Abstract: An apparatus includes a proximal portion and a distal portion attached to the proximal portion. The proximal portion includes a proximal surface. The proximal portion defines a first pathway and a second pathway that both extend distally from the proximal surface. The first pathway is dimensioned to receive a shaft while the second pathway is dimensioned to receive a navigation guidewire. The distal portion includes a distal tip terminating into a distal end. The second pathway extends from the proximal portion into the distal tip.

Abstract: A system (11) includes a medical probe (36) for insertion into a cavity of an organ, which includes a position and direction sensor (60) and a camera (45), both operating in a sensor coordinate system (62). The system further includes a processor (44) configured to: receive, from an imaging system (21) operating in an image coordinate system (28), a three-dimensional image of the cavity including open space and tissue; receive, from the medical probe, signals indicating positions and respective directions of the medical probe inside the cavity; receive, from the camera, respective visualized locations inside the cavity; register the image coordinate system with the sensor coordinate system so as to identify one or more voxels in the image at the visualized locations, and when the identified voxels have density values in the received image that do not correspond to the open space, to update the density values of the identified voxels to correspond to the open space.

Abstract: A suction instrument includes a proximal end, a distal end configured to be positioned within or adjacent to an anatomical passageway of a patient, and a suction lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. The suction lumen is configured to provide suction at the distal end. A navigation sensor is disposed along a portion of the suction lumen and is operable to generate an electrical signal corresponding to a location of the portion within the patient. A coupling feature is disposed at the proximal end and is configured to releasably couple the proximal end with a body.

Abstract: A lavage catheter for the treatment of a maxillary sinus is described. The catheter comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion comprises an irrigation tip. The irrigation tip has a tip opening through which fluid may be delivered by one handed operation of the catheter. A method for lavaging the maxillary sinus includes inserting the lavage catheter into a patient's anatomy and advancing the irrigation tip into the maxillary sinus using one hand.

Abstract: An array of sensors may be used to perform touchless registration of landmarks of a patient's face before an ENT procedure in order to associate those landmarks with pre-operative images in three-dimensional space, which is required for image guided surgery features such as navigation. Touchless or light-touch registration may improve accuracy by avoiding the need for substantial pressing against a patient's skin, which may deform and thereby introduce erroneous registration data. A sensor may also be implemented in forms other than an array such as handheld probe having a single sensor as opposed to an array.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a handle assembly, a guide member extending distally from the handle assembly, and a dilation catheter slidably disposed relative to the guide member. The dilation catheter includes an expandable element configured to dilate a paranasal sinus ostium of a patient. A navigation sensor is movably disposed at the distal end of the guide member and is operable to generate a signal corresponding to a location thereof within the patient. The navigation sensor is configured to translate distally with the dilation catheter relative to the guide member when a distal end of the dilation catheter translates distally beyond the distal end of the guide member. The navigation sensor is further configured to assume a position at the distal end of the guide member when the distal end of the dilation catheter retracts proximally of the distal end of the guide member.

Abstract: A bio-absorbable implant is configured to bear radially outwardly against a Eustachian tube of a patient. The implant includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion includes an array of dilating bodies and a tether assembly. The dilating bodies are formed of a bio-absorbable material and are dimensioned to bear radially outwardly against the Eustachian tube of the patient. The tether assembly connects adjacent dilating bodies of the array of dilating bodies. The tether assembly is configured to allow restricted movement of the array of dilating bodies to thereby change the longitudinal profile of the proximal portion. The distal portion includes an anchor assembly that is configured to secure the bio-absorbable implant in the Eustachian tube of the patient.

Abstract: An instrument includes a handle assembly, a shaft, a dilation catheter, and a position sensor. The shaft extends distally from the handle assembly. The shaft includes a distal end that is configured to be introduced into an anatomical passageway within a head of a human. The dilation catheter includes an expandable dilator and is configured to advance distally relative to the shaft. The position sensor is configured to generate signals indicating a position of the position sensor within the head. The position sensor is configured to advance distally between at least first and second positions. The position sensor is disposed adjacent the distal end of the shaft in the first position, and is configured to be carried further distally by the dilation catheter to the second position. In the second position, the position sensor is separated a distance from the distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a bod, an actuation assembly, and a guide catheter extending distally from the body. The guide catheter includes an open proximal end, an open distal end, a rigid proximal portion, a bendable distal portion, and a pull wire extending from the bendable distal portion to the rigid proximal portion. A proximal end of the pull wire is coupled with the actuation assembly. The actuation assembly is operable to translate the pull wire relative to the rigid proximal portion to thereby articulate the bendable distal portion.

Abstract: A plug is configured to maintain position within a Eustachian tube of a patient. The plug includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion includes a first body dimensioned bear radially outwardly against the Eustachian tube of the patient. The distal portion includes an anchoring assembly that is configured to lock the plug in the Eustachian tube of the patient. The plug may be formed of a bioabsorbable material.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a shaft, an expandable dilator, and at least one ventilation pathway. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis and comprises a distal and proximal ends with at least one shaft lumen. The expandable dilator comprises body with its own proximal and distal ends. The body is configured to transition between a contracted state and an expanded state. The body is configured to dilate a Eustachian tube of a patient in the expanded state. The at least one ventilation pathway is configured to provide ventilation from the distal end of the body to the proximal end of the body when the body is in the expanded state. In some examples, the ventilation pathway comprises a set of transversely oriented vent openings formed through the shaft. In some other examples, the ventilation pathway comprises a space defined between one or more radially outwardly protruding features of the expandable dilator.

