Balloon Catheter Dilation for Constricted Sinus Passageways
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for sinusitis, such as functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), are invasive and can cause significant pain, bleeding complications, and may not be suitable for all patients due to cost or fear of the procedure, and there is a need for less invasive methods to address constricted sinus passageways and promote sinus drainage.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of an elongate member with an inflation member, such as a balloon catheter, to expand constricted sinus passageways, and the use of visualization tools and wire guides to access and dilate sinus cavities, along with stabilization devices to secure tools in place, facilitating less invasive sinus treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is performed to treat sinusitis, then sinus drainage is improved, but patient pain and bleeding complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and parameters of the sinus passageway by using balloon dilation to mechanically expand the constricted ostium. This non-cutting approach dilates the passage through controlled expansion rather than surgical removal, thereby improving drainage while avoiding the trauma-associated pain and bleeding of traditional FESS
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical cutting system of traditional FESS with a dilation-based mechanical system. Instead of using surgical instruments to cut and remove tissue, the patent employs a balloon catheter that inflates to mechanically expand the sinus ostium, substituting a less invasive mechanical action for the more traumatic surgical approach
2Reliability
If FESS surgery is performed to widen sinus outlets, then sinus drainage is improved, but post-operative healing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the sinus passageway through balloon dilation, creating an immediate mechanical expansion of the ostium. This approach provides immediate drainage improvement without the extended healing period required by surgical cutting, as the dilation creates a patent passage without significant tissue trauma that would require prolonged recovery
3Reliability
If traditional surgery is used to treat sinusitis, then sinus drainage is improved, but procedure cost and patient accessibility decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the complex surgical mechanical system of FESS with a simpler balloon dilation system that can be delivered through catheters. This substitution of a less complex mechanical approach reduces procedural complexity, operating room requirements, and associated costs, thereby improving patient accessibility while maintaining drainage improvement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a balloon catheter as an intermediary device that delivers the therapeutic effect without requiring full surgical exposure. This intermediary approach allows the procedure to be performed with less invasive access, reducing the need for extensive surgical infrastructure and lowering overall procedure costs while achieving the desired drainage improvement
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for effective dilation of constricted sinus passageways, reducing the need for invasive surgery and minimizing post-operative pain, while providing a more accessible and potentially cost-effective treatment option for sinusitis patients.
Implementation Method 1
The inflation member is positioned within the constricted sinus passageway. The inflation member is then expanded so as to expand at least a portion of the constricted sinus passageway.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for manipulating a guide catheter within a patient's nasal passages or sinus cavities includes a guide catheter formed from an elongate flexible member having a lumen passing there through. A wire guide is slidably disposed within the lumen of the guide catheter. The system further includes a steering member fixedly secured to a proximal end of the wire guide and a proximal hub secured to a proximal end of the guide catheter. The system further includes a recessed handle having a first recess for fixedly receiving the proximal hub of the guide catheter and a second recess for receiving the steering member, the second recess being dimensioned to permit axial and rotational movement of the steering member while disposed in the second recess.