IMPLANTATION DEVICES AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR ACCESS TO SINUS FLUID

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] Millions of people are treated each year for infections of the paranasal sinuses, or sinusitis, with many of those suffering from chronic sinusitis. Conventional surgical interventions directed to providing enhanced irrigation and drainage may provide moderate symptomatic improvement but not a cure. Recent interventions have been proposed to directly access the paranasal sinuses to permit medical procedures or drug treatments to be performed more directly in the paranasal sinuses. Direct access to a paranasal sinus has been proposed from an approach through the nose and an ostium that provides a natural opening from the nasal cavity into a paranasal sinus. Such medical interventions to directly access a paranasal sinus through the natural opening of the ostium involve complex manipulations of access tools to and through the restricted space of the ostium.

[0002] Another more recent intervention is based on providing an artificial fluid communication path between the lacrimal apparatus and a paranasal sinus through a paranasal sinus access implant device implanted through an artificially formed surgical path between the lacrimal apparatus in the paranasal sinus to provide direct fluid communication access from the lacrimal apparatus to the paranasal sinus through an internal passage of the implanted implant device. One surgical approach is through the palpebral fissure to form a surgical path between the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit and a paranasal sinus, often the ethmoid sinus. Examples of some paranasal sinus access implant devices and implantation tools and procedures for implanting such implant devices to provide a fluid communication between the lacrimal apparatus and a paranasal sinus are disclosed for example in International Patent Application Publication Nos. WO 2012 / 048278 A2; WO 2013 / 154843 A1; WO 2014 / 116980 A1; WO 2015 / 069433 A1; WO 2016 / 014996 A1; WO 2016 / 015002 A1; and WO 2017 / 132573 A1 published by the World Intellectual Property Organization. WO 2014 / 116980 A1 discloses an implantation tool to implant a paranasal sinus fluid access implant device, the implantation tool comprising: a carrier member; a handle portion; and an internal working space housed within the handle portion and the carrier member. US 2005 / 0085891 A1 discloses a biliary stent delivery device comprising a securement mechanism and a release mechanism.

[0003] When implanted, such paranasal sinus access implant devices provide convenient access to the paranasal sinus for administration of drugs or irrigation fluid directly to the paranasal sinus or performance of medical procedures in the paranasal sinus. However, for enhanced compatibility and interaction with surgically-penetrated tissue, such paranasal sinus access implant devices may be made of relatively soft and flexible material, for example polymeric materials, such as medical grade silicone, having a Shore A hardness often in a range of about 60-80. Advancing such flexible implant devices through a properly sized surgical route, and without additional inflammation of tissue in and adjacent to the surgical path, can be difficult. Such implant devices may include anchor protrusions configured to interact with issue exposed in the surgical path to help anchor the implanted implant device. For enhanced fit through and retention in the surgical path, the outside diameter of the implant device may be larger than the diameter of the surgical cut made to form the surgical path, especially at locations of the anchor protrusions. Resistance to insertion through the surgical path when an implant device is advanced into and through the surgical path during an implantation procedure may result in accordion-like deformation of the flexible implant device that further increases resistance to advancement of the implant device and complicating performance of the implantation procedure and increasing potential for additional inflammation of tissue that can lead to patient discomfort and longer heal times. Additionally, the wall of the sinus bone that is penetrated by the surgical cut to access the paranasal sinus may be very thin and susceptible to fracture and breakage during the implantation procedure. Such fracturing and breakage of the wall of the sinus bone may be detrimental to good securement of the implanted device in the implantation position through the surgical cut, and is also not desired for good surgical practice.

[0004] Although surgical implantation techniques for implantation of such paranasal sinus access implant devices to fluidly connect the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit and a paranasal sinus have achieved a significant level of success in accessing and treating conditions of the paranasal sinuses, implantation tools and procedures still may suffer from one or more of these problems, and there is a significant need for improved implantation tools and procedures to further address such problems.SUMMARY

[0005] The inventors have inventively recognized that these problems may be addressed at least in part for implantation of paranasal sinus access implant devices of the type summarized above implanted with a surgical approach through the palpebral fissure to provide an artificial fluid communication connection between the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit and a paranasal sinus by providing implantation tools and implantation procedures that maintain the paranasal access implant device mostly in tension as the implant device is advanced from the palpebral fissure approach through the surgical path during implantation procedure. Stated another way, when most of the length of the implant device that is advanced through the surgical path is pulled through the surgical path (in tension) rather than being pushed through the surgical path (in compression), the implant device is allowed to stretch out rather than bunch up in an accordion-like fashion during advancement into and through the surgical path, which eases advancement of the implant device through the surgical path and tends to reduce potential for causing fracture or breakage of the sinus wall bone, other tissue inflammation and the difficulty for the medical professional to perform the implantation procedure. A result may be both that the implantation procedure is faster and easier for a medical professional to perform and with reduced potential for surgical complications.

[0006] A first aspect of this disclosure provides an implantation tool to implant a paranasal sinus fluid access implant device with an internal fluid communication passage through an artificial, surgical path between a lacrimal apparatus in the orbit and a paranasal sinus in an implantation procedure to provide direct fluid communication access through the internal passage from the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit to the paranasal sinus. This implantation tool, which is the implantation tool according to the invention, comprises: a carrier member configured to carry the implant device on a mounting portion of the carrier member in a mounted orientation to position the implant device in an implantation position through the surgical path from an approach through the palpebral fissure during the implantation procedure; a securement mechanism to secure the implant device in the implantation orientation on the carrier member to carry the implant device to the implantation position during the implantation procedure, the securement mechanism being reconfigurable from a securement configuration to secure the implant device to the mounting portion of the carrier member in the implantation orientation to a released configuration to release the implant device from securement to the carrier member to permit withdrawal of the carrier member relative to the implant device to leave the implant device implanted in the implantation position during the implantation procedure, wherein the securement mechanism comprises at least one securement member positioned to extend over and press against an exterior portion of the implant device in the implantation orientation when the securement mechanism is in the securement configuration; a handle portion connected with the carrier member and configured to remain outside of the surgical path during the implantation procedure and being manipulable by a medical practitioner to direct implantation of the implant device during the implantation procedure; internal working space housed within at least a portion of the handle portion and at least a portion of the carrier member; a release mechanism disposed at least in part in the internal working space and manipulable to reconfigure the securement mechanism from the securement configuration to the released configuration.

[0007] A second aspect of this disclosure provides an implantation assembly for implanting a paranasal sinus fluid access implant device through a surgical path between a lacrimal apparatus in the orbit and a paranasal sinus in an implantation procedure to provide direct fluid communication access from the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit to the paranasal sinus through an internal passage of the implant device. The implantation assembly of this second aspect may include: such a paranasal sinus access implant device: and an implantation tool, wherein the implant device is mounted in a mounting orientation on a mounting portion of a carrier member of the implantation tool with a securement mechanism of the implantation tool in a securement configuration, and which securement mechanism is reconfigurable to a released configuration to release the implant device from securement to the mounting portion of the carrier member. The implantation tool in the implantation assembly of this second aspect may be according to the first aspect of this disclosure.