Abstract: A suction instrument includes a grip portion and a cannula. The grip portion includes a suction port and defines a first lumen. The cannula extends distally from the grip portion. The cannula defines a second lumen in fluid communication with the first lumen of the grip portion. The cannula includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion of the cannula defines a first portion of the second lumen. The first portion of the second lumen has a first cross-sectional area. The distal portion terminates into an open distal end. The distal portion of the cannula defines a second portion of the second lumen. The second portion of the second lumen has a second cross-sectional area. The second cross-sectional area is smaller than the first cross-sectional area.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacture includes a helical wire coil and a core wire. The core wire has a first wire portion and a second wire portion. The first wire portion of the core wire extends through the helical wire coil. The second wire portion of the core wire is intertwined with the first helical wire coil to fixedly secure the core wire relative to the first helical wire coil. The core wire is formed from a first material that is non-extensible. The core wire is fixedly secured relative to a distal portion of the helical wire coil such that the core wire inhibits longitudinal elongation of the helical wire coil along a longitudinal coil axis.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an elongate shaft, a dilation balloon, and a fitting member. The elongate shaft includes an inflation lumen, an irrigation lumen, and at least one irrigation opening. The at least one irrigation opening is in fluid communication with the irrigation lumen. The dilation balloon is at the distal portion of the shaft. The dilation balloon is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen. The fitting member is at the proximal end of the shaft. The fitting member includes an inflation fluid port, an irrigation fluid port, and a blocking structure. The inflation fluid port is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen. The irrigation fluid port is in fluid communication with the irrigation lumen. The blocking structure is adjacent to the irrigation fluid port and defines a gap around the irrigation fluid port.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a first shaft, an actuation assembly, and a dilation catheter. The first shaft includes a malleable distal portion. The actuation assembly includes a second shaft and an actuator. The second shaft is coaxially positioned about the first shaft. The actuator is operable to selectively bend the malleable distal portion of the first shaft. The dilation catheter is coaxially interposed between the first shaft and the second shaft. The dilation catheter includes an expandable dilator. The dilation catheter is operable to translate along the malleable distal portion of the first shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft, an expandable dilation member, and a bulbous tip. The shaft has a first outer cross-sectional dimension. The dilation member is positioned proximal to the distal end of the shaft. The dilation member is operable to transition between a non-expanded configuration and an expanded configuration. The dilation member is sized to pass through a passageway associated with drainage of a paranasal sinus or a Eustachian tube when the dilation member is in the non-expanded configuration. The bulbous tip is positioned at the distal end of the shaft. The bulbous tip is distal to the dilation member. The bulbous tip has a second outer cross-sectional dimension. The second outer cross-sectional dimension is larger than the first outer cross-sectional dimension. The bulbous tip is removably secured to the distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a cannula assembly and a sensor assembly. The cannula assembly includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a first lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The cannula is formed of a rigid material. The sensor assembly includes a sensor and a communication wire. The sensor is fixed to the cannula assembly. The communication wire is in electrical communication with the sensor. The communication wire extends along a length of the cannula assembly exterior to the first lumen.

Abstract: A guide catheter for use in treating sinuses, the catheter including a catheter shaft configured to provide suction about a balloon catheter and a distal portion shaped for navigating body anatomy. In one embodiment, the guide catheter includes a valve for sealing the balloon catheter and a vent for controlling suction.

Abstract: A virtual endoscopic view shows a surgical area and surrounding anatomy and may also show a position of a surgical instrument in use during a surgical procedure, allowing a surgeon to virtually view the surgical area when direct viewing or actual endoscopic views are incomplete, obstructed, or otherwise unavailable or undesirable. In order to render the endoscopic view, an IGS navigation system may be configured with an observer point and an observer orientation within 3-D space based upon user inputs. A user interface for defining these points allows a user to view a virtual endoscopic preview in real-time while providing inputs, thus improving the likelihood that the resulting virtual endoscopic view is as desired by the user; and reducing time spent redefining and reconfiguring the virtual endoscopic view. The virtual endoscopic preview may provide combinations of static and dynamic images to illustrate the spatial relationship of the provided inputs.

Abstract: Shapeable guide catheters and methods for manufacturing and using such shapeable guide catheters. In one embodiment, the shapeable guide catheter comprises a tubular member having a shapeable region, a malleable shaping member attached to the shapeable region such that, when the shape of the shapeable region is changed from a first shape to a second shape, the shaping member will plastically deform to thereafter substantially hold the shapeable region in the second shape, a tubular outer jacket disposed about the outer surface of the tubular member and a tubular inner jacket disposed within the lumen of the tubular member. The shapeable region of the guide catheter may be manually formed into a desired shape before insertion of the guide catheter into the body. In some embodiments, the guide catheter is sized to be inserted through a nostril of a human patient and used to guide the transnasal insertion of another device (e.g., a guidewire, catheter, etc.