BALLOON CATHETER WITH IMAGE CAPTURE AND LIGHT EMISSION FEATURES

• US 20160287059A1
• Filed: 08/14/2015
• Published: 10/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acclarent Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Acclarent Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Ha, Hung V., Muni, Ketan P., Nguyen, Andy, Chan, Randy S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,931,026 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00082 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00094 Suction openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/04 combined with photographic or television appliances
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/07 using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/227 for ears, i.e. otoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/233 for the nose, i.e. nasoscopes , e.g. testing of patency of Eustachian tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/32 Devices for opening or enlarging the visual field, e.g. of a tube of the body dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0047 the inner layer having a higher lubricity
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0681 Systems with catheter and outer tubing, e.g. sheath, sleeve or guide tube
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0675 Eustachian tube
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0041 pre-formed, e.g. specially adapted to fit with the anatomy of body channels urethral catheters A61F2/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0097 characterised by the hub connectors A61M39/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/10 Balloon catheters A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02; inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 ; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 29/02 Dilators made of swellable material balloon catheters for angioplasty A61M25/104

Abstract

A dilation catheter system comprises a guide member, a dilation catheter, and an image sensor. The guide member includes a shaft comprising a distal end and a proximal end. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis. The dilation catheter comprises an expandable dilator and is movable relative to the guide member. The expandable dilator is sized to fit within one or both of a Eustachian tube or a passageway associated with a paranasal sinus. The image sensor is configured to provide visualization within anatomy of a patient. The image sensor is integral with the dilation catheter.

Claims

1. A dilation catheter system, wherein the dilation catheter system comprises:

(a) a guide member, wherein the guide member includes a shaft comprising a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the shaft defines a longitudinal axis;

(b) a dilation catheter movable relative to the guide member, wherein the dilation catheter comprises an expandable dilator, wherein the expandable dilator is sized to fit within one or both of a Eustachian tube or a passageway associated with a paranasal sinus; and

(c) an image sensor, wherein the image sensor is configured to provide visualization within anatomy of a patient, wherein the image sensor is integral with the dilation catheter.

2. The dilation catheter system of claim 1, wherein the guide member comprises a first alignment feature, wherein the dilation catheter comprises a second alignment feature.

3. The dilation catheter system of claim 2, wherein the first alignment feature of the guide member and the second alignment feature of the dilation catheter are configured to engage with each other to rotationally fix the dilation catheter relative to the guide member.

4. The dilation catheter system of claim 3, wherein the first alignment feature of the guide member comprises a cavity having a non-circular cross-sectional shape, wherein the second alignment feature comprises an elongate member having a non-circular cross-sectional shape, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the cavity corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the elongate member such that the elongate member is insertable into the cavity.

5. The dilation catheter system of claim 4, wherein the first alignment feature of the guide member comprises a keyway, wherein the second alignment feature of the dilation catheter comprises a key.

6. The dilation catheter system of claim 1, wherein the image sensor is located distal to the expandable dilator.

7. The dilation catheter system of claim 1, wherein the dilation catheter includes a round distal tip, wherein the round distal tip is distal to the expandable dilator.

8. The dilation catheter system of claim 7, wherein the image sensor is located in the round distal tip.

9. The dilation catheter system of claim 7, wherein the round distal tip includes at least one vent opening configured to provide ventilation through the dilation catheter.

10. The dilation catheter system of claim 1, further comprising at least one illumination source.

11. The dilation catheter system of claim 10, wherein the at least one illumination source comprises a light emitting diode.

12. The dilation catheter system of claim 10, wherein the at least one illumination source comprises an illuminating fiber.

13. The dilation catheter system of claim 10, wherein the at least one illumination source is configured to project light distally relative to the dilation catheter, thereby illuminating a field of view of the image sensor.

14. The dilation catheter system of claim 1, wherein the guide member comprises a guide catheter defining a lumen, wherein the dilation catheter is slidably disposed in the lumen of the guide catheter.

15. The dilation catheter system of claim 1, wherein the dilation catheter has a flexible distal section, wherein the expandable dilator and the image sensor are located in the flexible distal section.

16. A catheter system, wherein the catheter system comprises:

(a) a guide member, wherein the guide member comprises a shaft, wherein the shaft includes at least one lumen extending longitudinally through the shaft; and

(b) a working instrument, wherein the working instrument is insertable into the lumen of the guide member, wherein the working instrument comprises;

(i) a distal end, wherein the distal end is sized to fit within one or both of a Eustachian tube or a passageway associated with a paranasal sinus,

(ii) a proximal end, and

(iii) an image sensor, wherein the image sensor is disposed on the distal end of the working instrument.

17. The catheter system of claim 16, wherein the working instrument further comprises an actuator, wherein the actuator includes an alignment feature, wherein the alignment feature is configured to engage at least a portion of the guide member to prevent at least a portion of the working instrument from rotating relative to the guide member, wherein the alignment feature of the actuator is further configured to permit translation of the working instrument relative to the guide member when the alignment feature is engaged with the at least a portion of the guide member.

18. The catheter system of claim 16, wherein the working instrument further comprises an expandable dilator, wherein the expandable dilator is proximal to the image sensor.

19. A method of using a dilation catheter system, wherein the dilation catheter system comprises a guide member and a dilation catheter, wherein the guide member is configured to slidably receive the dilation catheter, wherein the dilation catheter includes an image sensor and an alignment feature, wherein the alignment feature is configured to engage with at an alignment feature of the guide member to prevent rotation of the dilation catheter relative to the guide member, wherein the dilation catheter further comprises an expandable dilator, wherein the method comprises:

(a) inserting the guide member into a nostril of a patient;

(b) advancing the guide member toward a passageway in the nasal cavity or nasopharynx;

(c) viewing the passageway via the image sensor;

(d) advancing the dilation catheter into the passageway, wherein the alignment feature of the dilation catheter is engaged with the alignment feature of the guide member during the act of advancing the dilation catheter into the passageway; and

(e) expanding the dilator of the dilation catheter within the passageway.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the passageway comprises a Eustachian tube.