Curved Catheter Navigation for Sinus Dilation Without Guide Wire
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sinuplasty procedures for treating sinusitis and stenosis are complicated by the difficulty in navigating and positioning guide wires through the nasal passage to reach obstructed sinus passages, particularly due to the abrupt angles between the nasal passage and the ostium, leading to increased time and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A method and device involving a catheter with an elongate member that can transition between a straight and curved configuration, allowing it to be advanced through a cannula and navigated to the treatment site without a guide wire, using a balloon for dilation by inflating within the obstructed passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a guide wire is used to navigate through the nasal passage to reach the obstructed sinus passage, then the treatment can be performed, but the procedural complexity and time required increase due to the need to navigate through abrupt angles
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter incorporates a pre-formed curve or bend in its elongate member that matches the anatomical curvature of the nasal passage and ostium. This curved configuration allows the catheter to naturally follow the passage contours and reach the treatment site without requiring complex guide wire navigation through abrupt angles, thereby reducing procedural complexity while maintaining reliable access to the sinus passage.
2Reliability
If a guide wire is used to navigate through the nasal passage to reach the obstructed sinus passage, then the treatment can be performed, but the time required for the procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is pre-configured with a curved shape that anticipates the anatomical pathway of the nasal passage and ostium before the procedure begins. This preliminary shaping eliminates the need for time-consuming manual guide wire navigation and positioning during the procedure, allowing the catheter to be rapidly advanced to the treatment site while ensuring reliable access to the obstructed sinus passage.
3Productivity
If conventional balloon catheter dilation is performed, then the sinus passage can be unblocked, but the procedure requires prior guide wire placement which complicates the process
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the navigation function and dilation function into a single integrated catheter device. The elongate member with its pre-formed curve provides the navigation capability to reach the obstructed sinus passage, while the attached balloon provides the dilation capability. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate guide wire placement and subsequent catheter advancement steps, thereby simplifying the procedure and improving treatment efficiency while maintaining the ability to effectively unblock the sinus passage.
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
Facilitates easier and more efficient treatment of sinus passages by allowing direct navigation and dilation without the need for a guide wire, reducing procedural complexity and time.
Implementation Method 1
the balloon is moveable between a first deflated configuration and a second inflated configuration as fluid is moved into and out of the balloon chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, kits, and methods of treatment are described. More particularly, methods of treating tissue of a passage wall defining a bodily passage, such as a sinus cavity, airway, or sinus passage are described. An exemplary method utilizes an elongate member having an elongate member proximal end, elongate member distal end, and an elongate member body that defines a curve.