UNCINATE PROCESS SUPPORT FOR ETHMOID INFUNDIBULUM ILLUMINATION

摘要

A dilation apparatus comprises an elongate member and a dilation assembly that is slidable along the elongate member. The dilation assembly comprises a platform and an inflatable dilator. The platform and the elongate member cooperate to absorb inflation forces from the dilator directed toward the longitudinal axis of the elongate member, such that the dilation forces are exerted against tissue asymmetrically relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member. The dilation apparatus may be used to dilate the ethmoid infundibulum in a human patient. Various devices may be used to maintain the dilated state of an ethmoid infundibulum, including a wedge, a mesh, and a tether. An illuminator may be configured to reach around an uncinate process, retract the uncinate process, and then illuminate the ethmoid infundibulum to provide improved visualization of the ethmoid infundibulum.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
(a) an elongate member, wherein the elongate member defines a longitudinal axis; and (b) a dilation assembly slidable relative to the elongate member, wherein the dilation assembly comprises:
(i) an inflatable dilator, wherein the inflatable dilator is operable to expand from a non-inflated state to an inflated state, wherein the inflatable dilator is configured to slide along a path defined by the elongate member,(ii) a constraining member secured to the inflatable dilator, wherein the constraining member is positioned and configured to restrict expansion of the inflatable dilator in one direction transverse to the longitudinal axis while permitting expansion of the inflatable dilator in another direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, and(iii) a conduit in fluid communication with the dilator.