Catheters with non-removable guide members useable for treatment of sinusitis
First Claim
1. A method of dilating an opening within a nose, ear, or throat of a human or animal subject, said method comprising the steps of:
- (A) providing a balloon and a non-removable guide member, wherein the balloon comprises a distal end, wherein the balloon defines a longitudinal axis, wherein the non-removable guide member extends distally from the distal end of the balloon, wherein the non-removable guide member is configured to bend relative to the longitudinal axis of the balloon;
(B) inserting a distal portion of the non-removable guide member to pass through the opening within the nose, ear, or throat;
(C) moving the balloon to a location where the balloon is positioned within the opening within the nose, ear, or throat; and
(D) inflating the balloon to cause dilation of the opening within the nose, ear, or throat.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Balloon catheter, guide catheter and method for dilating openings in paranasal sinuses. A non-removable guide member (e.g., guidewire) extends from the distal end of the balloon catheter. The non-removable guide member initially passes through the opening of the paranasal sinus and is followed by the catheter body on which the balloon is mounted. The balloon is then inflated causing dilation of the opening of the paranasal sinus. In some embodiments, the non-removable guide member may be shapeable so that the operator may place the non-removable guide member in a desired shape prior to insertion of the balloon catheter. In some embodiments, the length of the non-removable guide member may be adjustable such that the operator may adjust the length of the non-removable guide member prior to insertion of the balloon catheter.
1020 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of dilating an opening within a nose, ear, or throat of a human or animal subject, said method comprising the steps of:
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(A) providing a balloon and a non-removable guide member, wherein the balloon comprises a distal end, wherein the balloon defines a longitudinal axis, wherein the non-removable guide member extends distally from the distal end of the balloon, wherein the non-removable guide member is configured to bend relative to the longitudinal axis of the balloon; (B) inserting a distal portion of the non-removable guide member to pass through the opening within the nose, ear, or throat; (C) moving the balloon to a location where the balloon is positioned within the opening within the nose, ear, or throat; and (D) inflating the balloon to cause dilation of the opening within the nose, ear, or throat. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of dilating an opening within a nose, ear, or throat of a human or animal subject, said method comprising the steps of:
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(A) providing a device comprising a balloon and a guidewire non-removably attached to the balloon, wherein the guidewire extends distally from a distal end of the balloon, wherein the balloon defines a longitudinal axis, wherein the guidewire is configured to bend relative to the longitudinal axis of the balloon; (B) inserting a distal portion of the guidewire to pass through the opening within the nose, ear, or throat; (C) moving the balloon to a location where the balloon is at least partially positioned through the opening within the nose, ear, or throat; and (D) inflating the balloon to cause dilation of the opening within the nose, ear, or throat. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A method of dilating an opening within a nose, ear, or throat of a human or animal subject, said method comprising the steps of:
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(A) providing a balloon and a flexible guidewire non-removably attached to the balloon, wherein the flexible guidewire extends distally from a distal end of the balloon, wherein the balloon defines a longitudinal axis; (B) inserting a distal portion of the flexible guidewire to pass through the opening within the nose, ear, or throat; (C) moving the balloon through the opening within the nose, ear, or throat to a desired location; and (D) inflating the balloon to cause dilation of the opening within the nose, ear, or throat. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification