Abstract: Described herein are methods and devices for delivering a drug to the frontal sinus system. An inflatable implant is positioned within the frontal sinus system using an anchoring means secured within the frontal sinus cavity. A drug-containing fluid is released directly into the frontal sinus drainage system.

Abstract: The invention describes a sinus balloon catheter and methods of use. Specifically a sinus balloon catheter for dilating a sinus cavity lumen is provided with a tip that can be extended. The catheter comprises a guide tube with a proximal and distal end, a sleeve member, a balloon disposed upon the sleeve member and a rounded tip arranged at the distal end and extendable along with the extension of the sleeve member.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and devices for delivering a drug to the frontal sinus system. An inflatable implant is positioned within the frontal sinus system using an anchoring means secured within the frontal sinus cavity. A drug-containing fluid is released directly into the frontal sinus drainage system.

Abstract: A method of treating a sinus cavity of a subject includes advancing a distal portion of a light source through a drainage pathway of a sinus cavity and into the sinus cavity and visually observing a transdermal light emitted from the light source. A distal portion of a substantially rigid inner guide member of a balloon dilation catheter is advanced into the drainage pathway, the balloon dilation catheter including a movable shaft including a balloon that is slidably mounted on the substantially rigid inner guide member. The movable shaft and balloon are advanced distally over the substantially rigid inner guide member to place a portion of the balloon in the drainage pathway whereby the balloon is inflated.

Abstract: A system for manipulating a guide catheter within a patient's nasal passages or sinus cavities includes a guide catheter formed from an elongate flexible member having a lumen passing there through. A wire guide is slidably disposed within the lumen of the guide catheter. The system further includes a steering member fixedly secured to a proximal end of the wire guide and a proximal hub secured to a proximal end of the guide catheter. The system further includes a recessed handle having a first recess for fixedly receiving the proximal hub of the guide catheter and a second recess for receiving the steering member, the second recess being dimensioned to permit axial and rotational movement of the steering member while disposed in the second recess.

Abstract: An inflation device includes a syringe body containing a bore. The bore holds a fluid that is used to inflate a separate device such as a dilation balloon. A plunger assembly slides within the syringe bore and contains a sealing member that forms a fluid tight seal with the syringe body. A shut-off valve is disposed within the distal end of the syringe body. The distal end of the syringe body has a fluid bypass channel fluidically coupled to the aperture of a connector. The shut-off valve has a spring-biased moveable piston with a bypass lumen contained therein, wherein the bypass lumen forms a fluid path between the bore and the fluid bypass channel when the pressure of the fluid is below a threshold value. The fluid path between the bore and the fluid bypass channel is interrupted when the pressure of the fluid is above the threshold value.

Abstract: A system for manipulating a guide catheter within a patient's nasal passages or sinus cavities includes a guide catheter formed from an elongate flexible member having a lumen passing there through. A wire guide is slidably disposed within the lumen of the guide catheter. The system further includes a steering member fixedly secured to a proximal end of the wire guide and a proximal hub secured to a proximal end of the guide catheter. The system further includes a recessed handle having a first recess for fixedly receiving the proximal hub of the guide catheter and a second recess for receiving the steering member, the second recess being dimensioned to permit axial and rotational movement of the steering member while disposed in the second recess.

Abstract: An inflation device includes a syringe body containing a bore. The bore holds a fluid that is used to inflate a separate device such as a dilation balloon. A plunger assembly slides within the syringe bore and contains a sealing member that forms a fluid tight seal with the syringe body. A shut-off valve is disposed within the distal end of the syringe body. The distal end of the syringe body has a fluid bypass channel fluidically coupled to the aperture of a connector. The shut-off valve has a spring-biased moveable piston with a bypass lumen contained therein, wherein the bypass lumen forms a fluid path between the bore and the fluid bypass channel when the pressure of the fluid is below a threshold value. The fluid path between the bore and the fluid bypass channel is interrupted when the pressure of the fluid is above the threshold value.

Abstract: A method of treating a constricted sinus passageway of a patient includes traversing the canine fossa region of the patient so as to form a passageway in the sinus cavity. A cannula is positioned in the passageway. A visualization tool such as an endoscope is passed through a lumen or channel in the cannula to aid in visualization of the anatomical site of interest. A balloon dilation catheter is then deployed through or along the cannula so as to place the balloon within or across the constricted anatomical space (e.g., ostium). The balloon is then expanded so as to expand at least a portion of the constricted anatomical space. Alternative embodiments include the use of an optional guide wire and incorporating a endoscope lumen through the balloon dilation catheter.

Abstract: A balloon dilation catheter includes a substantially rigid inner guide member and a movable shaft coupled to a balloon that is slidably mounted on the substantially rigid inner guide member. To treat a sinus cavity of a subject using the balloon dilation the substantially rigid inner guide member is advanced into a drainage pathway of the sinus (e.g., frontal recess) of the subject via a nasal passageway. The shaft and balloon are advanced in a distal direction over the substantially rigid inner guide member to place the balloon in the drainage pathway. The balloon is inflated to expand or otherwise remodel the drainage pathway.

