Devices for therapeutic nasal neuromodulation and associated methods and systems

Abstract

Devices for therapeutic nasal neuromodulation and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A system for therapeutic neuromodulation in a nasal region configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, a shaft and a therapeutic element at a distal portion of the shaft. The shaft can locate the distal portion intraluminally at a target site inferior to a patient's sphenopalatine foramen. The therapeutic element can include an energy delivery element configured to therapeutically modulate postganglionic parasympathetic nerves at microforamina of a palatine bone of the human patient for the treatment of rhinitis or other indications. In other embodiments, the therapeutic element can be configured to therapeutically modulate nerves that innervate the frontal, ethmoidal, sphenoidal, and maxillary sinuses for the treatment of chronic sinusitis.

1 .- 103 . (canceled) 
     
     
         104 . A method for treating a condition within a nasal cavity of a patient, the method comprising:
 advancing a cryotherapeutic applicator of a treatment device to a target site within a nasal cavity of a patient, wherein the target site is associated with one or more posterior nasal nerves; and   delivering, via the cryotherapeutic applicator, cryotherapeutic cooling to the target site at a level sufficient to therapeutically modulate one or more posterior nasal nerves innervating nasal mucosa, wherein the cooling is provided in targeted manner and avoids collateral damage to a lacrimal nerve to thereby avoid causing dry eye while treating the condition within the nasal cavity.   
     
     
         105 . The method of  claim 104 , wherein delivery of the cryotherapeutic cooling to the target site interrupts at least one neural pathway innervating nasal mucosa. 
     
     
         106 . The method of  claim 105 , wherein delivery of the cryotherapeutic cooling to the target site causes multiple points of interruption of neural branches associated with the one or more posterior nasal nerves to thereby decrease production of mucus and/or mucosal engorgement. 
     
     
         107 . The method of  claim 106 , wherein delivery of the cryotherapeutic cooling to the target site causes multiple points of interruption of neural branches extending through foramina and microforamina of a palatine bone to thereby decrease production of mucus and/or mucosal engorgement. 
     
     
         108 . The method of  claim 105 , wherein delivery of the cryotherapeutic cooling to the target site disrupts multiple neural signals to mucus producing and/or mucosal engorgement elements within a nose of the patient. 
     
     
         109 . The method of  claim 104 , wherein cryotherapeutic cooling is delivered to the target site at a level sufficient to therapeutically modulate the one or more posterior nasal nerves innervating nasal mucosa while minimizing and/or preventing collateral damage to one or more preganglionic secretomotor fibers to the lacrimal gland. 
     
     
         110 . The method of  claim 104 , wherein the cryotherapeutic applicator is advanced to into the nasal cavity under image guidance. 
     
     
         111 . The method of  claim 110 , wherein the cryotherapeutic applicator is advanced to into the nasal cavity endoscopically with the aid of an endoscope. 
     
     
         112 . The method of  claim 104 , wherein therapeutically modulating the one or more posterior nasal nerves innervating nasal mucosa is accomplished by ablating neural tissue. 
     
     
         113 . The method of  claim 112 , wherein the ablation is cryoablation. 
     
     
         114 . The method of  claim 113 , wherein delivering cryotherapeutic cooling to the target site comprises supplying a refrigerant to the cryotherapeutic applicator. 
     
     
         115 . The method of  claim 114 , wherein the refrigerant comprises a compressed or condensed gas that is stored in at least a substantially liquid phase. 
     
     
         116 . The method of  claim 115 , wherein the refrigerant comprises at least one of nitrous oxide (N 2 O), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), and hydrofluorocarbon. 
     
     
         117 . The method of  claim 114 , wherein the cryotherapeutic applicator is cooled to a temperature sufficient to cause therapeutically effective, cryogenic posterior nasal nerve modulation. 
     
     
         118 . The method of  claim 114 , wherein the treatment device further comprises a controller operably coupled to the cryotherapeutic applicator by a shaft. 
     
     
         119 . The method of  claim 118 , wherein the controller comprises a mechanism for controlling the supplying of refrigerant to the cryotherapeutic applicator to thereby control delivery of the cryotherapeutic cooling to the target site. 
     
     
         120 . The method of  claim 114 , wherein the cryotherapeutic applicator comprises an expandable body. 
     
     
         121 . The method of  claim 120 , wherein the cryotherapeutic applicator comprises a balloon. 
     
     
         122 . The method of  claim 104 , wherein the condition is selected from the group consisting of allergic rhinitis, non-allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinitis, acute rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, acute sinusitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, acute rhinosinusitis, and medical resistant rhinitis. 
     
     
         123 . The method of  claim 122 , wherein treatment of the condition is intended to address nasal congestion or obstruction.