Abstract: An electrosurgical device having a tubular outer shaft and an inner shaft is disclosed. The tubular outer shaft includes an axis and a distal end region. The distal end region includes a distal-most tip and a cutting edge defining a window in the outer shaft proximal along the axis to the distal-most tip. The inner shaft inner shaft coaxially maintained within the outer shaft such that the inner shaft is movable about the axis with respect to the outer shaft and wherein a portion of the inner shaft is exposed in the window of the outer shaft. A first electrode is disposed on the outer shaft in a region proximal along the axis to the window, and a second electrode is electrically isolated from the first electrode and disposed on the inner shaft. The second electrode is exposed in the window of the outer shaft.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical device is disclosed that operates in a mechanical cutting mode and a hemostasis mode. The device includes a housing and a blade assembly extending from the housing. The blade assembly forms a cutting tip and cutting window at a distal end region to provide mechanical cutting of tissue and first and second electrode assemblies to provide electrical energy to tissue. The first electrode assembly includes an outer shaft defining a first electrode surface and the second electrode assembly includes an electrode body extending along and electrically isolated from an outer shaft and defining a U-shape in cross section.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical device is disclosed that operates in a mechanical cutting mode and a hemostasis mode. The device includes a housing and a blade assembly extending from the housing. The blade assembly forms a cutting tip and cutting window at a distal end region to provide mechanical cutting of tissue and first and second electrode assemblies to provide electrical energy to tissue. The first electrode assembly includes an outer shaft defining a first electrode surface and the second electrode assembly includes an electrode body extending along and electrically isolated from an outer shaft and defining a U-shape in cross section.

Abstract: An inflation device useful for inflating a balloon provided with a surgical instrument, such as a balloon sinus dilation instrument. The inflation device includes a syringe, a connector, and mechanical pressure indicator. The syringe includes a plunger slidably disposed within a barrel. The connector is configured to fluidly connect an outlet of the syringe with a surgical instrument balloon in establishing a closed inflation system between the syringe and an interior of the balloon. The pressure indicator is associated with the syringe and is configured to transition from a non-alert state to an alert state when a pressure of the inflation system has reached a predetermined level. In some embodiments, the inflation device is characterized by the absence of a pressure gauge.

Abstract: A method of limiting an inflation system pressure for dilating a region of a patient's nasal sinus passageways. The method includes grasping an inflation device. The inflation device includes a syringe including a plunger slidably disposed within a barrel, a connector for fluidly connecting an outlet of the syringe with a surgical instrument balloon, and a mechanical pressure indicator associated with the syringe, the mechanical pressure indicator including a housing and an indicator body disposed within the housing. The method also includes delivering the surgical instrument balloon to a patient's paranasal sinus target area, operating the plunger within the barrel of the syringe to deliver pressurized fluid to the surgical instrument balloon, and transitioning the indicator body to extend outside of the housing when a predetermined inflation pressure of the surgical instrument balloon is reached.

Abstract: An inflation device for selectively inflating a balloon of a surgical instrument including a syringe, a connector, a mechanical pressure indicator, and a relief port. The syringe includes a plunger slidably disposed within a barrel. The connector fluidly connects an outlet of the syringe with a surgical instrument balloon to establish a closed inflation system between the syringe and an interior of the balloon. The mechanical pressure indicator is associated with the syringe and configured to transition from a non-alert state to an alert state when a pressure of the inflation system has reached a predetermined level. The relief port is associated with the mechanical pressure indicator and configured to relieve a pressure of the inflation system when the system at least reaches the predetermined level.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface and a first location configured to be positioned at the patient's vocal folds. A first electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially below the first location to receive EMG signals primarily from below the vocal folds. A second electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially above the first location to receive EMG signals primarily from above the vocal folds. The first and second electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient.

Abstract: A sinus dilation instrument useful with a navigation system and including a handle, a rigid probe, a balloon, and an identifier device. The probe extends from the handle, forms a curved segment, and carries the balloon. The identifier device is programmed to generate a signal indicative of an instrument identification assigned to the instrument, and is a frontal, maxillary or sphenoid sinus instrument. The signal is formatted to be recognized by an IGS. Once connected, the IGS recognizes the instrument and can retrieve information indicative of a spatial location of the balloon, for example via an instrument tracking device. A surgeon can “plug and play” the sinus dilation instrument with the IGS to perform a procedure.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering multiple components that is assembled using snap-fit assembly and threadless engagement of syringes and associated parts.

