Devices, systems and methods for diagnosing and treating sinusitis and other disorders of the ears, nose and/or throat
First Claim
1. A device for removing polyps or other tissue from the nose, nasopharynx or paranasal sinus, said device comprising:
- a flexible catheter having a distal end and a lumen;
a flexible tube having an open distal end and a lumen extending therethrough, said flexible tube being rotatably disposed within a lumen of the catheter such that the flexible tube may rotate while the catheter does not rotate;
a rotating cutter on the distal end of the flexible tube;
an opening formed in the catheter such that matter may be received through the opening and cut by the rotating cutter;
a moveable retractor apparatus that is operative to retract matter that has entered the opening into contact with the rotating cutter; and
at least one bearing disposed between the catheter and the flexible tube.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Sinusitis, enlarged nasal turbinates, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, allergic conditions, facial fractures and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air/gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies, endoscopic studies and transillumination studies. Access and occluder devices may be used to establish fluid tight seals in the anterior or posterior nasal cavities/nasopharynx and to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g., scopes, guidewires, catheters, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for injecting diagnostic or therapeutic agents, devices for implanting devices such as stents, substance eluting devices, substance delivery implants, etc.
909 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A device for removing polyps or other tissue from the nose, nasopharynx or paranasal sinus, said device comprising:
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a flexible catheter having a distal end and a lumen; a flexible tube having an open distal end and a lumen extending therethrough, said flexible tube being rotatably disposed within a lumen of the catheter such that the flexible tube may rotate while the catheter does not rotate; a rotating cutter on the distal end of the flexible tube; an opening formed in the catheter such that matter may be received through the opening and cut by the rotating cutter; a moveable retractor apparatus that is operative to retract matter that has entered the opening into contact with the rotating cutter; and at least one bearing disposed between the catheter and the flexible tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A device for removing polyps or other tissue from the nose, nasopharynx or paranasal sinus, said device comprising:
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a flexible catheter having a distal end and a lumen; a flexible tube having an open distal end and a lumen extending therethrough, said flexible tube being rotatably disposed within a lumen of the catheter such that the flexible tube may rotate while the catheter does not rotate; a rotating cutter on the distal end of the flexible tube; an opening formed in the catheter such that matter may be received through the opening and cut by the rotating cutter, wherein the opening defines a side opening formed in the side of the catheter; and a moveable retractor apparatus that is operative to retract matter that has entered the opening into contact with the rotating cutter, wherein the moveable retractor apparatus comprises an elongate member having a retractor head, said elongate member being advanceable in a distal direction to move the retractor head to a location distal to the side opening and retractable in the proximal direction to move the retractor head in the proximal direction such that the retractor head will propel matter that has entered the opening into contact with the rotating cutter.
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Specification