Apparatus and method for treating airway insufficiency in the laryngeal/oral cavity region by electromagnetic energy

摘要

A method for reducing a volume of a tongue in an oral cavity provides an ablation apparatus. The ablation apparatus including a source of electromagnetic energy and one or more electromagnetic energy delivery electrodes coupled to the electromagnetic energy source. A distal end of the ablation apparatus is introduced into the oral cavity. The distal end of the ablation apparatus is positioned outside of an oral cavity gag response zone. At least one electrode is introduced into an interior of the tongue when the distal end of the ablation apparatus is positioned outside of the oral cavity gag response zone. A sufficient amount of electromagnetic energy is delivered from the electrode into the interior of the tongue to debulk a section of the tongue without damaging the hypoglossal nerve. The electrode is then removed from the interior of the tongue.