Balloon Dilation Catheter for Ethmoid Sinus Ostium

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for treating ethmoid sinusitis, such as ethmoidectomy, are invasive and can cause damage to surrounding anatomical structures, and there is a need for a less invasive approach to improve fluid communication within the ethmoid sinus without resorting to aggressive procedures.

Innovation Solution

A dilation catheter system with an inflatable dilator and an illuminating guidewire, combined with a variable direction view endoscope, is used to dilate the ostium of the ethmoid sinus, allowing for improved drainage and ventilation without incision or bone removal, and deployment of ports or wicks to enhance fluid communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional ethmoidectomy is performed to treat ethmoid sinusitis, then fluid communication within the ethmoid sinus is improved, but damage to surrounding anatomical structures occurs and the procedure becomes invasive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid communicationVSAvoiddamage to surrounding structures

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state and properties of a balloon catheter from deflated to inflated state. The balloon is inflated with fluid to dilate the ostium of the ethmoid sinus, creating a controlled opening that improves fluid communication without removing bone or incising mucosa, thus avoiding damage to surrounding structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the traditional mechanical ethmoidectomy procedure (removal of bone and tissue) with a balloon dilation mechanism. The balloon catheter is positioned within the ostium and inflated to mechanically dilate the opening, achieving the same goal of improving drainage without the invasive bone removal and tissue incision required in traditional surgery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If an inflatable balloon is used to dilate the ostium, then the procedure becomes less invasive without incision or bone removal, but the complexity of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinvasivenessVSAvoidballoon catheter system

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The balloon catheter system is designed to perform multiple functions: positioning the balloon within the ostium, inflating it to dilate the opening, and deflating it for removal. The same catheter assembly handles all these operations, reducing the need for multiple separate instruments and simplifying the overall procedure despite the added complexity of the inflation mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If an illuminating guidewire is used to visualize the distal end position, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidguidewire system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The illuminating guidewire acts as an intermediary tool between the operator and the distal end of the catheter. By incorporating an illumination source and optical fibers into the guidewire, it provides visual feedback about the catheter's position and orientation, allowing precise positioning without requiring complex imaging equipment or multiple separate visualization devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The system effectively dilates the ostium, improves drainage and ventilation of the ethmoid sinus, reduces the risk of damage to surrounding structures, and provides a less invasive alternative to traditional treatments, enhancing patient outcomes.

Implementation Method 1

inflating the balloon with a fluid (e.g., saline) to dilate the anatomical passageway... the expandable balloon may be positioned within an ostium at a paranasal sinus and then be inflated, to thereby dilate the ostium by remodeling the bone adjacent to the ostium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical expansion: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

illuminated, with light projecting from the distal end of the guidewire. This light may illuminate the adjacent tissue and thus be visible to the naked eye from outside the patient through transcutaneous illumination

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Data Source

PatentUS9629684B2Apparatus and method for treatment of ethmoid sinusitis

Publication Date: 2017.04.25 ACCLARENT INC

AI summary

An apparatus may be used to form an opening in a sinus wall. The apparatus comprises a first cutting member and a second cutting member. The first cutting member comprises a helical blade. The second cutting member is slidably disposed about the first cutting member. The second cutting member comprises a sharp distal edge. An outer sheath is slidably disposed about the first and second cutting member. The sheath may be retracted to uncover the helical blade. The second cutting member may be advanced over the first cutting member to form a circular opening in the sinus wall. The sheath may include an obliquely angled distal edge. A cleaning instrument may be used to clean debris from the first cutting member.