Abstract: Systems for the treatment of nasal tissue, particularly the nasal turbinates, are described. One method for reducing the size of the inferior nasal turbinate is to apply ultrasound energy to the tissue regions beneath the surface of the turbinate tissue. One instrument may be used to deliver ultrasound energy and provide an infusion or injection of a fluid directly into the turbinate being treated, e.g., to bulk up the size of the turbinate to ensure that the ultrasound energy is properly delivered directly into the intended turbinate tissue. Fluids containing anesthetics, fluids infused with analgesics, etc. may be used for pain management while other medications, such as non-steroidal drugs, steroidal drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-histamines, anti-bacterial drugs, etc., can also be used. Such assemblies can also be utilized with other instruments as a system. For example, such a probe can be used with nasal speculums or imaging instrument in treating tissue.

Abstract: An airway implant device for maintaining and/or creating an opening in air passageways is disclosed. Methods of using the device are also disclosed. The airway implant device includes a deformable element to control the opening of an air passageway and a tether. Preferably the deformable element is an electroactive polymer element. Energizing of the electroactive polymer element provides support for the walls of an air passageway, when the walls collapse, and thus, completely or partially opens the air passageway.