Paranasal ostium finder devices and methods
First Claim
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
- (a) an elongated shaft, wherein the elongated shaft comprises;
(i) a distal end,(ii) a proximal end, and(iii) a curved region between the proximal and distal ends;
(b) a handle joined to the proximal end;
(c) a longitudinal interior channel extending through the shaft and the handle;
(d) an extensible and retractable guide wire movably mounted within the interior channel;
(e) a probe tip joined to an end of the guide wire, wherein the probe tip is configured to fit through a passageway in a paranasal cavity;
(f) an actuator element associated with the handle and mechanically coupled to the guide wire, wherein the guide wire is extensible and retractable according to adjustment of the actuator element relative to the handle; and
(g) an expandable dilator slidably disposed around a portion of an exterior of the elongate shaft;
wherein the actuator element is slidably mounted within a slot on the handle; and
wherein the shaft further comprises an elongated tubular inner sheath and an elongated tubular outer sheath, the inner sheath positioned within the outer sheath.
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Abstract
Devices and methods for locating sinus ostia and positioning a guide wire within the sinus ostia. The subject devices include a shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, a curved region located between the distal and proximal ends, and an interior channel, an extensible and retractable guide wire movably mounted within the interior channel and a probe tip joined to the guide wire. Certain devices further include expandable portions for engaging and treating body anatomy.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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(a) an elongated shaft, wherein the elongated shaft comprises; (i) a distal end, (ii) a proximal end, and (iii) a curved region between the proximal and distal ends; (b) a handle joined to the proximal end; (c) a longitudinal interior channel extending through the shaft and the handle; (d) an extensible and retractable guide wire movably mounted within the interior channel; (e) a probe tip joined to an end of the guide wire, wherein the probe tip is configured to fit through a passageway in a paranasal cavity; (f) an actuator element associated with the handle and mechanically coupled to the guide wire, wherein the guide wire is extensible and retractable according to adjustment of the actuator element relative to the handle; and (g) an expandable dilator slidably disposed around a portion of an exterior of the elongate shaft;
wherein the actuator element is slidably mounted within a slot on the handle; and
wherein the shaft further comprises an elongated tubular inner sheath and an elongated tubular outer sheath, the inner sheath positioned within the outer sheath. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus, comprising:
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(a) an elongated shaft, wherein the elongated shaft comprises; (i) a distal end, (ii) a proximal end, (iii) a curved region between the proximal and distal ends, (iv) an elongated tubular inner sheath, and (v) an elongated tubular outer sheath, wherein the inner sheath is positioned within the outer sheath, wherein the outer sheath includes a first slot and the inner sheath includes a second slot; (b) a handle joined to the proximal end; (c) a longitudinal interior channel extending through the shaft and the handle; (d) an extensible and retractable guide wire movably mounted within the interior channel, wherein the first and second slots are structured and configured to allow the guide wire to be inserted into and removed from the interior channel through the first and second slots when the first and second slots are aligned with each other; (e) a probe tip joined to an end of the guide wire, wherein the probe tip is configured to fit through a passageway in a paranasal cavity; and (f) an actuator element associated with the handle and mechanically coupled to the guide wire, wherein the guide wire is extensible and retractable according to adjustment of the actuator element relative to the handle.
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13. An apparatus, comprising:
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(a) an elongated shaft, wherein the elongated shaft comprises; (i) a distal end, (ii) a proximal end, (iii) a curved region between the proximal and distal ends, (iv) a front portion comprising a slot, and (v) a back portion joined to the front portion, the front and back portions defining a tubular shape; (b) a handle joined to the proximal end; (c) a longitudinal interior channel extending through the shaft and the handle, wherein the interior channel is located between the front portion and the back portion, the slot communicating with the interior channel; (d) an extensible and retractable guide wire movably mounted within the interior channel, wherein the slot is structured and configured to allow the guide wire to be inserted into and removed from the interior channel through the slot; (e) a probe tip joined to an end of the guide wire, wherein the probe tip is configured to fit through a passageway in a paranasal cavity; and (f) an actuator element associated with the handle and mechanically coupled to the guide wire, wherein the guide wire is extensible and retractable according to adjustment of the actuator element relative to the handle.
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Specification