Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the ear nose and throat
First Claim
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1. A seeker/guide system accessing a paranasal sinus of a patient, said system comprising:
- a luminal seeker apparatus comprising;
i) a rigid shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, a proximal region, a bend closer to the distal end than to the proximal end, and a length configured to extend from just outside of a nostril of a patient to an opening of a paranasal sinus of the patient;
ii) an enlarged, atraumatic tip at the distal end of the shaft; and
iii) a lumen extending through the shaft and terminating distally in an opening in the atraumatic tip; and
a guidewire advanceable through the lumen of the luminal seeker apparatus and into a paranasal sinus of the patient;
wherein the luminal seeker apparatus further comprises a slit along a portion of the length of the shaft, starting at the proximal region, through which the guidewire may be withdrawn, and extending to just proximal of the atraumatic tip.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, including methods and apparatus for dilating ostia, passageways and other anatomical structures, endoscopic methods and apparatus for endoscopic visualization of structures within the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, navigation devices for use in conjunction with image guidance or navigation system and hand held devices having pistol type grips and other handpieces.
872 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A seeker/guide system accessing a paranasal sinus of a patient, said system comprising:
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a luminal seeker apparatus comprising; i) a rigid shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, a proximal region, a bend closer to the distal end than to the proximal end, and a length configured to extend from just outside of a nostril of a patient to an opening of a paranasal sinus of the patient; ii) an enlarged, atraumatic tip at the distal end of the shaft; and iii) a lumen extending through the shaft and terminating distally in an opening in the atraumatic tip; and a guidewire advanceable through the lumen of the luminal seeker apparatus and into a paranasal sinus of the patient; wherein the luminal seeker apparatus further comprises a slit along a portion of the length of the shaft, starting at the proximal region, through which the guidewire may be withdrawn, and extending to just proximal of the atraumatic tip. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification