Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the ear, nose and throat

a technology of ear, nose and throat, applied in the field of medical equipment and methods, can solve the problems of subcutaneous dissection of deep structures using the available rigid instrumentation, and achieve the effects of preventing fluid leakage, facilitating visualization and/or access, and deterring unwanted movement of catheters

Inactive Publication Date: 2006-03-23
ACCLARENT INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0020] Further yet in accordance with the present invention, there are provided methods where one or more anatomical structures (e.g. uncinate process, wall of ethmoid air cell, turbinate) and / or pathological structures (e.g., polyps, etc) are removed or modified in combination with a procedure where a dilator is inserted transnasally and used to dilate an opening of a paranasal sinus (as defined hereabove) or other anatomical structure within the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinus of a human or animal subject. Such removal or modification of normal or pathological anatomical structures may facilitate visualization and / or access to various anatomical locations during and after the procedure.
[0021] Still further in accordance with the invention, there is provided a nasal introducer that comprises an introducer body (e.g., a plug) that insets into the nostril of a human or animal subject. One or more lumen(s) (e.g., passageway(s) or bore(s)) extend through the introducer body to allow one or more catheters or other devices (e.g., endoscopes, dilators, seekers, tubular guides, etc.) to be advanced through the introducer and into the nasal cavity or beyond. Various valves, grippers, etc. may be associated with such lumen(s) to provide hemostasis, prevent fluid leakage and / or deter unwanted movement of catheters or other devices that have been inserted through the lumen(s).

Problems solved by technology

Indeed, in most traditional FESS procedures, if the uncinate process is allowed to remain, such can interfere with endoscopic visualization of the maxillary sinus ostium and ethmoid bulla, as well as subsequent dissection of deep structures using the available rigid instrumentation.

Method used

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  • Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the ear, nose and throat
  • Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the ear, nose and throat
  • Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the ear, nose and throat

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second embodiment

[0151] FIGS. 5B-C show a seeker device 510 comprising an elongate body 512 having a lumen 518 extending therethrough from end to end. Elongate body 512 can be made of suitable biocompatible materials including, but not limited to metals e.g. stainless steel, titanium, Nickel-titanium alloy (e.g., Nitinol), etc.; polymers e.g. Pebax, PEEK, Nylon, polyethylene, etc. The distal region of elongate body 512 may comprise a bent, angled or curved region. In some embodiments, some (e.g., a distal region) or all of the elongate body 512 may be substantially curved or malleable. The distal end of elongate body 512 may, in some cases, comprise an atraumatic tip 514 to prevent or reduce damage to adjacent anatomy while using seeker 510. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5B, atraumatic tip 514 comprises an enlarged, substantially spherical region. The proximal region of elongate body 512 may comprise a handle 516 to enable a user to advance and / or twist seeker 510. In the particular example of FIG...

first embodiment

[0185] The guide catheters disclosed herein may comprise a bent, curved or angled distal region to allow easier access to a paranasal sinus ostium. Such guide catheters may further comprise mechanisms to introduce an endoscope along the guide catheters. For example, FIGS. 14A through 14E′ show side views of embodiments of guide devices comprising bent, curved or angled distal regions and mechanisms to introduce an endoscope along the guide catheters. One or more of these guide devices may be provided as a part of the system for diagnosing or treating paranasal sinus pathologies. FIG. 14A shows a side view of a guide device comprising a substantially straight distal portion. Guide device 1400 comprises an elongate tube 1402. Elongate tube 1402 may be made of suitable biocompatible materials such polymers e.g. Nylon, Pebax, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the material of elongate tube 1402 has Rockwell hardness in the range of about 70R to about 110R. In this preferred embodiment, the...

third embodiment

[0189]FIG. 14E shows a side view of a guide device comprising a bent, angled or curved distal portion. The design of guide device 1440 is similar to the design of guide device 1410. Guide device 1440 comprises an elongate tube 1442. The distal portion of elongate tube 1442 comprises a curved, bent or angled region curved at an angle ranging from 140 degrees to 120 degrees. In this embodiment, distal portion of elongate tube 1442 is bent by an angle of around 110 degrees. An optional dilating balloon 1443 may be located on the distal region of guide device 1440. Dilating balloon may be made of suitable biocompatible materials including, but not limited to PET, Nylon, PVC, etc. The distal portion of elongate tube 1442 comprises an atraumatic tip 1444. Guide device 1440 further comprises a hypotube 1446. Guide device 1440 further comprises an endoscope introducing mechanism for introducing an endoscope EN. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 14E, the endoscope introducing mechanism compris...

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Abstract

Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, including methods and apparatus for dilating ostia, passageways and other anatomical structures, endoscopic methods and apparatus for endoscopic visualization of structures within the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, navigation devices for use in conjunction with image guidance or navigation system and hand held devices having pistol type grips and other handpieces.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10 / 829,917 entitled Devices, Systems and Methods for Diagnosing and Treating Sinusitis and Other Disorders of the Ears, Nose and / or Throat filed on Apr. 21, 2004; Ser. No. 10 / 944,270 entitled Apparatus and Methods for Dilating and Modifying Ostia of Paranasal Sinuses and Other Intranasal or Paranasal Structures filed on Sep. 17, 2004; Ser. No. 11 / 116,118 entitled Methods and Devices for Performing Procedures Within the Ear, Nose, Throat and Paranasal Sinuses filed Apr. 26, 2005 and [Serial No. to be determined] entitled Devices, Systems And Methods Useable For Treating Sinusitus filed on Jun. 10, 2005, each such application being expressly incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to medical apparatus and methods and more particularly to devices and methods that are useable to treat disorders of the paranas...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A61B1/00
CPCA61B1/00135A61B2019/5454A61B1/018A61B1/233A61B1/267A61B17/24A61B17/2804A61B17/282A61B17/3421A61B19/26A61B19/5212A61B19/5244A61B2017/3445A61B2017/3447A61B2019/463A61B2019/4857A61B2019/5238A61B2019/5251A61B2019/5255A61B2019/5265A61B2019/5441A61B1/0051A61B2090/063A61B2034/2055A61B34/20A61B90/361A61B2090/376A61B90/50A61B2090/0811A61B2034/2051A61B2034/2065A61B2090/3941A61B2090/3954A61M29/02A61M2029/025A61M2210/0681
Inventor MAKOWER, JOSHUACHANG, JOHN Y.MUNI, KETAN P.MORRISS, JOHN H.HA, HUNG V.KIM, ISAAC J.VRANY, JULIA D.
Owner ACCLARENT INC
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