Abstract: A balloon dilation catheter includes a substantially rigid inner guide member and a movable shaft coupled to a balloon that is slidably mounted on the substantially rigid inner guide member. To treat a sinus cavity of a subject using the balloon dilation the substantially rigid inner guide member is advanced into a drainage pathway of the sinus (e.g., frontal recess) of the subject via a nasal passageway. The shaft and balloon are advanced in a distal direction over the substantially rigid inner guide member to place the balloon in the drainage pathway. The balloon is inflated to expand or otherwise remodel the drainage pathway.

Abstract: A balloon dilation catheter includes a substantially rigid inner guide member and a movable shaft coupled to a balloon that is slidably mounted on the substantially rigid inner guide member. To treat a sinus cavity of a subject using the balloon dilation the substantially rigid inner guide member is advanced into a drainage pathway of the sinus (e.g., frontal recess or maxillary sinus) of the subject via a nasal passageway. The shaft and balloon are advanced in a distal direction over the substantially rigid inner guide member to place the balloon in the drainage pathway. The balloon is inflated to expand or otherwise remodel the drainage pathway.

Abstract: A method of treating a sinus cavity of a subject includes advancing a distal portion of a light source through a drainage pathway of a sinus cavity and into the sinus cavity and visually observing a transdermal light emitted from the light source. A distal portion of a substantially rigid inner guide member of a balloon dilation catheter is advanced into the drainage pathway, the balloon dilation catheter including a movable shaft including a balloon that is slidably mounted on the substantially rigid inner guide member. The movable shaft and balloon are advanced distally over the substantially rigid inner guide member to place a portion of the balloon in the drainage pathway whereby the balloon is inflated.

Abstract: Surgical forceps suited for use in the compression of turbinates in the human nasal system. The forceps are designs to prevent excessive tissue trauma as the turbinates are compressed. The compressed turbinates can provide additional maneuvering room within the nasal anatomy to perform subsequent surgical procedures.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and devices for delivering a drug to the frontal sinus system. An inflatable implant is positioned within the frontal sinus system using an anchoring means secured within the frontal sinus cavity. A drug-containing fluid is released directly into the frontal sinus drainage system.

Abstract: A system for accessing a sinus cavity of a subject includes an access tool configured to penetrate into the sinus cavity from a location external the subject. The system further includes an access sheath having a distal tubular portion, a lumen extending through the access sheath and the distal tubular portion and dimensioned to receive the access tool, the distal tubular portion comprising one or more cutting surfaces disposed about an external surface thereof. The one or more cutting surfaces may include a plurality of longitudinally oriented grooves for flutes disposed about the periphery of the distal tubular member.

Abstract: A balloon dilation catheter includes a substantially rigid inner guide member and a movable shaft coupled to a balloon that is slidably mounted on the substantially rigid inner guide member. To treat a sinus cavity of a subject using the balloon dilation the substantially rigid inner guide member is advanced into a drainage pathway of the sinus (e.g., frontal recess or maxillary sinus) of the subject via a nasal passageway. The shaft and balloon are advanced in a distal direction over the substantially rigid inner guide member to place the balloon in the drainage pathway. The balloon is inflated to expand or otherwise remodel the drainage pathway.

Abstract: A system for accessing a sinus cavity of a subject includes an access tool configured to penetrate into the sinus cavity from a location external the subject. The system further includes an access sheath having a distal tubular portion, a lumen extending through the access sheath and the distal tubular portion and dimensioned to receive the access tool, the distal tubular portion comprising one or more cutting surfaces disposed about an external surface thereof. The one or more cutting surfaces may include a plurality of longitudinally oriented grooves for flutes disposed about the periphery of the distal tubular member.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a substantially rigid shaft having a distal end and a proximal portion, the shaft having a first lumen and a second lumen separate from the first lumen, the second lumen containing one or more objective lenses disposed at the distal end thereof. A housing is mounted on the proximal portion of the shaft, the housing including an eyepiece mount and a light input port. An image fiber bundle is disposed in the second lumen, the image fiber bundle extending proximally from adjacent the one or more objective lenses to the eyepiece mount. An illumination fiber bundle is disposed in the second lumen, the illumination fiber bundle extending proximally from the distal end of the shaft to the light input port.

Abstract: A system for manipulating a guide catheter within a patient's nasal passages or sinus cavities includes a guide catheter formed from an elongate flexible member having a lumen passing there through. A wire guide is slidably disposed within the lumen of the guide catheter. The system further includes a steering member fixedly secured to a proximal end of the wire guide and a proximal hub secured to a proximal end of the guide catheter. The system further includes a recessed handle having a first recess for fixedly receiving the proximal hub of the guide catheter and a second recess for receiving the steering member, the second recess being dimensioned to permit axial and rotational movement of the steering member while disposed in the second recess.