Methods and Apparatus for Treating Disorders of the Ear Nose and Throat

• US 20080281156A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 11/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acclarent Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Acclarent Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Morriss, John H., Ha, Hung V., Makower, Joshua, Muni, Ketan P., Kim, Isaac J., Chang, John Y., Vrany, Julia D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,167,961 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/118
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/233 for the nose, i.e. nasoscopes , e.g. testing of patency of Eustachian tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/267 for the respiratory tract, e.g. laryngoscopes, bronchoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/24 for use in the oral cavity, larynx, bronchial passages or nose for medical inspection of cavities or tubes in the body A61B1/00; Tongue scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2804 with two or more pivotal connections A61B17/29 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/282 Jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3445 used as instrument channel for multiple instruments catheters A61B2017/22072
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3447 Linked multiple cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2051 Electromagnetic tracking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2055 Optical tracking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2065 Tracking using image or pattern recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/063 for measuring volume
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0811 for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/376 using X-rays, e.g. fluoroscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3941 Photoluminescent markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3954 magnetic, e.g. NMR or MRI
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/20 Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/361 : Image-producing devices, e.g. surgical cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/50 : Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2029/025 : characterised by the guiding element
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0681 : Sinus (maxillaris)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 29/02 : Dilators made of swellable material balloon catheters for angioplasty A61M25/104

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, including methods and apparatus for dilating ostia, passageways and other anatomical structures, endoscopic methods and apparatus for endoscopic visualization of structures within the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, navigation devices for use in conjunction with image guidance or navigation system and hand held devices having pistol type grips and other handpieces.

Claims

1. A method for adapting a device that is insertable into the body of a human or animal subject to render that device ueseable in conjunction with a navigation system such that the navigation system may determine the location of the device within the subject'"'"'s body, said method comprising the steps of:

A) providing a working device having a proximal portion that remains outside of the subject'"'"'s body, a distal portion that is insertable into the subject'"'"'s body and a reference location on said distal portion;

B) providing an adapter that is attachable to the proximal portion of the working device, said adapter comprising, or being attachable to, a navigation module that is useable by a navigation system to determine the position of the reference location within the subject'"'"'s body;

C) attaching the adapter to the proximal portion of the working device; and

D) inserting the distal portion of the working device into the subject'"'"'s body; and

E) using a navigation system in conjunction with the navigation module to determine the position of the reference location within the subject'"'"'s body.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the navigation module is integrated into or mounted on the adapter before the adapter is attached to the working device.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the adapter is constructed to permit attachment of a navigation module to the adapter and wherein the method further comprises the step of attaching the navigation module to the adaptor.

4. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of calibrating or registering the reference location with the navigation system.