Methods for enlarging ostia of paranasal sinuses

摘要

Sinusitis and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches with flexible or rigid instruments. Various methods and devices are used for remodeling or changing the shape, size or configuration of a sinus ostium or duct or other anatomical structure in the ear, nose or throat; implanting a device, cells or tissues; removing matter from the ear, nose or throat; delivering diagnostic or therapeutic substances or performing other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Introducing devices (e.g., guide catheters, tubes, guidewires, elongate probes, other elongate members) may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g. catheters e.g. balloon catheters, guidewires, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, devices for implanting elements like stents, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for delivering diagnostic or therapeutic agents, substance delivery implants, scopes etc.) into the paranasal sinuses or other structures in the ear, nose or throat. Specific devices (e.g., tubular guides, guidewires, balloon catheters, tubular sheaths) are provided as are methods for manufacturing and using such devices to treat disorders of the ear, nose or throat.

主权项

1. A method for using a balloon that has a non-expanded configuration and an expanded configuration to dilate a natural paranasal sinus ostium that has not previously been surgically altered, the natural paranasal sinus ostium being formed by mucosa with unfractured bone underlying the mucosa, said method comprising the steps of:
(A) advancing an elongate guide having a distal end and a lumen to a position within or near the natural paranasal sinus ostium (B) inserting a balloon catheter through the lumen of the elongate guide to position a balloon of the balloon catheter beyond the distal end of the guide and within the natural paranasal sinus ostium; (C) expanding the balloon within the natural paranasal sinus ostium sufficiently to break, remodel, or rearrange the bone underlying the mucosa of the ostium thereby enlarging the natural paranasal sinus ostium to an enlarged ostium; and (D) deflating the balloon, removing the balloon catheter from the enlarged ostium, and removing the elongate guide from near the ostium.