[0008] A third aspect of this disclosure provides an implantation kit for implanting a paranasal sinus fluid access implant device through a surgical path between a lacrimal apparatus in the orbit and a paranasal sinus in an implantation procedure to provide direct fluid communication access from the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit to the paranasal sinus through an internal passage of the implant device. The implantation kit of this third aspect may include: an implantation tool, wherein the implant device is mountable in a mounting orientation on a mounting portion of a carrier member of the implantation tool with a securement mechanism of the implantation tool in a securement configuration, and which securement mechanism is reconfigurable to a released configuration to release the implant device from securement to the mounting portion of the carrier member; and such a paranasal sinus access implant device; wherein, the implantation tool and implant device are assembled or assemblable into an implantation assembly with the implant device mounted in the mounting orientation on the mounting portion of the carrier member with the securement mechanism in the securement configuration. The implantation tool of the kit of this third aspect may be according to the first aspect of this disclosure. The implantation assembly of the kit of this third aspect may be according to the second aspect of this disclosure.

[0009] A fourth aspect of this disclosure provides a method for implanting a paranasal sinus access implant device to fluidly connect a lacrimal apparatus in the orbit with a paranasal sinus. The method of this fourth aspect may include: with a surgical approach through the palpebral fissure, surgically forming an artificial surgical path between a location in a lacrimal apparatus in the orbit and a paranasal sinus; advancing an implantation assembly including such a paranasal sinus access implant device from an approach through the palpebral fissure until the implant device extends through the surgical path in the implantation position, wherein the implantation assembly includes the implant device mounted in a mounting orientation on a mounting portion of a carrier member of an implantation tool with a securement mechanism of the implantation tool in a securement configuration, and which securement mechanism is reconfigurable to a released configuration to release the implant device from securement to the mounting portion of the carrier member; manipulating the release mechanism to reconfigure the securement mechanism from the securement configuration to the released configuration; withdrawing the implantation tool from the surgical path, leaving the implant device implanted through the surgical path fluidly connecting the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit with the paranasal sinus.

[0010] The implantation tool used in the method of this fourth aspect may be according to the first aspect of this disclosure. The implantation assembly used in the method of this fourth aspect may be according to the second aspect of this disclosure. The implant device and the implantation tool used in the implantation assembly used in the method of this fourth aspect may be provided in an implantation kit according to the third aspect of this disclosure.

[0011] A fifth aspect of this disclosure provides a method for implanting a paranasal sinus fluid access implant device through an artificial, surgical path between a lacrimal apparatus in the orbit and a paranasal sinus to provide direct fluid communication access from the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit to the paranasal sinus through an internal passage of the implant device. The method of this fifth aspect may include: with the implant device secured to an exterior of a carrier member of an implantation tool with a distal end of the implant device disposed toward a distal end of the implantation tool and a proximal end of the implant device disposed toward a proximal end of the implantation tool and with an implantation approach from the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit, advancing the implant device through the surgical path between the lacrimal apparatus in an orbit and the paranasal sinus until the implant device is in an implantation position with the distal end of the implant device disposed in the paranasal sinus and the proximal end of the implant device disposed in the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit; after the advancing, releasing the implant device from securement to the exterior of the carrier member and withdrawing the carrier member from the surgical path to leave the implant device implanted in the implantation position fluidly connecting the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit with the paranasal sinus through the internal passage of the implant device; and the implant device having a length from the proximal end to the distal end of the implant device; wherein during the advancing a length portion of the implant device, which is smaller than the length of the implant device, enters into and advances at least some distance through the surgical path, and a majority of the length portion is in tension while advancing through the surgical path. The method of this fifth aspect may include performance of the method of the fourth aspect of this disclosure. The implantation tool used in the method of this fifth aspect may be according to the first aspect. The implant device secured to an exterior of a carrier member of an implantation tool in the method of this fifth aspect may be provided in an implantation assembly according to the second aspect of this disclosure. The implant device and the implantation tool used in the method of this fifth aspect may be provided in an implantation kit according to the third aspect of this disclosure.

[0012] These and other aspects of this disclosure and features for use therewith are further described below. A number of feature refinements and additional features disclosed below are applicable to each of the aspects of this disclosure, including to an implantation tool, implantation assembly, implantation kit and an implantation method of any such aspect. These feature refinements and additional features may be used individually or in any combination in any or all of these aspects. As such, each of the features that will be discussed below may be, but are not required to be, used with any other feature or combination of features of the same or any other aspect of this disclosure.

[0013] Numerous additional features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the embodiment descriptions provided below.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 is an illustration showing the lacrimal apparatus and some example routes for surgical paths between the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit and a paranasal sinus with a surgical approach through the palpebral fissure for implantation of an implant device to provide direct fluid communication access from the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit to the paranasal sinus. Figure 2 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a paranasal sinus access implant device for implantation to provide direct fluid communication access from the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit to the paranasal sinus. Figure 3 is a side view of the paranasal sinus access implant device illustrated in Figure 2. Figure 4 is an illustration showing an example embodiment of a paranasal sinus access implant device in an implantation position as implanted to provide direct fluid communication access from the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit to an ethmoid sinus. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing an implantation assembly including an example embodiment of an implantation tool in an implantation assembly combination with an example paranasal sinus access implant device to be implanted using the implantation tool to provide direct fluid communication access from the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit to the paranasal sinus. Figure 6 is an exploded view showing components of the implantation tool of Figure 5. Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along a section line along the length of the implantation tool of Figure 5 in the implantation assembly configuration of Figure 5 including the example paranasal sinus access implant device of Figure 5. Figure 8 is a side view of a first portion of a slidable member of the implantation tool of Figure 5. Figure 9 is a side view of a distal end portion of the first portion of the slidable member illustrated in Figure 8. Figure 10 is a side view of the slidable member of the implantation tool of Figure 5. Figure 11 is an end view of the slidable member shown in Figure 10. Figure 12 is a perspective view of a distal end portion of the tool assembly combination shown in Figure 5. Figures 13-15 are perspective views illustrating use of the implantation tool shown in Figure 5 during an implantation procedure to implant the example embodiment of a paranasal sinus access implant device shown in Figure 5. Figures 16-18 are partial sectional views illustrating a distal end portion of the implantation tool and the example embodiment of a paranasal sinus access implant device shown in Figure 5 during an implantation procedure. Figure 19 is a perspective view showing another example embodiment an implantation tool for use to implant a paranasal sinus access implant device to provide direct fluid communication access from the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit to the paranasal sinus. Figure 20 is an exploded view showing components of the implantation tool of Figure 19. Figure 21 is a top view of the implantation tool of Figure 19. Figure 22 is a sectional view of the implantation tool of Figure 19 taken along a longitudinal section line as shown in Figure 21. Figure 23 is a partial sectional view of the implantation tool of Figure 19 taken along a transverse section line as shown in Figure 21. Figure 24 is a partial side view of a distal end portion of a carrier member of the implantation tool of Figure 19. Figure 25 is a perspective view of a distal end portion of the implantation tool of Figure 19. Figures 26-28 are perspective views illustrating use of the implantation tool of Figure 19 in for performing an implantation procedure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The term "lacrimal apparatus" or "lacrimal system" refers to the collection of physiological components that accomplish the production and secretion of lacrimal fluid to lubricate the eyeball, containment of lacrimal fluid in a reservoir of lacrimal fluid in the orbit and drainage of lacrimal fluid from the orbit to the nasal cavity. The lacrimal apparatus includes the lacrimal glands, the tear drainage system and the reservoir of lacrimal fluid located between the lacrimal glands and the tear drainage system. The reservoir of lacrimal fluid includes the eyelid margins and the conjunctival sac (and including the pool of tears in the lower conjunctival cul-de-sac that is sometimes referred to as the lacrimal lake). The tear drainage system includes the puncta, canaliculi and nasolacrimal duct (including the so-called lacrimal sac located at the top of the nasolacrimal duct) through which excess tears drain to Hasner's valve and into the nasal cavity. Figure 1 shows generally the lacrimal apparatus. Lacrimal fluid is produced and secreted from lacrimal glands 102 to lubricate the surface of the eyeball 104 disposed within the orbit. Lacrimal fluid forms a coating over the eyeball 104 and is generally contained within the conjunctival sac (the space between the lower eyelid 106, upper eyelid 108 and eyeball 104 that is lined by the conjunctiva). Excess lacrimal fluid is conducted to the vicinity of the medial canthus (medial corner of the eye) and drains through the lacrimal puncta 110 into the lacrimal canaliculi 112 and into the lacrimal sac 114 of the nasolacrimal duct 116. The lacrimal fluid then drains from the nasolacrimal duct 116 through Hasner's valve and into the nasal cavity.

[0016] As used herein, a surgical path refers to an artificially-created passage prepared by surgical means from an approach through the palpebral fissure between the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit and a paranasal sinus for implantation therethrough of an implant device with an internal passage to provide direct fluid communication access from the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit to the paranasal sinus. As may be appreciated, the palpebral fissure is an anatomical opening between eyelids, also referred to as the rima palpebrarum. Such an implant device may, for example, be of a design as described in any of U.S. Patent No. 9,308,358; U.S. Patent No. 9,561,350; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0216094 A1 or International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2017 / 132573 A1, each of which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0017] The paranasal sinuses include the frontal sinuses, maxillary sinuses, ethmoid sinuses and sphenoid sinuses, which are cavities contained within frontal, maxilla, ethmoid and sphenoid bones, respectively. The paranasal sinuses drain into the nasal cavity. Figure 1 also shows the general proximity of the frontal sinus 122, maxillary sinus 124 and ethmoid sinus 126 relative to features of the lacrimal apparatus and some example routes for a surgical path are shown by dashed lines. A first example route 130 for a surgical path is from the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit to the frontal sinus. A second example surgical path route 132 is from the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit to the ethmoid sinus 126. A third example surgical path route 134 is from the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit to the maxillary sinus 124. The example surgical path routes shown in Figure 1 are for purposes of general illustration only and not to show precise locations where a surgical path might be formed to connect a part of the lacrimal apparatus with the corresponding paranasal sinus. Although not shown in Figure 1, another example route for a surgical path is from the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit to the sphenoid sinus. One more specific example of a preferred route for a surgical path to a paranasal sinus is for the surgical path to pass directly through the lacrimal caruncle and through tissue to the targeted paranasal sinus. Such a route for a surgical path benefits from relatively easy location of the surgical entry point by a medical professional performing an implantation procedure.

[0018] Figures 2 and 3 show an example implant device 200 of a design as described in International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2017 / 132573 A1. The implant device 200 includes a head 202 and a conduit 204. The conduit 204 includes a first longitudinal portion 206 and a second longitudinal portion 208 disposed distal of the first longitudinal portion 206. The first longitudinal portion 206 includes a smooth exterior surface and second longitudinal portion 208 includes an anchoring surface feature including anchoring protrusions in the form of spaced circumferential ridges 210 and recess areas 212 between the ridges 210. When the implant device 200 is implanted through a surgical path to fluidly connect the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit with a paranasal sinus, one or more of the ridges 210 may be located in the vicinity of the paranasal sinus bone wall that is penetrated by the implant device 200 when implanted, preferably with one or more of the anchor protrusions disposed on each side of the bone, and more preferably with the wall of the sinus cavity bone penetrated by the implant device 200 disposed between two adjacent ones of the ridges 210. The implant device 200 includes an internal passage 238 extending between the proximal end 216 and the distal end 218, passing through the head 202 and the full length of the conduit 204. The internal passage 238 is open at the proximal end 216 for fluid communication with the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit when implanted and is open at the distal end 218 for fluid communication with a paranasal sinus when implanted, whereby the implant device 200 when implanted provides a fluid communication path between the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit and the paranasal sinus. Disposed between the most distal pair of adjacent ridges 210, the implant device 200 includes two side ports 250 disposed on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis 251 of the implant device 200, and which side ports are designed to be disposed in the paranasal sinus when the implant device 200 is implanted.

[0019] Various dimensions are shown in Figure 3 for the implant device 200. The implant device 200 includes a length 214 measured longitudinally between the proximal end 216 and the distal end. The circumferential ridges 210 have a width 222 at the base of the ridges 210 and a height 224 above adjacent recess areas 212. The ridges 210 are spaced on a center-to-center spacing 226, with inter-ridge spacing 227 between adjacent bases of adjacent ridges 210. The conduit 204 has a maximum exterior width 228 corresponding with the tops of the ridges 210, equal to the diameter of the circle of the cross-section through the conduit 204 at the top of the ridges 210. The conduit 204 has a minimum exterior width 231 at locations corresponding with the recess areas 212 on the second longitudinal portion 208 of the conduit 204. The head 202 has a circular perimeter having a diameter 234 and a depth 236. The beginning, or proximal end, of the second longitudinal portion 208 is located at a distance 220 from the proximal end 216, at the base of the ridge 210 nearest to the proximal end 216 and the second longitudinal portion 208 has a length 221. The internal passage 238 has a circular cross-section along the length of the implant device 200, which is of constant diameter except that the diameter of the internal passage flares to a larger diameter in transition portions adjacent the proximal end 216 and the distal end 218, which are further described below.

[0020] Some example values for a number of the dimensions shown in Figure 3 for one example embodiment of the implant device 200 are summarized in Table 1. Table 1Dimension of Implant Device 200Specific Example21417.8 mm2208mm2218.9 mm2220.44 mm2240.3 mm2261.65mm2271.21mm2282.41 mm2302 mm2311.8 mm2344 mm2360.9 mm

[0021] Further features of the example implant device 200 are described in International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2017 / 132573 A1.

[0022] Figure 4 shows an example of implant placement of the implant device 200 in an implantation position to fluid connect the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit with the ethmoid sinus. In the implantation position shown in Figure 4, the head 202 and proximal end 216 are disposed in the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit in the conjunctival sac and the distal end 218 is disposed in the ethmoid sinus 126, with the conduit 204 passing through the surgical path across tissue including conjunctiva and a wall of the ethmoid bone in which the ethmoid sinus 126 is located, with some anchor ridges 210 disposed within the surgical path to engage tissue and help anchor the implant device 200, and with other ones of the anchor ridges 210 and the side ports 250 disposed in the ethmoid sinus. In an alternative example, the surgical path from the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit may pass directly through the lacrimal caruncle 142, and in the implantation position the head 202 may be disposed over and engage tissue of the lacrimal caruncle 142.

[0023] Whether the implanted implant design has a design of a type as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 or a different design, after implantation, the implant device may be used to provide access to the paranasal sinus to perform medical procedures or treatments directed to the paranasal sinus, for example to administer a treatment composition (also referred to as a treatment formulation) the paranasal sinus or to aspirate fluid from the paranasal sinus. Such a treatment formulation may include one or more drugs for treatment of sinusitis or may be an irrigation fluid to irrigate the paranasal sinus.

[0024] With reference also to Figures 5-18, an embodiment of a paranasal sinus fluid access implantation tool 300 and various components of and example implantation procedures involving the implantation tool 300 will be described. For illustration purposes, the implantation tool 300 is shown in an implantation assembly with or being operated in connection with implantation of the example paranasal sinus fluid access implant device 200 shown in Figures 2-4.

[0025] The implantation tool 300 includes an insertion portion 302 configured to carry the implant device 200 for insertion through a surgical path between the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit and a paranasal sinus during an implantation procedure. The implantation tool 300 also includes a handle portion 304 configured to remain outside of the surgical path during the implantation procedure and which is manipulable by a medical practitioner to direct implantation of the implant device 200 during the implantation procedure. The insertion portion 302 includes a carrier member 306 on which the implant device 200 may be mounted to be carried to an implantation position through the surgical path from an approach through the palpebral fissure during an implantation procedure. The carrier member 306 includes a mounting portion 308. The mounting portion 308 is a longitudinal portion of the carrier member 306 on which the implant device 200 is secured to be carried by the carrier member 306 during an implantation procedure. As illustrated in Figures 5 and 7, the mounting portion 308 of the carrier member 306 corresponds with the length of the carrier member 306 along which the implant device 200 is secured to be carried by the implantation tool 300 during an implantation procedure. In this regard, a distal end of the mounting portion 308 may correspond with the distal end 218 of the implant device 200 and the proximal end of the mounting portion 308 may correspond with the proximal end 216 of the implant device 200 as the implant device 200 is secured to the carrier member 306 for an implantation procedure. It is noted that although the implant device 200 is mounted on and secured to such a mounting portion 308 of the carrier member 306 in preparation for an implantation procedure, when the implant device 200 is inserted on the carrier member 306 into the surgical passage during an implantation procedure, the implant device 200 may deform or shift somewhat relative to the carrier member 306, which may include a movement of some portion or portions of the implant device 200 along the carrier member 306 outside of the mounting portion 308, on which the implant device 200 was initially confined as initially mounted. For instance, with the implantation tool 300, only a distal portion the implant device 200 is secured to the carrier member 306, so that portions of the implant device 200 located proximal to the locations of securement will be in tension as the implant device 200 is inserted into and advanced through the surgical path for implant placement. This advantageously permits the implant device 200 to stretch out and elongate along the carrier member 306 proximal of the securement locations, and proximal portions of the stretched implant device 200 may extend proximal of the mounting portion 308 of the carrier member 306. Likewise, the secured distal portion of the implant device 200 may deform and shift position slightly around the locations of securement, which may slightly shift the positioning of the distal end 218 of the implant device 200 relative to the distal end of the mounting portion 308 of the carrier member 306.

[0026] As shown in Figures 5-17, a slidable member 310 is disposed mostly in internal working space housed within the handle portion 304 and the carrier member 306. The slidable member 310 is slidable along a translation path within the internal working space, and a spring 312 may provide a force to propel the slidable member 310 to release the implant device 200 from securement to the carrier member 306 to deploy the implant device 200 for implantation after the implant device 200 has been advanced in a surgical path to an implantation position. As shown in the figures, the slidable member 310 includes a first portion 314 in the form of an elongated conduit (e.g., hypodermic tube, also referred to as a hypo tube). The slidable member also includes a second portion 316 to interact with the spring 312 and has a depressable member 318 that may be depressed by a medical professional during an implantation procedure to release the spring 312 from a charged state (pre-compressed state) to propel the slidable member 310 toward a proximal end 320 of the implantation tool 300 to retract the slidable member 310 within the internal working space to release the implant device 200 from securement to the carrier member 306 for implantation deployment. The depressable member 318 interfaces with an actuation member in the form of an actuation button 322, which may be pushed by a medical professional to depress the depressable member 318 to actuate release of the implant device 200 from securement to the carrier member 306 during an implantation procedure. By way of example, the first portion 314 of the slidable member 310 may be in the form of a small diameter hypo tube (e.g., of stainless steel) and the second portion 316 of the slidable member 310 may be a plastic structure (e.g., of polypropylene) molded over the hypo tube.

[0027] Figure 8 illustrates the first portion 314 of the slidable member 310 in the form of a hypo tube with a flared proximal end 324 for more secure engagement with the over-molded second portion 316 of the slidable member 310, as illustrated in Figures 10 and 11. The second portion 316 of the slidable member 310 includes retaining projections 326 to engage and retain the spring 312 relative to the slidable member 310. In the example of the implantation tool 300, the actuation button 322 is part of a molded handle body piece (e.g., of polypropylene). In a compressed state, a distal end of the spring 312 is disposed against a shoulder feature 328 in the handle body. The implantation tool 300 includes a lumen provided through the first portion 314 of the slidable member 310 for passage of a guide wire therethrough to guide a distal end of the implantation tool 300 to the surgical path during an implantation procedure. The lumen is accessible from the proximal end 320 of the implantation tool 300 through an opening 330 though an end-cap insert 332 with tab portions 331 that lock into a proximal portion of an opening feature 333 in the handle body. The end-cap insert 332 encloses the internal working space adjacent the proximal end 320 and acts as a stop for movement of the slidable member 310 when propelled toward the proximal end 320 when the spring 312 in a compressed state is released by depression of the depressable member 318 through manipulation of the actuation button 322.

[0028] A key feature of the implantation tool 300 is a securement mechanism provided to secure the implant device 200 in an implantation orientation on the carrier member 306 to carry the implant device 200 to an implantation position through the surgical path during an implantation procedure. The securement mechanism is reconfigurable from a securement configuration to secure the implant device 200 to the carrier member 306 to a released configuration to release the implant device 200 from securement to the carrier member 306 after being advanced through a surgical path to an implantation position, permitting withdrawal of the implantation tool 300, and the carrier member 306, to disengage the carrier member 306 from the positioned implant device 200 to leave the implant device 200 in place for implantation. In the embodiment illustrated for the implant tool 300, the securement mechanism includes two securement members in the form of sheath members 340 that are integral with and provided as extensions at a distal end of the carrier member 306. In one example contemplated implementation, the carrier member 306 may be made of a polymeric composition with material properties permitting the integral sheath members 340 to be sufficiently ductile to be routed through the distally-located side ports 250 of the implant device 200 from inside of to outside of the side ports 250 and then distally over distal portions of the exterior of the implant device 200 to engage and be retained in a secured configuration by retainment structure features provided on distal end portions of the slidable members 310. As seen in Figures 8, 9 and 12, a distal end portion of the slidable member 310 includes securement tabs 342 cut into the wall of opposing sides of the distal end portion of the first portion 314 of the slidable member 310. Each of the securement tabs 342 is defined by a slot 344 cut through the wall of the first portion 314 of the slidable member 310 so that each securement tab 342 is configured be received through a corresponding opening 346 through a corresponding distal end portion of a sheath member 340 for securement of a sheath members 340 to the distal end portion of the slidable member 310. This permits the distal end portion of each sheath member 340 to be hooked over a corresponding securement tab 342 with the securement tab 342 projecting through the opening 346 of the sheath member 340 to hold the sheath member 340 secured in place in a securement configuration for advancement of the implant device 200 mounted on the carrier member 306 into and through a surgical route during an implantation procedure. An example of the engagement between the sheath members 340 and corresponding ones of the securement tabs 342 projecting through the openings 346 in an implantation assembly reading for an implantation procedure is illustrated for example, in Figure 16. The secured sheath members 340 in the securement configuration engaged with the securement tabs 342 both secure the implant device 200 in an implantation orientation mounted on the carrier member 306 and provide a sheath-like protection of distal end portions of the implant device 200 that are covered by the sheath members 340, facilitating insertion of the implant device 200 into a surgical path and advancing the implant device 200 through the surgical path to an implantation position with reduced resistance to advancement from the distal end edge of the implant device 200. Securement of the implant device 200 to the carrier member 306 only at locations at and distal to the side ports 250 results in a majority of the length of the implant device 200 located proximal to the side ports 250 that is advanced into and through the surgical path to be advanced in a state of tension as a result of resistance to advancement from tissue in the surgical path pulling on the exterior of the conduit 204 of the implant device 200 when the implant device 200 is advanced through the surgical path, until the head 202 of the implant device 200 engages conjunctival tissue adjacent to the proximal opening of the surgical path when the implant device 200 has been fully advanced to an implantation position. As shown in Figure 16, the mounting portion 308 of the carrier member 306 extends to the distal end of the implant device 200, with a distal end portion of the carrier member 306 extending along an exterior of the implant device 200 to the distal end of the implant device 200. In the embodiment of the implantation tool 300, the securement members in the form of the sheath members 340 are integral portions of the carrier member 306, which together with the distal end portion of the slidable member 310 including the tab portions 342 are part of a securement mechanism to secure the implant device in the implantation orientation on the carrier member 306. Is should be appreciated that the term "carrier member" as used herein refers to a carrying structure, which may be a combination of pieces or parts that during an implantation procedure provide the carrying function with the implant device mounted in a supported manner for advancing the implant device to an implantation position relative to a surgical path during an implantation procedure. In some alternative configurations to the implantation tool 300 as illustrated in Figures 5-18, one or more sheath members may extend out of the end of the internal passage of an implant device and fold back over the distal end of the implant device to extend over an exterior of a distal end portion of the implant device. For example, such a folded-over sheath member may be retained along a distal end portion of the implant device 200 by a snare-type structure, for example similar to as described below with respect to Figures 19-28, or by retainment features on a slidable member disposed in the vicinity of the side ports 250 of the implant device 200. In other alternative configurations, sheath members may be separate from a carrier member, and not an integral part of a carrier member.

[0029] The implantation tool 300 includes a safety cover 350 attached to the handle body to cover the actuation button 322 to prevent hand access to the actuation button 322 to prevent premature release of the implant device 200 from securement to the carrier member 306 during an implantation procedure. When the implant device 200 has been positioned through a surgical path in an implantation position and ready to be released from securement to the carrier member 306 for implantation, the safety cover 350 may be selectively removed from the handle body by pulling up on the safety cover 350, thereby permitting hand access to the actuation button 322 to permit a medical practitioner to press the actuation button 322 to depress the depressable member 318 and to disengage a proximal projection 352 on the depressable member 318 from a corresponding recess feature in the handle body, as seen best in Figure 7. As shown in Figure 7, when the projection 352 is received in the corresponding recess feature in the handle body, the depressable member 318 is in a locked configuration maintaining the spring 312 in a compressed state. When the actuation button 322 is pushed down after removal from of the safety cover 350, the projection 352 is moved out of the locked configuration to permit expansion of the spring 312 from the compressed state to propel the slidable member 310 toward the proximal end 320 of the implantation tool 300, resulting in disengagement of the securement tabs 342 from the sheath members 340 to release the sheath members 340 from securing the implant device 200 to the carrier member 306. As the slidable member 310 moves toward the proximal end 300, a distal portion of the slidable member 310 is retracted into the interior working space within the carrier member 306, for example as illustrated in Figure 17.

[0030] With continued reference primarily to Figures 5-18, performance of an example implantation procedure will be described using the implantation tool 300. Figure 13 illustrates an implantation assembly ready for performing an implantation procedure with the implant device 200 mounted in an implantation orientation and secured to the carrier member 306. Figure 16 illustrates a distal portion of the implantation tool 300 with the implant device 200 secured to the carrier member 306 by the sheath members 340 engaged with the securement tabs 342 on the first portion 314 of the slidable member 310, with the securement tabs 342 received through the openings 346 and the corresponding sheath members 340. As illustrated in Figure 16, the securement tabs 342 may be slightly flared outward to enhance performance of the securement tabs 342 both for securing the sheath members 344 insertion into the surgical path and for release of the sheath members 340 when the tool member slidable member 310 is retracted to disengage from the sheath members 340 and to release the implant device 200 from securement to the carrier member 306. Figure 14 illustrates actuation of the implantation tool 300 to reconfigure the securement mechanism from the securement configuration to the released configuration during an implantation procedure after the implant device 200 has been advanced into a surgical path to an implantation position with the distal end 218 disposed in a paranasal sinus (e.g., ethmoid sinus, maxillary sinus or frontal sinus) and with the proximal end 216 disposed in the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit, and preferably with a distal side of the head 202 in contact with conjunctival tissue in the orbit. Such an implantation position for the implant device 200 may be as illustrated for example in Figure 4, but with the implant device 200 still secured to the carrier member 306 of the implantation tool 300. As shown in Figure 14, with the implant device 200 in the implantation position through the surgical path, the safety cover 350 may be removed to permit access to the actuation button 322, which may be pushed to reconfigure the securement mechanism of the implantation tool 300 to the released configuration in which the implant device 200 is released from securement to the carrier member 306, as illustrated in Figure 17. After the actuation button 322 has been pressed to release the implant device 200 from securement to the carrier member 306, a medical professional performing an implantation procedure may pull back on the handle portion 304 to withdraw the carrier member 306 from the surgical path to leave the implant device 200 in place implanted in the implantation position to fluidly connect a paranasal sinus with the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit, as shown in Figure 15. As the carrier member 306 is being withdrawn relative to the implant device 200, the distal portions of the sheath members 340 are retracted through the side ports 250 of the implant device 200 leaving the implant device 200 implanted in the implantation position completely disengaged from the implantation tool 300, as shown in Figure 15 and 18, which may be in the implantation position as illustrated in Figure 4.

[0031] The carrier member 306 of the implantation tool 300 may be made of a uniform material of construction throughout, or may be made of a first material of construction (e.g., metallic or hard engineering plastic material) with higher rigidity to carry the implant device 200 and a second material of construction for the sheath members 340 with a lower rigidity that is sufficiently malleable to be readily deformed to be passed through the side ports 250 and to engage with the securement tabs 342. Because of the support provided to the carrier member 306 by the slidable member 310 (e.g., made of stainless steel or another hard, rigid material) disposed through the carrier member 306, the entire carrier member 306, including the integral sheath members 340, may be made of a uniform material with properties advantageously selected for performance of both the sheath members 342 and other portions of the carrier member 306 to carry the implant device during an implantation procedure. Some example materials that may be used as a single material of construction for the carrier member 306, including the integral sheath members 342, or that may be used for only the sheath members 340, include polyimide, polyamide (e.g., nylon), Mylar, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene), PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), nitinol suture, PVF (polyvinyl fluoride), composite polymer and silicone composite compositions. Some preferred compositions are polymeric compositions, such as polyimide, polyamide (e.g., nylon), Mylar, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene) and PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) compositions, with polyamide (e.g., nylon) compositions more preferred for some implementations. One example for particularly preferred materials of construction for the carrier member 306, including the integral sheath members 342, are thermoplastic elastomers, and preferably polyether block amide elastomers (PEBAs). Polymeric compositions, or polymeric matrix for composites with a polymeric matrix, for the carrier member, and preferably for PEBA materials, with or without integral sheath members, may in some implementations have a Shore D hardness in a range of 50 to 100, preferably 60-90 and more preferably 60-80. One useful group of such PEBA materials are the Pebax ®< compositions from Arkema, and preferably some of the harder Pebax ®< materials (e.g., with a Shore D hardness of 60 or larger). For example some Pebax ®< compositions have a Shore D hardness of around 72 and are especially useful. Another useful group of such thermoplastic elastomers are the Vestamid ®< E compositions from Evonik, and preferably some of the harder such materials (e.g., having a Shore D hardness of 60 or larger).

[0032] With reference also to Figures 19-28, another embodiment of a paranasal sinus fluid access implantation tool 400 and various components of an example implantation procedures involving the implantation tool 400 will be described. For illustration purposes, the implantation tool 400 is described for mounting and implanting the example paranasal sinus fluid access implant device 200 shown in Figures 2-4.

[0033] The implantation tool 400 includes an insertion portion 402 configured to carry the implant device 200 for insertion through a surgical path between the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit and a paranasal sinus during an implantation procedure. The implantation tool 400 also includes a handle portion 404 configured to remain outside of the surgical path during the implantation procedure in which is manipulable by a medical practitioner to direct implantation of the implant device 200 during the implantation procedure. The insertion portion 402 includes a carrier member 406 on which the implant device 200 may be mounted to be carried to an implantation position through the surgical path with an approach through the palpebral fissure during an implantation procedure. The carrier member 406 includes a mounting portion 408, which is a longitudinal portion of the carrier member 406 on which the implant device 200 is secured to be carried by the carrier member 406 during an implantation procedure. The mounting portion 408 generally corresponds with the length of the carrier member 406 along which the implant device 200 is secured to be carried by the implantation tool 400 during an implantation procedure. A distal end of the mounting portion 408 may correspond with the distal end 218 of the mounted implant device 200 and the proximal end of the mounting portion 408 may correspond with the proximal end 216 of the mounted implant device 200. Similar to the discussion above concerning the implantation tool 300, although the implant device 200 is mounted on and secured to such a mounting portion 408 of the carrier member 406 in preparation for an implantation procedure, when the implant device 200 is inserted on the carrier member 406 into a surgical passage during an implantation procedure, the implant device 200 may deform or shift somewhat relative to the carrier member 406, including possibly moving somewhat outside of the mounting portion 408 on which the implant device 200 was initially confined as initially mounted.

[0034] A handle body of the handle portion 404 and the carrier member 406 provide a housing for internal components disposed in internal space within the implantation tool 400. A slidable release member 410 is disposed in the internal working space within the handle portion 404 and the carrier member 406. The release member 410 is slidable along a translation path within the internal working space. The release member 410 is connected with a release pin 412 that is engaged with and retains a release spring 414. A proximal end of the release pin 412 is threaded into an end piece 416 located adjacent a proximal end 417 of the implantation tool. The end piece 416 is selectively manipulable by a medical professional during an implantation procedure to reconfigure a securement mechanism of the implantation tool 400 from a securement configuration to a released configuration to release the implant device 200 from securement to the carrier member 408 to permit the implantation tool 400 and the carrier member 406 to be withdrawn and disengaged from the implant device 200 to leave the implant device 200 implanted in an implantation position.

[0035] The implantation tool 400 includes a securement member in the form of a snare member 418 and an alignment member 420 to assist in properly positioning and aligning the implant device 200 adjacent to the mounting portion 408 of the mounting member 406 with a distal end portion of the implant device 200 disposed through a snare loop formed by the snare member 418 for securing the implant device 200 to the carrier member 406 in the secured configuration. The snare member 418 is configured to be retractable to retract the snare loop about a distal portion of the implant device 200 disposed along the mounting portion 408 of the carrier member 406 to secure the implant device 200 to the carrier member 406. The implantation tool 400 also includes a guide loop member 422 that provides a small diameter loop near a distal end 424 of the implantation tool 400 for receiving a guide wire therethrough to guide the distal and 424 of the implantation tool 400 to a surgical path during an implantation procedure. The interior working space of the carrier member 406 is enclosed at a distal end of the carrier member 406 by a spherical end piece 426. The carrier member 406 may, for example, be in the form of a metallic hypo tube (e.g., stainless steel hypo tube) with a small diameter metallic ball (e.g., stainless steel bearing ball) for the spherical end piece 426 attached to and enclosing a distal end of the hypo tube.

[0036] The carrier member 406 includes five side apertures disposed toward the distal end 424. Two apertures 428 on opposing sides of the carrier member 406 provide passages for the guide loop member to exit from the interior working space of the carrier member 406. From the apertures 428 the guide loop member 422 may extend in a proximal direction through the interior working space of the carrier member 406 and may be connected to the handle transition piece 436 at a distal end of the handle portion 404 to retain the guide member loop 422 in a fixed orientation with a desired small diameter loop open to receive a guide wire for guiding the carrier member 406 to a proximal end of the surgical path during an implantation procedure. An aperture 430 provides a passage for the alignment member to exit the interior working space of the carrier member 406. From the aperture 430, the alignment member 420 may extend in a proximal direction through the interior working space of the carrier member 406 and may be connected to a slidable loading member 438 disposed in the interior working space within the handle portion 404. Apertures 432 and 434 provide passages for the snare member to exit the interior working space of the carrier member 406. From the aperture 432, a first portion of the snare member 418 may extend in a proximal direction through the interior working space of the carrier member 406 and may be connected with the loading member 438. A second portion of the snare member 418 may be disposed in the interior working space of the carrier member 406 with an engagement portion of the snare member 418 in the form of an end loop 440 retained in the interior working space by a distal end portion of the release member 410 disposed through the end loop 440 when the snare member 418 is in the securement configuration to secure the implant device 200 to an exterior of the carrier member 406. The release member 410 disposed through the loop end 440 maintains the loop member 418 with a snare loop adjacent an exterior of the carrier member 406 extending between the aperture 432 and the aperture 434. However, in the released configuration, the release member 410 is retracted to disengage from the loop end 440 of the loop member 418 to release the snare loop and accordingly to release the implant device 200 from securement to the carrier member 406.

