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Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the ear, nose and throat

  • US 8,961,398 B2
  • Filed: 10/31/2007
  • Issued: 02/24/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for enlarging an ostium of a paranasal sinus, the method comprising:

  • (a) inserting an endoscopic guide system into a nasal cavity or paranasal sinus, wherein the endoscopic guide system comprises;

    (i) a tubular guide having a proximal end, a distal end and, a lumen that extends longitudinally therethrough, wherein the distal end of the tubular guide comprises a curved distal tip having a distal opening, wherein the distal tip is flexible,(ii) an endoscope incorporated in or attached to the tubular guide;

    (b) advancing the distal end of the tubular guide within the nasal cavity or paranasal sinus toward the ostium while viewing the tubular guide using the endoscope by maintaining an outer surface of the tubular guide within a field of view of the endoscope;

    (c) rotating the tubular guide relative to the endoscope and within the nasal cavity or paranasal sinus, about a longitudinal axis defined by the tubular guide, to thereby orient the distal opening of the distal tip toward the ostium;

    (d) advancing a balloon dilatation catheter though the lumen of the tubular guide and over a guidewire to position a balloon of the catheter in the ostium; and

    (e) inflating the balloon to enlarge the ostium.

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