US 12096974

Here's a concise summary of US Patent 12096974:

US Patent 12096974: Summary

• Title: Systems and methods for therapeutic nasal treatment using handheld device
• Assignee: Neurent Medical Ltd.
• Inventor: David Townley
• Filing Date: 2024-04-26
• Issue Date: 2024-09-24
• Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for improving sleep by treating rhinitis, congestion, and/or rhinorrhea. This is achieved by reducing or eliminating associated symptoms such as nasal congestion, coughing, sneezing, and nasal or throat irritation and itching. The proposed treatment device includes an elongate body and a retractable and expandable multi-segment end effector, both capable of delivering energy. This design allows for precise control and feedback during procedures, enabling targeted energy delivery to specific sites within the nasal passage and cavity to cause multi-point interruption of neural signals and/or local hypoxia without significant collateral damage. The device is minimally invasive and can be used in an office setting under local anesthetic, aiming for long-term symptom relief.

Litigation Status (as of 2026-05-18):
The patent family is currently involved in litigation. A US case (1:24-cv-01070) was filed in the Delaware District Court. Additionally, a PTAB case, IPR2025-01127, was filed, though it was "Not Instituted - Procedural." Searches for these cases or patent 12096974 within CAFC 2026 dockets did not yield specific docket entries for the Federal Circuit in 2026. This indicates that any potential appeals related to these cases may not yet be docketed at the CAFC for the current year.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1 (Method for improving patient's sleep): This claim describes a method to improve a person's sleep by treating nasal problems like rhinitis, congestion, or runny nose. The method involves applying energy to specific areas inside the nose. This energy aims to disrupt nerve signals or cause a localized lack of oxygen in the tissues that produce mucus or cause swelling. The overall goal is to reduce mucus production and swelling, thereby lessening symptoms and improving the patient's nasal breathing.
• Claim 10 (Therapeutic device - structural): This claim describes a medical device for nasal treatment. It features a handle, a long, slender shaft composed of an outer sheath and an inner hypotube, and a retractable, expandable tip called a "multi-segment end effector." This end effector has two separate flexible segments, each equipped with multiple energy delivery components (like electrodes). When activated, these segments expand to conform to the distinct anatomical shapes of two different locations within the patient's nasal cavity. Specifically, the first segment is designed to fit around part of the middle turbinate (a structure in the nose) towards the front, while the second segment makes contact with tissue in multiple spots within a cavity located behind the middle turbinate.
• Claim 15 (Therapeutic device - functional): This claim outlines a therapeutic device comprising a handle, a main elongated body with energy delivery elements along its length, and a separate retractable and expandable multi-segment end effector, also equipped with its own energy delivery elements. The elongate body is designed to deliver energy to a first specific target area within the patient's nasal cavity. Separately, the multi-segment end effector can be expanded and positioned to deliver energy to a second target area in the nasal cavity, which is distinct and located remotely from the first target site. This design allows for treatment of multiple, separated areas without needing to reposition the entire device.
• Claim 19 (Method for improving patient's sleep - combined treatment): This claim details a method to improve a patient's sleep by treating rhinitis, congestion, or rhinorrhea using a specialized treatment device. The method involves advancing the device (which has an elongate body and an expandable end effector) into the nasal cavity. First, energy is delivered from electrodes on the elongate body to the tissue of the inferior turbinate. This energy is applied at a level sufficient to reduce swelling in that tissue, thereby improving airflow through the nasal passage and the patient's breathing. Second, energy is delivered from electrodes on the end effector to specific target sites associated with postganglionic parasympathetic nerves that supply the nasal lining, particularly at the microforamina of the palatine bone. This energy application aims to therapeutically modulate these nerves. The combined effect of these two energy deliveries is to reduce or eliminate the symptoms of rhinitis, congestion, and rhinorrhea, ultimately enhancing the patient's nasal breathability and sleep.