Endoscopic methods and devices for transnasal procedures

• US 8,146,400 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2007
• Issued: 04/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acclarent Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Acclarent Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Goldfarb, Eric, Jenkins, Thomas R., Kim, Isaac J., Vo, Tom T., Wisted, Thomas J., Harfe, Daniel T.
• Primary Examiner(s): TOLAN, EDWARD THOMAS
• Application Number:
  US11/888,107
• Publication Number:
  US 20070293726A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,708 Days
• Field of Search: 721/48, 722/83, 723/671, 723/68, 723/71, 724/651, 724/66, 724/668, 724/669, 724/78, 721/35, 721/37, 604/525, 604/526, 604/530, 600/140, 600/143, 600/182, 600/585, 296/05, 296/06, 140/71.C
• US Class Current: 72/466.9
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0014 Fastening element for attaching accessories to the outside of an endoscope, e.g. clips, clamps or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00154 using guiding arrangements for insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00165 with light-conductive means, e.g. fibre optics A61B1/07 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/01 Guiding arrangements therefore
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/04 combined with photographic or television appliances
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0607 for annular illumination
• 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 1/267 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 2090/306 using optical fibres

Abstract

Medical devices, systems and methods that are useable to facilitate transnasal insertion and positioning of guidewires and various other devices and instruments at desired locations within the ear, nose, throat, paranasal sinuses or cranium. Direct viewing of such placements via an endoscope.

Claims

1. A method of making an illuminating guidewire, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a coil having a predetermined length and diameter;

inserting mandrels through an annulus of the coil;

inserting a first core support into the coil and fixing a portion of the first core support at a predetermined length from a distal end of the coil;

removing a mandrel and inserting a second core support;

fixing said second core support at predetermined locations along a length thereof, to the coil and fixing the first core support at additional locations along the length thereof to the coil; and

inserting illumination fibers.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein mandrels are inserted into the coil after the coil is formed.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein inserting the first core support into the coil occurs after inserting mandrels through the annulus of the coil.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein removing the mandrel occurs after inserting the first core support into the coil.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein fixing said second core support occurs after removing the mandrel.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the illuminating fibers emit light energy.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising inserting first, second and third mandrels through the annulus of the coil.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising replacing the first mandrel with the second core support.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising replacing the second mandrel with a first illuminating fiber.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising replacing the third mandrel with a second illuminating fiber.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising opening a pitch between adjacent coils of the coil.