[0037] The snare member 418 may be disposed in three different configurations, referred to as a loading configuration, a securement configuration and a released configuration, respectively. In the loading configuration and the released configuration, the release pin 410 is disposed through the loop end 440 of the snare member 418 to maintain the snare member 418 with a snare loop extending between the aperture 432 and the aperture 434. In the loading configuration, the loading member 438 is in a forward position, as illustrated in Figures 22 and 23, and accordingly the end of the snare loop 418 connected to the loading member 438 is also in a forward position and the snare loop is in an expanded position to receive the implant device 200 to be secured to the mounting portion 408 of the carrier member 406. With the snare member 418 in the loading configuration, the implant device 200 may be guided to the proper position for securement to the carrier member 406 by inserting the alignment member 420 into the internal passage from the distal end 218 of the implant device 200 and sliding the implant device 200 over the alignment member 420 until the distal end 218 of the implant device 200 is stopped adjacent the aperture 434 by a bend portion of the alignment member 420 where the alignment member 420 exits the aperture 430. As fully advanced along the alignment member 420, a distal end portion of the implant device 200 will be disposed through and distal of the snare loop of the snare member 418. With the implant device 200 in such a position fully advanced along the alignment member 420, the snare member 418 may be repositioned to the securement configuration by a medical professional by retracting the loading member 438 along a translation path in the interior working space of the handle portion, resulting in retraction of the end of the snare member 418 connected to the loading member 438 to retract the snare loop of the snare member 418 to a retracted position around the distal end portion of the implant device 200 disposed through the snare loop 418. In the retracted position, the snare loop closes around the exterior of the implant device 200 and collapses the internal passage through the implant device 200 at the retracted snare loop location to firmly secure the implant device 200 to the mounting portion 408 of the carrier member 406. In contrast to the example implantation tool 300 in which the implant device 200 has the carrier member 306 disposed through the internal passage of the implant device 200 when the implant device 200 is secured to the carrier member 306, in the example implementation tool 400, the mounted implant device 200 is in the absence of the carrier member 406 disposed through the internal passage of the implant device 200 secured to the carrier member 406.

[0038] To reconfigure the snare member 418 from the loading configuration to the securement configuration, a medical professional may pull back on an actuation projection in the form of a knob member 446 connected with the loading member 438 with a portion of the knob member 446 disposed through and guided by a longitudinal portion of a slot track formed in a wall of a handle body providing a housing for components in the interior working space of the handle portion 404. As the knob member 446 is pulled back to retract the loading member 438, the loading member 438 compresses a loading spring 450 within the interior working space in the handle portion 404. When the knob member 446 has been pulled fully back to a retracted position at the end of the longitudinal portion of the slot track 448, the knob member may be translated in a transverse direction into a side portion 452 of the slot track 448 to lock the knob member 446 and the loading member 438 in a retracted position held securely in place by the force exerted by the compressed loading spring 450, thereby also maintaining the snare loop of the snare member 418 in the retracted position of the securement configuration. As the alignment member 420 is also connected to the loading member 438, as the loading member 438 is retracted, the alignment member 420 is also retracted with at least a portion of the alignment member being pulled into the interior working space of the carrier member 406, and including retracting into the interior working space a bend portion of the alignment member 420 that will make it easier for the alignment member 422 disengage from the implant device 200 during an implantation procedure after the implant device 200 has been released from securement to the carrier member 406. The alignment member may be made for example of a shape memory material, such as a nitinol material (nickel-titanium alloy), with shape memory for the bend portion. The snare member 418 may also be made of such a shape memory material with shape memory for the snare loop.

[0039] Figures 26-28 more particularly illustrate the process of mounting the implant device 200 on the mounting portion 408 of the carrier member 406. Figure 26 shows the implantation tool 400 in the loading configuration ready to receive the implant device 200 for mounting. Figure 27 shows sliding the implant device 200 over the alignment member 420 toward the snare loop of the snare member 418. Figure 28 shows the implant device 200 fully advanced over the alignment member 420 into an implantation orientation for mounting on the mounting portion 408 of the carrier member 406. With the implant device 200 in the position as shown in Figure 28, the knob member may be retracted along the longitudinal portion of the slot track 448 to retract the snare loop of the snare member 418 around a location on the distal end portion of the implant device 200 in the securement configuration. Preferably, the snare loop secures the implant device 200 to the carrier member at a securement location along the distal end portion of the implant device 200 that corresponds with a recess area 212 between anchor ridges 210, and preferably corresponds with the recess area 212 between the most distal pair of adjacent anchor ridges 210 (between which the side ports 250 are positioned in the example implant device 200). After the snare loop 418 is fully retracted around the implant device 200 to securely hold the implant device 200 to the carrier member 406, the knob member may be translated to the side into the side portion 452 of the slot track 448 to lock the snare member 418 in the securement configuration. With the implant device 200 secured to the carrier member in an implantation orientation, the carrier member 406 and the implant device 200 secured thereto may be advanced into a surgical path during an implantation procedure until the implant device 200 is advanced to an implantation position, preferably with the head 202 of the implant device 200 engaging tissue in the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit adjacent a proximal end of the surgical path. Once the implant device 200 is fully advanced to the implantation position, then the snare loop of the snare member 418 may be released to the released configuration for implantation of the implant device 200.

[0040] To reconfigure the snare member 418 from the securement configuration to the released configuration to release the implant device 200 from securement to the carrier member 406, the release member 410 may be retracted along a translation path within the interior working space of the implantation tool 400 by a medical professional pulling back on the end piece 416 to retract the release pin 412 and the release member 410 connected to the release pin 412, and to disengage the distal end portion of the release member 410 from the loop end 440 of the snare member 418. As the loop end 440 of the snare member 418 is released, the loop end 440 is no longer secured in the interior working space within the carrier member 406 and the snare loop is released, releasing the implant device 200 from securement to the carrier member 406, and permitting the implantation tool 400, and accordingly the carrier member 406 to be withdrawn from a surgical path relative to the implant device 200 to leave the implant device 200 implanted in an implantation position through the surgical path to fluidly connect the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit with a paranasal sinus.

[0041] The implantation tool 400 includes a lock member 454 that is normally maintained in a raised position as shown in Figures 19, 21 and 22 by a lock spring 456. In the raised position, the lock member 454 engages the release pin 412 to maintain the release pin 412 in a locked position to prevent premature retraction of the release pin 412 and the release member 410. Prior to pulling back on the end piece 416 to retract the release pin 412, the medical professional would depress the lock member 454 to unlock the release pin 412, and while holding the lock member 454 in the depressed position would pull back on the end piece 416 to retract the release pin 412 and the release member 410. The release spring 414 may initially be in an uncharged state or, preferably, in a charged extension state with the release spring 414 biasing the release pin 412 and the release member 410 toward the proximal end 417 of the implantation tool 400 and urging the end piece 416 toward the release pin 412, such that when a medical professional pulls back on the end piece 416, the medical professional must pull with sufficient force to overcome the biasing force of the release spring 414. As may be appreciated, in the configuration shown for the implantation tool 400 the release spring 414 and the loading spring 450 will be isolated from each other.

[0042] In alternative configurations to the configuration of the implantation tool 400 illustrated in Figures 19-28, an implantation tool with a snare-type securement structure of the type illustrated in Figures 19-28 may be adapted for mounting an implant device with the carrier member extending through the internal passage of the implant device and with a snare loop extending around at least circumferential portion of the exterior of the implant device, for example including alignment of snare exit apertures such as apertures 432 and 434 with features such as side ports 250 of the implant device 200.

