US 11998262

US Patent 11998262, titled "Systems and methods for improving sleep with therapeutic nasal treatment," was issued to Neurent Medical Ltd. on June 4, 2024, from an application filed on January 12, 2024. The sole inventor listed is David Townley.

Abstract:
The patent describes systems and methods aimed at improving a patient's sleep by treating conditions such as rhinitis, congestion, and rhinorrhea within the sino-nasal cavity. The goal is to reduce or eliminate associated symptoms like nasal congestion, coughing, sneezing, and nasal or throat irritation and itching. The disclosed devices feature a retractable and expandable multi-segment end effector and an elongate body, designed to offer precise control and feedback to an operator during medical procedures.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1: This claim outlines a method to improve sleep by addressing rhinitis, congestion, or rhinorrhea. The method involves delivering energy to specific target sites within the patient's nasal cavity. This energy either disrupts nerve signals to elements that produce mucus or cause mucosal swelling, and/or induces localized oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) in these elements. This action reduces mucus production and swelling, thereby alleviating symptoms like nasal congestion, coughing, or sneezing, and ultimately enhancing nasal breathability to improve sleep.
• Independent Claim 10: This claim describes a treatment device for improving sleep by treating rhinitis, congestion, or rhinorrhea. The device comprises:
  • A handle for operation.
  • An elongate body extending from the handle, equipped with electrodes along its length. These electrodes are configured to deliver energy to tissue, specifically the inferior turbinate, at a level sufficient to reduce swelling and improve airflow in the nasal passage.
  • A retractable and expandable multi-segment end effector, connected to the elongate body, which also features energy delivery elements. When expanded, this end effector positions its energy elements to contact specific target sites in the nasal cavity associated with postganglionic parasympathetic nerve fibers that innervate the nasal mucosa, therapeutically modulating these nerves.
• Independent Claim 17: This claim details a method for improving a patient's sleep by treating rhinitis, congestion, or rhinorrhea using a treatment device. The method includes:
  • Advancing the device's end effector into the nasal cavity.
  • Deploying the end effector, which has a proximal (front) and a distal (back) segment, each with energy delivery elements. Upon deployment, the proximal segment is positioned around part of the middle turbinate (a structure in the nose), and the distal segment is positioned in a cavity behind the middle turbinate.
  • Delivering energy via the proximal segment's elements to the middle turbinate tissue to therapeutically modulate associated neural structures.
  • Delivering energy via the distal segment's elements to the tissue in the posterior cavity to therapeutically modulate its associated neural structures, thereby improving nasal breathability.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
As of April 26, 2026, the provided patent information indicates that a PTAB case, IPR2025-01124, was filed related to US11998262 but was "Not Instituted - Procedural." The patent also mentions "First worldwide family litigation filed." While these indicate active legal proceedings concerning the patent, a direct entry or specific case for US11998262 within the CAFC 2026 dockets could not be definitively confirmed through the available search capabilities.