Apparatus and methods for dilating and modifying ostia of paranasal sinuses and other intranasal or paranasal structures
First Claim
1. A method for improving drainage from an ethmoid sinus having an ostium and one or more adjacent ethmoid air cells in a human or animal subject, said method comprising the steps of:
- A) inserting a guide through the ostium and into the ethmoid sinus;
B) advancing an enlarging device over the guide to a position within the ostium and using that enlarging device to enlarge the ostium;
C) advancing a penetrating device into the ethmoid sinus via the enlarged ostium and using that penetrating device to form an opening between the ethmoid sinus and an ethmoid air cell;
D) advancing a guide from the ethmoid sinus, through the formed opening and into the ethmoid air cell; and
E) advancing an enlarging device over the guide of step D to a position within the formed opening and using the enlarging device to enlarge the formed opening.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Sinusitis and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches with flexible or rigid instruments. Various methods and devices are used for remodeling or changing the shape, size or configuration of a sinus ostium or duct or other anatomical structure in the ear, nose or throat; implanting a device, cells or tissues; removing matter from the ear, nose or throat; delivering diagnostic or therapeutic substances or performing other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Introducing devices (e.g., guide catheters, tubes, guidewires, elongate probes, other elongate members) may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g. catheters e.g. balloon catheters, guidewires, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, devices for implanting elements like stents, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for delivering diagnostic or therapeutic agents, substance delivery implants, scopes etc.) into the paranasal sinuses or other structures in the ear, nose or throat.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for improving drainage from an ethmoid sinus having an ostium and one or more adjacent ethmoid air cells in a human or animal subject, said method comprising the steps of:
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A) inserting a guide through the ostium and into the ethmoid sinus; B) advancing an enlarging device over the guide to a position within the ostium and using that enlarging device to enlarge the ostium; C) advancing a penetrating device into the ethmoid sinus via the enlarged ostium and using that penetrating device to form an opening between the ethmoid sinus and an ethmoid air cell; D) advancing a guide from the ethmoid sinus, through the formed opening and into the ethmoid air cell; and E) advancing an enlarging device over the guide of step D to a position within the formed opening and using the enlarging device to enlarge the formed opening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for treating an ethmoid sinus, the method comprising:
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A) inserting a guide through a first wall defining a first ethmoid sinus cavity; B) advancing a penetrating device into the first ethmoid sinus cavity; C) passing the penetrating device through a second wall, wherein the second wall separates the first ethmoid sinus cavity from a second sinus ethmoid cavity, thereby forming an opening between the first and second sinus ethmoid cavity through the second wall; D) advancing an enlarging device into the opening formed in the second wall; and E) enlarging the opening formed in the second wall with the enlarging device. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A method for treating an ethmoid sinus, the method comprising:
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A) inserting a guide through a first opening in a first wall defining a first ethmoid sinus cavity; B) advancing an enlarging device along the inserted guide and through a second opening in second wall, wherein the second wall separates the first ethmoid sinus cavity from a second sinus ethmoid cavity, wherein the second opening is positioned to provide fluid communication between the first and second ethmoid sinus cavities; and C) enlarging the second opening with the enlarging device.
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Specification