[0043] The foregoing description of the present invention and various aspects thereof has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain known modes of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such or other embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the present invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.

[0044] The description of a feature or features in a particular combination do not exclude the inclusion of an additional feature or features in a variation of the particular combination. Processing steps and sequencing are for illustration only, and such illustrations do not exclude inclusion of other steps or other sequencing of steps to an extent not necessarily incompatible. Additional steps may be included between any illustrated processing steps or before or after any illustrated processing step to an extent not necessarily incompatible.

[0045] The terms "comprising", "containing", "including" and "having", and grammatical variations of those terms, are intended to be inclusive and nonlimiting in that the use of such terms indicates the presence of a stated condition or feature, but not to the exclusion of the presence also of any other condition or feature. The use of the terms "comprising", "containing", "including" and "having", and grammatical variations of those terms in referring to the presence of one or more components, subcomponents or materials, also include and is intended to disclose the more specific embodiments in which the term "comprising", "containing", "including" or "having" (or the variation of such term) as the case may be, is replaced by any of the narrower terms "consisting essentially of" or "consisting of" or "consisting of only" (or any appropriate grammatical variation of such narrower terms). For example, a statement that something "comprises" a stated element or elements is also intended to include and disclose the more specific narrower embodiments of the thing "consisting essentially of" the stated element or elements, and the thing "consisting of" the stated element or elements. Examples of various features have been provided for purposes of illustration, and the terms "example", "for example" and the like indicate illustrative examples that are not limiting and are not to be construed or interpreted as limiting a feature or features to any particular example. The term "at least" followed by a number (e.g., "at least one") means that number or more than that number. The term at "at least a portion" means all or a portion that is less than all. The term "at least a part" means all or a part that is less than all.

Claims

1. An implantation tool (300, 400) to implant a paranasal sinus fluid access implant device (200) with an internal fluid communication passage (238) through an artificial, surgical path between a lacrimal apparatus in the orbit and a paranasal sinus in an implantation procedure to provide direct fluid communication access through the internal passage from the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit to the paranasal sinus, the implantation tool comprising: a carrier member (306, 406) configured to carry the implant device on a mounting portion (308, 408) of the carrier member in a mounted orientation to position the implant device in an implantation position through the surgical path from an approach through the palpebral fissure during the implantation procedure; a securement mechanism (340, 342, 344, 346, 418, 420, 440) to secure the implant device in the implantation orientation on the carrier member to carry the implant device to the implantation position during the implantation procedure, the securement mechanism being reconfigurable from a securement configuration to secure the implant device to the mounting portion of the carrier member in the implantation orientation to a released configuration to release the implant device from securement to the carrier member to permit withdrawal of the carrier member relative to the implant device to leave the implant device implanted in the implantation position during the implantation procedure, wherein the securement mechanism comprises at least one securement member (340, 418) positioned to extend over and press against an exterior portion of the implant device in the implantation orientation when the securement mechanism is in the securement configuration; a handle portion (304, 404) connected with the carrier member and configured to remain outside of the surgical path during the implantation procedure and being manipulable by a medical practitioner to direct implantation of the implant device during the implantation procedure; internal working space housed within at least a portion of the handle portion and at least a portion of the carrier member; a release mechanism (310, 312, 318, 322, 352, 410, 414, 456) disposed at least in part in the internal working space and manipulable to reconfigure the securement mechanism from the securement configuration to the released configuration.

2. The implantation tool according to claim 1, wherein at least one said securement member extends distal to a distal end of the mounting portion of the carrier member in the securement configuration to cover a distal end portion of the implant device when mounted on the mounting portion in the implantation orientation.

3. The implantation tool according to either one of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each said securement member is in tension in the securement configuration.

4. The implantation tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a slidable member (310, 314, 316, 324, 410) disposed at least in part in the internal working space in the carrier member, and the securement mechanism comprises a retainment structure (326, 412, 416) on the slidable member to engage and retain a distal portion of at least one said securement member in the securement configuration.

5. The implantation tool according to claim 4, wherein: the slidable member is in a first position when the securement mechanism is in the securement configuration and is in a second position when the securement mechanism is in the released configuration; the second position is slidably retracted toward a proximal end (320, 417) of the implantation tool relative to the first position; the release mechanism comprises a translation path within the internal working space in which at least a proximal portion of the slidable member is slidable when slidably repositioning the slidable member from the first position to the second position; and the release mechanism comprises a spring mechanism (312, 414) in a charged state applying a biasing force to the slidable member when the slidable member is in the first position with the biasing force directed to urging the slidable member toward the second position.

6. The implantation tool according to either one of claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the slidable member has a lumen therethrough configured for passage therethrough of a guide wire to guide a distal end of the implantation tool to the surgical path during an implantation procedure.

7. The implantation tool according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein a said retainment structure and a said distal portion of a said securement member engaged with a said retainment structure in the securement configuration are disposed distal of a distal end of the internal working space in the carrier member.

8. The implantation tool according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one said securement member is configured to extend from inside the interior passage of a said implant device mounted in the implantation orientation on the implant portion of the carrier member, through a side port (250) of the said implant device to outside of the said implant device, from the side port over a said exterior portion of the implant device to a distal end of the implant device and distal to the distal end of the said implant device.

9. The implantation tool according to claim 8, wherein at least two said securement members are each configured to extend from inside the interior passage of a said implant device mounted in the implantation orientation on the implant portion of the carrier member, through a different said side port of the said implant device to outside of the said implant device, from the said side port over a said exterior portion of the implant device to a said distal end of the implant device and distal to the said distal end of the said implant device.

10. The implantation tool according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least one said securement member comprises a sheath member (340) configured to extend over a distal end of the implant device in the implantation orientation when the securement mechanism is in the securement configuration; and the sheath member is configured to cover a radial portion of a circumference around the distal end of the implant device in the implantation orientation when the securement mechanism is in the securement configuration.

11. The implantation tool according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: the length of the mounting portion of the carrier member is in a range of from 8 millimeters to 45 millimeters; the carrier member has a cross-section at a proximal end of the mounting portion with a maximum cross-dimension of the cross section in a range of from 0.7 to 1.2 millimeters; and the implantation tool has a length in a range of from 100 millimeters to 150 millimeters.

12. An implantation assembly for implanting a paranasal sinus fluid access implant device (200) through a surgical path between a lacrimal apparatus in the orbit and a paranasal sinus in an implantation procedure to provide direct fluid communication access from the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit to the paranasal sinus through an internal passage (238) of the implant device, the implantation assembly comprising: the implant device: and the implantation tool (300, 400) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the implant device is mounted in the mounting orientation on the mounting portion of the carrier member with the securement mechanism in the securement configuration.

13. The implantation assembly according to claim 12, wherein the securement mechanism secures the implant device to the carrier member at securement locations, and wherein none of the securement locations are disposed more than 5 millimeters proximal of a distal end of the implant device along the length of the carrier member.

14. The implantation assembly according to either one of claim 12 or claim 13, wherein: the implant device comprises an exterior anchor surface feature to anchor the implant device in tissue between the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit and the paranasal sinus, the exterior anchor surface feature comprising anchor protrusions configured to engage the tissue and recess areas between the anchor protrusions with anchor protrusions and recesses between anchor protrusions; and the securement mechanism contacts a said exterior of the implant device extending over at least one anchor protrusion.