Systems and methods for performing image guided procedures within the ear, nose, throat and paranasal sinuses

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods for performing image guided interventional and surgical procedures, including various procedures to treat sinusitis and other disorders of the paranasal sinuses, ears, nose or throat.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 116,118 entitled “Methods And Devices For Performing Image Guided Procedures Within The Ear, Nose, Throat And Paranasal Sinuses” filed Apr. 26, 2005 which is a continuation in part of four earlier-filed applications, namely 1) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 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, 2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 912,578 entitled “Implantable Device and Methods for Delivering Drugs and Other Substances to Treat Sinusitis and Other Disorders” filed on Aug. 4, 2004, 3) U.S. patent application 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 and 4) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 037,548 entitled “Devices, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention relates to a system of working devices that can be used for image guided procedures such as FTSI and ENT procedures. These devices have sensors that allow for real-time indicia of their position, which can be used to precisely position a dilator within a paranasal sinus without needing direct line-of-sight view. The working devices can be flexible or malleable to allow for advancement through tortuous regions of the intra nasal anatomy without traumatizing or requiring surgical modification of the anatomical structure. The invention also includes fiducial marker devices that can be precisely and reproducibly positioned within the mouth of a human subject.

Problems solved by technology

In some cases, such dilation of the ostium may fracture, move or remodel bony structures that surround or are adjacent to the ostium.

Electromechanical systems have not been widely used in ENT or sinus surgery.

This is so because a typical endoscopic image is a spatially limited, two dimensional, line-of-sight view.

However, in the new FTSI procedures and other new ENT procedures that use flexible and / or malleable catheters and instruments, it is no longer suitable to mount the sensors on proximal portions of the surgical instruments such that the sensors remain outside of the body.

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