Methods and devices for protecting nasal turbinate during surgery

• US 8,485,199 B2
• Filed: 05/08/2007
• Issued: 07/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acclarent Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Acclarent Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Morriss, John
• Primary Examiner(s): FARAH, AHMED M
• Application Number:
  US11/801,407
• Publication Number:
  US 20080281300A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,261 Days
• Field of Search: 606/196, 606/199, 606/201, 606/204, 606/204.45, 128/898, 602/5, 602/6, 602/17, 600/101, 600/103, 600/112
• US Class Current: 128/898
• 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 2090/0427 Prevention of contact
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/00 Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups A61B1/00 - A61B50/00, e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges protective face masks A41D13/11; surgeon's or patient's gowns or dresses A41D13/12; devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body liquids A61M1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/04 Protection of tissue around surgical sites against effects of non-mechanical surgery, e.g. laser surgery protection of eyes against laser radiation A61F9/022

Abstract

Devices and methods are provided which shield at least one turbinate from trauma or damage during sinus surgery that could be caused by direct contact with diagnostic and therapeutic devices. The devices and methods provided are particularly useful for protecting nasal turbinates during FESS and FTIS procedures.

Claims

1. A method for protecting a turbinate, comprising:

introducing a turbinate protector into a patient;

locating a target turbinate;

positioning a turbinate protector on the target turbinate;

wherein the positioning comprises;

positioning a first protecting portion of the turbinate protector adjacent to a first side of the turbinate;

positioning a second protecting portion of the turbinate protector adjacent to a second side of the turbinate;

positioning a bridge region of the turbinate protector adjacent to the anterior or inferior portion of the turbinate;

performing paranasal surgery; and

removing the turbinate protector from the patient.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the introducing of the turbinate protector comprises inserting the turbinate protector through the nasal passage of the patient.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the locating comprises visualizing the selected or target turbinate via endoscopic imaging.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the locating comprises visualizing the selected or target turbinate by fluoroscopic imaging utilizing a radio-opaque marker on the turbinate protector.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the positioning further comprises contacting the turbinate with an inside surface of the turbinate protector.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising securing the inside surface of the turbinate protector to the turbinate with a bioadhesive located on the inner surface.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the positioning comprises:

moving the first and second protecting portions of the turbinate protector to an open position;

positioning the target turbinate between the first and second protecting portions; and

moving the first and second protecting portions to a closed position.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the positioning further comprises:

applying an opening force to the first and second protecting portions to move the first and second portions to the open position; and

removing the opening force from the first and second protecting portions, to move the first and second protecting portions to the closed position.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the positioning further comprises:

applying an opening force to the bridge region to move the first and second portions to the open position; and

removing the opening force from the bridge region, to move the first and second protecting portions to the closed position.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the positioning further comprises:

positioning the first protecting portion adjacent to a first side of the turbinate;

positioning the second protecting portion adjacent to a second side of the turbinate; and

positioning the bridge region adjacent to an anterior or inferior portion of the turbinate.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the positioning further comprises:

applying an opening force to first and second control elements, the first and second control elements being mechanically coupled to the first and second protecting portions; and

removing the opening force from the control elements.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the performing paranasal surgery comprises performing an FESS surgery.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the performing paranasal surgery comprises performing an FTSI surgery.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the removing comprises opening the first and second protecting portions;

releasing the turbinate from the turbinate protector; and

withdrawing the turbinate protector from the patient nasal cavity via the nostril.