Method and apparatus for treating peripheral olfactory dysfunction

Abstract

Method and apparatus for treating peripheral olfactory dysfunction are described herein. One method may include introducing a treatment device into a nasal cavity of the patient, the treatment device having a proximal end, a distal end, an elongated shaft therebetween, and a treatment end effector disposed on or near the distal end. The distal end of the treatment device may be advanced into proximity of a cribriform plate within the nasal cavity and at least one olfactory neuron may be ablated through the cribriform plate via the treatment end effector to reduce at least one symptom of olfactory dysfunction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for treating peripheral olfactory dysfunction in a patient, comprising:
 introducing a treatment device into a nasal cavity of the patient having at least one symptom of olfactory dysfunction, the treatment device having a proximal end, a distal end, an elongated shaft therebetween, and a treatment end effector disposed on or near the distal end;   advancing the distal end of the treatment device into proximity of a cribriform plate within the nasal cavity;   conforming the treatment end effector to a surface of an olfactory mucosa; and   ablating at least one olfactory neuron through the surface of the olfactory mucosa and via the treatment end effector to reduce at least one symptom of olfactory dysfunction.