selected from the group consisting of oxymetazoline and pseudoephedrine.  
   
   
       28 . A method as in  claim 20 , wherein the treatment agent comprises an alpha-adrenergic agonist.  
   
   
       29 . A method as in  claim 19 , wherein the capnic gas is delivered to a nasal or oral mucosa while the patient refrains from inhaling the capnic gas.  
   
   
       30 . A method as in  claim 29 , wherein the capnic gas is infused through a nostril and exits through a nostril and/or the mouth.  
   
   
       31 . A method as in  claim 29 , wherein the capnic gas is infused through the mouth and exits through at least one nostril and/or the mouth.  
   
   
       32 . A method as in  claim 29 , wherein the capnic gas comprises carbon dioxide at a concentration of at least 50% by volume and is delivered at a controlled flow rate in the range from 0.5 cc/sec to 30 cc/sec.  
   
   
       33 . A method as in  claim 19 , wherein the capnic gas is selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, nitrous oxide, and dilute acid gases.  
   
   
       34 . A method as in  claim 33 , wherein the gas comprises carbon dioxide.  
   
   
       35 . A method as in  claim 34 , wherein the carbon dioxide is present at a concentration of at least 50% by volume.  
   
   
       36 . A method as in  claim 35 , wherein the carbon dioxide is substantially pure.