Method for Treating Head or Cranium Pain Including Migraine and Cluster Headaches

Abstract

A method for treating head or cranium pain including migraine and cluster headaches, as well as for treating acute migraine headaches, wherein a user or patient utilizes an intranasal device attached to a syringe, were with the head or cranium of the user or patient placed in a sniffing position, the product (i.e., liquid medication) is insufflated (i.e., blown) into a nasal cavity by the user or patient such that the liquid medication flows into the posterior nasopharynx and subsequently flows into the oral pharynx, and thus saturates the palatine ganglion without the use of needles, swabs or harsh medications in order to provide relief from head or cranium pain.

Claims

1. A method for treating head or cranium pain, the method comprising: blowing, by a user or patient, both nasal passages to clear or eliminate nates from said nasal passages; placing a cranium of the user or patient in a sniffing position while sitting in an upright position; introducing liquid medication into one nostril of the nasal passage via a syringe, while the user or patient takes a deep breath and holds this breath to allow closure of nasal airways and prevent flow of liquid medication into oral airways of the patient; changing a cranium position of the user or patient such that said cranium is oriented downward, after a quantity of the liquid medication is introduced into the nasal passages via the syringe, and releasing the breath to allow liquid to flow into a contra lateral nostril and oral cavity of the patient or user; allowing the liquid medication to flow into the oral mucosa and again into the contra lateral nostril after the user or patient ceases holding their breath; and blowing, by the user or patient, the nasal passage to expel the liquid medication.

2. The method as claimed in step 1, wherein the method is repeated for an opposite nasal passage of the user or patient.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein a dosage amount of the liquid medication is approximately 2.5 ml.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid medication comprises 2-5% lidocaine Hcl liquid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to the drawings, these comprising schematic and greatly simplified figures in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 is an Illustration of the mucosa over the sphenopalatine foramen;

[0018] FIG. 2 is an Illustration of the relation between the nasal cavity and the sphenopalatine fossa (axial plane);

[0019] FIGS. 3a and 3b shown a syringe in position to apply the liquid medication in accordance with the method of the invention; and

[0020] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the method in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0021] With reference to FIG. 1, the Sphenopalatine Ganglion (SPG) is a group of nerve cells that is linked to the trigeminal nerve, the main nerve involved in headaches. The SPG, located behind the nose, directly under the nasal mucosa, carries information about sensation, including pain, and also plays a role in autonomic functions, such as tearing and nasal congestion. In particular, the SPG is located in the sphenopalatine fossa, encapsulated in connective tissue, surrounded by fat tissue and separated from the nasal cavity by a bony wall. The sphenopalatine fossa communicates with the nasal cavity through the sphenopalatine foramen (SPF), which contains neurovascular structures packed with connective tissue and is covered by mucosa in the nasal cavity.

[0022] FIG. 2 is an Illustration of the relationship between a nasal cavity and the sphenopalatine fossa (axial plane). In order to reach the SPG, a drug (or medication) applied intranasally over the sphenopalatine foramen will have to diffuse through mucosa, the sphenopalatine foramen, which is packed with neuro-vascular structures and connective tissue, and the fat tissue filling the sphenopalatine fossa. In order to implement the method of the invention, the user or patient performs the following as instructed. Initially, the user or patient blows their nose to clear or eliminate the presence of nates. Next, while sitting in an upright position, the user or patient then places their head or cranium in a sniffing position (see, e.g., FIGS. 3a and 3b).

[0023] Liquid medication is now introduced into one nostril via a syringe 310, while taking a deep breath and holding this breath, which causes the closure of airways and prevents the flow of liquid (i.e., the medication) into the oral airways. After a quantity of the liquid medication is introduced into the nasal cavity via the syringe 310, the user or patient then changes their head or cranium position such that it is oriented downward, and they no longer hold their breath to allow liquid to flow into the contra lateral nostril and oral cavity. Preferably, the dosage amount is approximately 2.5 ml of the liquid medication. Secondary to holding their breath, the liquid medication stays in the nasal mucosa preventing runoff into the oral cavity and eventually into the airways.

[0024] After the user or patient ceases holding their breath, the liquid medication is allowed to flow into the oral mucosa and again into the contra lateral nostril. After this process, the liquid medication is expelled by having the user or patient blow their nose into a suitable receptacle. In order to complete the process, the procedure is repeated for the opposite nasal passage.

[0025] The method in accordance with the invention is performed without the use of imaging technology, and also with the syringe being propelled forward by the user or patient's own force. This increases hydrostatic forces, which allows increased diffusion across the mucosa, and thus assists in delivering the liquid medication to the desired area.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the method in accordance with the invention. The method comprises having a user or patient blow their nose to clear or eliminate the presence of nates, as indicated in step 410. Next, the user or patient then places their head or cranium in a sniffing position while sitting in an upright position, as indicated in step 420.

[0027] Next, liquid medication is introduced into one nostril via a syringe 310, while having the user or patient take a deep breath and holding this breath, as indicated in step 430. In accordance with the method of the invention, this causes the closure of airways and prevents the flow of liquid (i.e., the medication) into the oral airways. After a quantity of the liquid medication is introduced into the nasal cavity via the syringe 310, the user or patient then changes their head or cranium position such that it is oriented downward, and they no longer hold their breath to allow liquid to flow into the contra lateral nostril and oral cavity, as indicated in step 440. Preferably, the dosage amount of the liquid medication is approximately 2.5 ml. Secondary to holding their breath, the liquid medication stays in the nasal mucosa preventing runoff into the oral cavity and eventually into the airways.

[0028] After the user or patient ceases holding their breath, the liquid medication is allowed to flow into the oral mucosa and again into the contra lateral nostril, as indicated in step 450. The liquid medication is now expelled by having the user or patient blow their nose into a suitable receptacle, as indicated in step 460. Next, steps 410 to 460 are repeated for the opposite nasal passage of the user or patient, as indicated in step 470.

[0029] The method in accordance with the invention is performed without the use of imaging technology, and also with the syringe 310 being propelled forward by the user or patient's own force. This increases hydrostatic forces, which allows increased diffusion across the mucosa, and thus assists in delivering the liquid medication to the desired area.

[0030] In the preferred embodiment, the medication comprises 2-5% lidocaine Hcl liquid, which is the highest dose allowed for OTC and Corticosteroid (generic) comparable to 20 mg of Kenalog.

[0031] In summary, the benefits provided by the method of the invention is that it is effective for all ages and is even suitable for use during pregnancy. The method of the invention is effective for all debilitating headaches, including acute and chronic migraine headaches. Moreover, the method effectively reduces head or facial pain. It should be noted a sedating medication is not used pursuant to implementing the method of the invention. The method of the invention provides a significant decrease in patient costs in comparison to conventional procedures for treating headache or head or cranium pain. Also of note is the decreased potential side effects that are patient exposed to, as well as an absence of radiation exposure.

[0032] Thus, while there have been shown, described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the methods described and the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.