EXPANDABLE DEVICES AND METHODS THEREFOR

• US 20110125091A1
• Filed: 05/13/2010
• Published: 05/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intersect ENT, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Intersect ENT, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: ABBATE, Anthony J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,357,640 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/96.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/481 involving the use of contrast agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/01 Filters implantable into blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0105 Open ended, i.e. legs gathered only at one side
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/186 Nose parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/82 Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents stent-grafts for tubular structures of the body other than blood vessels A61F2/04; stent-grafts for blood vessels A61F2/07; instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts A61F2/95; for closing wounds, or holding wounds closed A61B17/04 - A61B17/115; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/08 Devices for correcting deformities of the nose ; Devices for enlarging the nostril, e.g. for breathing improvement
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0043 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/00 Catheters; Hollow probes dilators A61M29/00; peritoneal catheters A61M1/285; tracheal tubes A61M16/04; for drainage A61M27/00; for uterus, vagina or rectum A61M31/00 ; for measuring or testing A61B; materials for catheters A61L29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/00 Devices for introducing or retaining media, e.g. remedies, in cavities of the body A61M25/00 takes precedence ; introducing or retaining ophthalmic products into the ocular cavities A61F9/0008
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/002 Devices for releasing a drug at a continuous and controlled rate for a prolonged period of time artificial gland structures or devices A61F2/022; intra-uterine contraceptive devices A61F6/14; tampons for introducing into the vagina A61F13/20, A61L15/00; suppositories or bougies for intra-vaginal or intra-uterine application A61K9/02; physical forms of medicinal preparations for sustained or differential drug release A61K9/20, A61K9/50

Abstract

Described here are expandable devices and methods for using them. The devices generally comprise a hub and a plurality of legs extending therefrom. In some variations, the hub may comprise one or more domed portions, tapered portions, or the like. The legs may comprise one or more straight segments, one or more curved segments, or a combination thereof. The devices may comprise one or more polymers, and/or one or more portions of the device may be configured to biodegrade. In other variations, the device may be configured to release one or more drugs therefrom. Additionally, in some variations the devices may be configured to be self-expandable from a low-profile configuration to an expanded configuration.

Claims

1. A device for treating one or more nasal or sinus conditions comprising:

a hub, wherein the hub comprises one or more domed surfaces; and

a plurality of legs attached to the hub,

wherein the device has a low-profile configuration and an expanded configuration.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the hub comprises one or more slots, channels, or passageways passing at least partially therethrough.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of legs comprises at least one inwardly-curved segment.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of legs comprises at least one outwardly-curved segment.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is configured to deliver one or more drugs therefrom.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is self-expandable between the low-profile configuration and the expanded configuration.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the device comprises one or more injection-molded polymers.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is biodegradable.

9. A system for treating a sinus or nasal condition comprising:

an introducer comprising a shaft comprising at least one tapered portions; and

a device releasably secured to a distal portion of the introducer,

wherein the device comprises a hub and a plurality of legs, and

wherein the device has a low-profile configuration and an expanded configuration.

10. The system of claim 9 further comprising a sheath.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of legs engages the at least one tapered portions of the introducer when the device is in its low-profile configuration.

12. A method for treating a sinus condition, comprising:

advancing a device in a low-profile configuration to one or more nasal passageways or paranasal sinus cavities, wherein the device comprises a hub and a plurality of legs, wherein at least one leg of the plurality of legs comprises a first straight segment, a first inwardly-curved segment, and a second straight segment angled relative to first straight segment; and

deploying the device in an expanded configuration, such that at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of legs contacts surrounding tissue.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the at least one leg additionally comprises a second outwardly-curved segment.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the at least one leg additionally comprises a second inwardly-curved segment.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the at least one leg additionally comprises a second outwardly-curved segment.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the sinus condition is nasal polyposis, and wherein the surrounding tissue comprises one or more nasal polyps.

17. A device comprising:

a hub; and

a plurality of legs attached to the hub,

wherein at least one of the plurality of legs has a rectangular cross-sectional shape and wherein the device has a low-profile configuration and an expanded configuration.

18. The device of claim 17 further comprising a hub extension.

19. The device of claim 17 further comprising one or more meshes, membranes or films connecting at least two legs.

20. The device of claim 17 wherein at least one of the plurality of legs comprises one or more anchoring components.

21. The device of claim 17 wherein the device comprises one or more drug-reservoirs.

22. The device of claim 21 wherein the drug-reservoirs are preloaded.

23. The device of claim 17 wherein the at least one rectangular leg comprises a first longitudinal channel.

24. The device of claim 17 wherein the at least one rectangular leg comprises a second longitudinal channel, wherein the first and second longitudinal channels extend along opposite side of the rectangular leg.