US 12089889

US patent 12089889, titled "Systems and methods for therapeutic nasal treatment using handheld device," was filed on April 26, 2024, and issued on September 17, 2024. The inventor is David Townley. The patent is currently assigned to Neurent Medical Ltd.

Abstract:
The patent describes systems and methods for therapeutic nasal treatment using a handheld device. The device features a retractable and expandable multi-segment end effector. Once positioned at target sites within the nasal cavity, this end effector can expand to conform to specific anatomical structures. It includes at least two flexible segments, each designed with a unique geometry to complement the anatomy of different nasal cavity locations when deployed. These segments make contact with and conform to the shapes of the anatomical structures, accurately positioning one or more electrodes to deliver precise and focused radiofrequency (RF) thermal energy. This energy therapeutically modulates associated neural structures to treat nasal conditions.

Plain-language overview of independent claims:

• Independent Claim 1: This claim describes a handheld device for treating nasal conditions. The device includes an elongate body, a handle, and a multi-segment end effector. The end effector can retract and expand, and it has at least two flexible segments. When expanded, these segments conform to the shape of specific anatomical structures within the nasal cavity and position electrodes to deliver energy. The elongate body also has electrodes to deliver energy to tissue, potentially at different locations than the end effector. The handle has separate controls for deploying the end effector and for delivering energy, designed for comfortable one-handed operation. The device or elongate body may also feature markings to help the user orient the end effector inside the nasal cavity.
• Independent Claim 11: This claim outlines a method for improving a patient's sleep by treating conditions like rhinitis, congestion, or rhinorrhea in the sino-nasal cavity. The method involves delivering energy to one or more target sites within the sino-nasal cavity to disrupt neural signals or cause localized tissue hypoxia in mucus-producing and/or mucosal engorgement elements. This action reduces mucus production or mucosal engorgement, thereby lessening symptoms such as nasal congestion, coughing, sneezing, or nasal/throat irritation, and ultimately improving the patient's nasal breathability and sleep. The energy delivery causes thermal ablation of targeted tissue.
• Independent Claim 19: This claim describes a system for therapeutic nasal treatment. The system includes a console, an energy generator within the console, and a handheld neuromodulation device. The device comprises an elongate body, a handle, and a multi-segment end effector that is both retractable and expandable. The end effector has multiple electrodes, and the elongate body also has electrodes, both capable of delivering energy. The system is configured such that when the end effector is deployed and its electrodes contact target sites, and the elongate body's electrodes contact other target tissue, the energy generator can deliver energy to both sets of electrodes. This allows for simultaneous energy delivery to multiple, distinct target sites within the nasal cavity.

Litigation Search:
A search of the CAFC 2026 dockets for US patent 12089889 did not explicitly return any direct cases in the provided search results. However, the patent's own metadata indicates that the "Family has litigation" and that a "PTAB case IPR2025-01125 filed (Not Instituted - Procedural)" exists for US12089889B2. This suggests activity related to the patent's validity, though not a direct CAFC appellate case.