Sliding Balloon Catheter for Sinus Dilation Without X-Ray
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sinusitis treatment methods require radioscopy for precise positioning of balloon catheters, which exposes patients to X-rays and is not minimally invasive.
Innovation Solution
A balloon catheter device with a slidable camera and LED light allows for easy positioning and visualization within the nasal cavity without radioscopy, enabling dilation of the paranasal sinus ostium for effective treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If radioscopy is used for positioning the balloon catheter, then positioning precision is improved, but patient exposure to X-rays increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the radioscopy system (X-ray based positioning) with a camera-based visual positioning system. The camera is disposed at the distal end of the balloon catheter to capture images of the nasal cavity, allowing operators to position the balloon accurately using visual feedback instead of X-ray imaging, thereby eliminating patient exposure to ionizing radiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a camera as an intermediary device between the operator and the target site. The camera captures visual information from within the nasal cavity and transmits it to the operator, serving as a mediator that enables precise positioning without requiring direct X-ray exposure of the patient.
2Device complexity
If a fixed camera position is used in the balloon catheter, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to assess complete ostium dilation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the camera position dynamic rather than fixed. The camera is disposed on the balloon catheter such that it can be positioned at different locations along the balloon length. This allows the camera to be moved to optimal positions for capturing images at different stages of balloon inflation, enabling comprehensive assessment of ostium dilation while maintaining reasonable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the camera positioning function from the balloon inflation function. The camera can be independently positioned along the balloon catheter length, allowing separate optimization of imaging and dilation functions. This segmentation enables the system to assess complete ostium dilation by positioning the camera at various points without complicating the overall device architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprises providing a balloon catheter device; locating a balloon portion within a paranasal sinus ostium while the balloon portion is in the first position such that a distal end of the balloon portion is at a distal end of a paranasal sinus ostium; inflating the balloon portion while the balloon portion is located in the paranasal sinus ostium such that at least a portion of the paranasal sinus ostium is dilated; sliding the balloon portion back to a second position while leaving the distal end of a guide member at the distal end of the paranasal sinus ostium; and viewing an image provided by a camera to determine whether an entirety of the paranasal sinus ostium has been dilated.