Abstract: An apparatus includes a handle assembly, a guide assembly, and a dilation catheter. The guide assembly extends distally from the handle assembly. The guide assembly includes a malleable guide member and a flexible guide member. The distal end of the flexible guide member is distal to the distal end of the malleable guide member. The flexible guide member is positioned about the malleable guide member and is slidable along the malleable guide member. The dilation catheter is slidably disposed about the flexible guide member.

Abstract: An inflator comprises a body, a first drive member, and a second drive member. The body defines a reservoir that is configured to hold fluid and includes an outlet. The first drive member is operable to move through the reservoir to drive fluid from the reservoir through the outlet. The second drive member is engaged with the first drive member. The second drive member is movable relative to the body through a first range of motion to actuate the first drive member to drive fluid through the outlet at a first rate. The second drive member is movable relative to the body through a second range of motion following the first range of motion. The first drive member is configured to either drive fluid through the outlet at a second rate or not drive fluid through the outlet as the second drive member moves through the second range of motion.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a power source, a pulse generator, a light source, a guidewire, an optical fiber, and a connector. The pulse generator is in electrical communication with the power source. The pulse generator is also capable of generating an electric pulse. The light source is in electrical communication with the pulse generator in such a way that the light source turns on and off in response to the electric pulse received from the pulse generator. The guidewire includes a proximal end and a distal end. The optical fiber extends through the guidewire from the proximal end of the guidewire towards the distal end of the guidewire. The connector couples with the guidewire while allowing the light source to communicate with the optical fiber.

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.

Abstract: A system for delivering a fluid to a Eustachian tube (ET) of a patient includes a guide member and a tubular member. The guide member includes a shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a bend at the distal portion. The bend is configured to provide access to an opening in the ET. The system further includes a tubular member comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. The tubular member is sized to fit within the ET. One or both of the tubular member and the guide member comprises a first stop member configured to engage the other of the tubular member or the guide member. The first stop member is configured to restrict a distal advancement of the tubular member relative to the guide member.

Abstract: A dilation catheter device and system for dilating an opening in a paranasal sinus and/or other passageways within the ear, nose or throat is disclosed. A dilation catheter device and system is constructed in a manner that facilitates ease of use by the operator and, in at least some cases, allows the dilation procedure to be performed by a single operator. Additionally, the dilation catheter device and system may be useable in conjunction with an endoscope and/or a fluoroscope to provide for easy manipulation and positioning of the devices and real time visualization of the entire procedure or selected portions thereof. In some embodiments, shaft markers are disposed on a shaft of the dilation catheter and have a light color to contrast with a dark color of the dilation catheter shaft. The high contrast between the markers and catheter shaft allows for easy viewing of the markers in low light and operation conditions.

Abstract: A method of dilating a first Eustachian tube (ET) and a second ET of a patient using a dilation catheter includes directing the dilation catheter into the mouth of the patient and advancing the dilation catheter into a first ET on one side of the patient's head while a proximal portion of the dilation catheter is disposed in the mouth of the patient. The method further includes expanding the expandable member to thereby dilate the first ET. The method may further include repositioning the dilation catheter relative to a second ET on another side of the patient's head and advancing the dilation catheter into the second ET while a proximal portion of the dilation catheter is disposed in the mouth of the patient. The method may further include expanding the expandable member to thereby dilate the second ET.

Abstract: A dilation catheter includes a shaft and an expandable element. The shaft includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion includes a tip and a bend. The tip is sized and configured to pass through an isthmus of a Eustachian tube (ET). The bend is proximal to the tip. The bend is formed at an angle configured to provide insertion of the tip into the isthmus of the ET via an ear canal associated with the ET. The expandable element is disposed at the distal portion of the shaft. The expandable element is configured to transition between a non-expanded state and an expanded state. The expandable element in the non-expanded state is configured for insertion into the ET via the isthmus. The expandable element in the expanded state is configured to dilate the ET.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body and a conduit. The body comprises an absorbent material. The conduit is in fluid communication with the body. The conduit has a suction opening positioned within the absorbent material. The conduit is operable to draw fluid away from the absorbent material. The apparatus may be positioned within the posterior choana or the nasopharynx of a patient using a deployment instrument. The apparatus may prevent fluids from draining from the nasal cavity into the patient's throat. In some instances, the apparatus is used as a plug during a sinus irrigation procedure to prevent irrigation fluid from traveling down the patient's throat.

Abstract: A gripping system for use in treating the sinus cavity is described. The system includes a handle for single handed operation that includes access to the sinus cavity and treatment by dilation of an anatomical passageway within the ear, nose or throat. The handle contains a guide catheter or seeker for proper placement of the system and further includes a balloon catheter cartridge for treatment of the cavity. The handle may further contain a guidewire cartridge to ensure proper access of the cavity or a stabilizing feature for incorporation of an endoscope.