Abstract: A sinus dilation instrument useful with a navigation system and including a handle, a rigid probe, a balloon, and an identifier device. The probe extends from the handle, forms a curved segment, and carries the balloon. The identifier device is programmed to generate a signal indicative of an instrument identification assigned to the instrument, and is a frontal, maxillary or sphenoid sinus instrument. The signal is formatted to be recognized by an IGS. Once connected, the IGS recognizes the instrument and can retrieve information indicative of a spatial location of the balloon, for example via an instrument tracking device. A surgeon can “plug and play” the sinus dilation instrument with the IGS to perform a procedure.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical device is disclosed that operates in a mechanical cutting mode and a hemostasis mode. The device includes a housing and a blade assembly extending from the housing. The blade assembly forms a cutting tip and cutting window at a distal end region to provide mechanical cutting of tissue and first and second electrode assemblies to provide electrical energy to tissue. The first electrode assembly includes an outer shaft defining a first electrode surface and the second electrode assembly includes an electrode body extending along and electrically isolated from an outer shaft and defining a U-shape in cross section.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical device including an outer shaft, an inner shaft, first and second electrode surfaces, and an irrigation channel. The outer shaft defines a lumen, a proximal end and a distal end forming a cutting window. The inner shaft is rotatably disposed within the outer shaft, and defines a distal portion forming a cutting tip. The cutting tip and the cutting window combine to define a cutting implement. The first and second electrode surfaces are electrically isolated, and are formed at the cutting implement. The irrigation channel extends parallel to the outer shaft, and terminates in at least one outlet port. The outlet port is proximally spaced from the cutting window and is located radially outside of the outer shaft. Fluid (e.g., saline) is emitted at the exterior surface of the device near the cutting window and is readily present for interacting with the electrode surfaces.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical device is disclosed that operates in a mechanical cutting mode and a hemostasis mode. The device includes a housing and a blade assembly extending from the housing. The blade assembly forms a cutting tip and cutting window at a distal end region to provide mechanical cutting of tissue and first and second electrode assemblies to provide electrical energy to tissue. The first and second electrode assemblies can each include a rotary connection assembly to allow spatial orientation of the cutting window relative to the housing and/or cutting tip.

Abstract: An inflation device useful for inflating a balloon provided with a surgical instrument, such as a balloon sinus dilation instrument. The inflation device includes a syringe, a connector, and mechanical pressure indicator. The syringe includes a plunger slidably disposed within a barrel. The connector is configured to fluidly connect an outlet of the syringe with a surgical instrument balloon in establishing a closed inflation system between the syringe and an interior of the balloon. The pressure indicator is associated with the syringe and is configured to transition from a non-alert state to an alert state when a pressure of the inflation system has reached a predetermined level. In some embodiments, the inflation device is characterized by the absence of a pressure gauge.

Abstract: An inflation device for selectively inflating a balloon of a surgical instrument including a syringe, a connector, a mechanical pressure indicator, and a relief port. The syringe includes a plunger slidably disposed within a barrel. The connector fluidly connects an outlet of the syringe with a surgical instrument balloon to establish a closed inflation system between the syringe and an interior of the balloon. The mechanical pressure indicator is associated with the syringe and configured to transition from a non-alert state to an alert state when a pressure of the inflation system has reached a predetermined level. The relief port is associated with the mechanical pressure indicator and configured to relieve a pressure of the inflation system when the system at least reaches the predetermined level.

Abstract: An inflation device useful for inflating a balloon provided with a surgical instrument, such as a balloon sinus dilation instrument. The inflation device includes a syringe, a connector, and mechanical pressure indicator. The syringe includes a plunger slidably disposed within a barrel. The connector is configured to fluidly connect an outlet of the syringe with a surgical instrument balloon in establishing a closed inflation system between the syringe and an interior of the balloon. The pressure indicator is associated with the syringe and is configured to transition from a non-alert state to an alert state when a pressure of the inflation system has reached a predetermined level. In some embodiments, the inflation device is characterized by the absence of a pressure gauge.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device having a tubular outer shaft and an inner shaft is disclosed. The tubular outer shaft includes an axis and a distal end region. The distal end region includes a distal-most tip and a cutting edge defining a window in the outer shaft proximal along the axis to the distal-most tip. The inner shaft inner shaft coaxially maintained within the outer shaft such that the inner shaft is movable about the axis with respect to the outer shaft and wherein a portion of the inner shaft is exposed in the window of the outer shaft. A first electrode is disposed on the outer shaft in a region proximal along the axis to the window, and a second electrode is electrically isolated from the first electrode and disposed on the inner shaft. The second electrode is exposed in the window of the outer shaft.

Abstract: A malleable cannula having multiple lumens, constrained at the proximal end portion to provide rigidity and malleable at the distal end portion. The cannula has a combination of flexibility and stiffness that assists in accessing body passageways without kinking.

Abstract: An inflation device useful for inflating a balloon provided with a surgical instrument, such as a balloon sinus dilation instrument. The inflation device includes a syringe, a connector, and mechanical pressure indicator. The syringe includes a plunger slidably disposed within a barrel. The connector is configured to fluidly connect an outlet of the syringe with a surgical instrument balloon in establishing a closed inflation system between the syringe and an interior of the balloon. The pressure indicator is associated with the syringe and is configured to transition from a non-alert state to an alert state when a pressure of the inflation system has reached a predetermined level. In some embodiments, the inflation device is characterized by the absence of a pressure gauge.

Abstract: A sinus dilation instrument useful with a navigation system and including a handle, a rigid probe, a balloon, and an identifier device. The probe extends from the handle, forms a curved segment, and carries the balloon. The identifier device is programmed to generate a signal indicative of an instrument identification assigned to the instrument, and is a frontal, maxillary or sphenoid sinus instrument. The signal is formatted to be recognized by an IGS. Once connected, the IGS recognizes the instrument and can retrieve information indicative of a spatial location of the balloon, for example via an instrument tracking device. A surgeon can “plug and play” the sinus dilation instrument with the IGS to perform a procedure.