Abstract: A guide member system includes a guide member, a light source, and a detector. The guide member comprises at least one illumination fiber. The at least one illumination fiber distally transmits the light projected by the light source from the proximal end of the guide member to the distal end of the guide member. The distal end of the guide member is projects the distally transmitted light. The distal end of the guide member receives light projected from the distal end of the guide member and reflected back toward the distal end of the guide member. The at least one illumination fiber proximally transmits the reflected light from the distal end of the guide member to the proximal end of the guide member. The proximal end of the guide member projects the proximally transmitted light toward the detector. The detector detects the proximally transmitted light.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods wherein a dilator, such as a balloon or other expandable member, is positionable within the frontal sinus ostium and adjacent frontal recess and useable to dilate the frontal sinus ostium and substantially all of the frontal sinus recess without requiring repositioning and repeated re-expansion of the dilator. One balloon catheter device of the invention comprises a catheter body that is less than about 50 cm in length (and in some embodiments less than 25 cm in length and a semi-compliant or non-compliant balloon on the catheter body. The balloon may have a working length of about 12 mm to about 30 mm and a width at its widest point when fully inflated of about 2 mm to about 7 mm. Such balloon may be constructed to withstand inflation pressures of about 12 atmospheres. In some embodiments, the dilator is advanced through or over a guide (e.g., guidewire or guide catheter) that has a preformed shape.

Abstract: A system for dilating a Eustachian tube (ET) of a patient includes a guide member and a dilation catheter. The guide member includes a bent distal portion that is configured to provide access to an opening in the ET. The dilation catheter is slidable relative to the guide member. The dilation catheter includes a shaft, an expandable element, and an actuator. The expandable element is disposed at the distal portion of the shaft. The actuator includes a grasping portion and an actuating member. The expandable element is configured to transition to an expanded configuration in response to actuation of the actuating member. The grasping portion and actuating member are configured to be grasped in a single hand of an operator to enable the operator to advance the dilation catheter relative to the guide member and to transition the expandable element between expanded and unexpanded configurations with the single hand.

Abstract: A dilation apparatus includes a shaft, a dilation balloon, and a standoff member. The shaft includes a first lumen and a second lumen. The distal end of the second lumen is proximal to the distal end of the first lumen. The dilation balloon encompasses the second distal end of the second lumen such that the dilation balloon defines an interior in fluid communication with the second lumen. A distal portion of the standoff member is positioned within the interior of the dilation balloon. The distal portion of the standoff member is distal to the second distal end of the second lumen. The standoff member provides a pathway for fluid communication between the interior of the dilation balloon and the second lumen. The standoff member may include a tube, a thread, polymeric beading, or other structures.

Abstract: An instrument comprises a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly comprises a first shaft member including a distal cutting feature, and a second shaft member. The first shaft member is slidable relative to the second shaft member. At least a distal portion of the shaft assembly is sized to fit through a nostril. The instrument further comprises a body. At least a portion of the shaft assembly extends distally relative to the body. The body comprises a grounding feature sized and positioned to engage one or more external anatomical structures adjacent to the nostril. The instrument further comprises a dampener. The dampener resists advancement of the first shaft member relative to the second shaft member.

Abstract: A method of securing a turbinate to a nasal septum includes positioning an instrument in a nostril. The turbinate and nasal septum are pierced. The instrument is used to urge a barbed suture through the pierced turbinate and nasal septum. The turbinate is medialized against the nasal septum by urging the turbinate against the septum. The barbed suture holds the turbinate in a medialized state against the nasal septum.

Abstract: A suctioning and irrigating sinus balloon catheter is provided for treating a patient's paranasal sinus system, including dilating prepared openings, and natural ostia and ducts and excising sinus cavities and choana. The catheter has a number of fluid carrying conduits to provide irrigation, suction and inflation/deflation to the distally mounted balloon. The catheters have sufficient stiffness and column strength that the balloon carrying distal segment of the catheter can be pushed into the prepared opening, natural ostium or duct, choana or sinus to be excised. Some catheters can be hand bendable by the surgeon. Some catheters provide the capability of threading an endoscope through one of the conduits. The methods use the balloon catheters to dilate prepared openings to selected parts of the sinus system, to dilate natural ostia and ducts of the sinus system, choana, and/or to dilate sinus cavities to remove them.

Abstract: A dilation catheter system is provided to dilate the ostium of a paranasal sinus; or to dilate some other anatomical passageway (e.g., within the ear, nose, or throat, etc.). The dilation catheter system may include a dilation catheter, a dilator, a guide catheter, and an inflator. The dilation catheter may be positioned between the dilator and the inflator. The guide catheter may be inserted within the affected passageway to allow the dilator to be positioned through the guide catheter and into the affected passageway. The inflator may then be actuated to transfer fluid from the inflator, through the dilation catheter, and into the dilator. The transfer of fluid may inflate the dilator to an expanded state to open or dilate the affected passageway.

Abstract: A dilation catheter system is provided to dilate the ostium of a paranasal sinus or some other anatomical passageway (e.g., within the ear, nose, or throat, etc.). The system may include a dilation catheter, a dilator, a guide catheter, and an inflator. The dilation catheter may be positioned between the dilator and the inflator. The guide catheter is configured to guide the dilator into the affected passageway. The inflator may then be actuated to transfer fluid from the inflator, through the dilation catheter, and into the dilator. The transfer of fluid may inflate the dilator to an expanded state to open or dilate the affected passageway. The inflator may include a body, a plunger assembly, and locking features that selectively secure the position of the plunger assembly relative to the body by moving along a path that is transverse to a longitudinal axis defined by the plunger assembly.

Abstract: A dilation catheter system comprises a guide member, a dilation catheter, and an image sensor. The guide member includes a shaft comprising a distal end and a proximal end. The shaft further defines a longitudinal axis. The dilation catheter is movable relative to the guide catheter member and comprises an expandable dilator. The expandable dilator is sized to fit within one or both of a Eustachian tube or a passageway associated with a paranasal sinus. The image sensor is configured to provide visualization within anatomy of a patient. The image sensor is integral with the guide member.