Abstract: Devices and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic or diagnostic substances to desired locations within the bodies of human or non-human animal subjects. An implantable delivery device comprising a reservoir is initially attached to a deliver catheter or delivery tool and is introduced into the body and positioned at a desired site. A therapeutic or diagnostic substance is then introduced into the reservoir and the delivery catheter or deliver tool is then removed, leaving the implantable delivery device implanted within the body. The substance is then delivered from the reservoir at a rate that causes the desire diagnostic or therapeutic effect. Also provided are substance eluting stents that elute substance from a selected surface of the stent (e.g., the outer surface) but not from another surface of the stent (e.g., the inner surface).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing or eliminating pain after surgical procedures related to mucosal tissue, including tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or other pharyngeal operations. Certain embodiments provide a biodegradable film or covering that serves as a mechanical barrier to reduce pain caused, for example, by friction between solid food and healing tissue in the first few days after surgery. Some embodiments may include one or more therapeutic substances for locally reducing pain, facilitating healing and/or otherwise treating mucosal tissue at or near a tonsil bed.

Abstract: A system and method for sharing and absorbing energy between body parts. In one particular aspect, the system is an unlinked structure which facilitates absorbing energy between members forming a joint such as between articulating bones.

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: Devices and methods for locating sinus ostia and positioning a guide wire within the sinus ostia. The subject devices include a shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, a curved region located between the distal and proximal ends, and an interior channel, an extensible and retractable guide wire movably mounted within the interior channel and a probe tip joined to the guide wire.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Sinusitis, enlarged nasal turbinates, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, allergic conditions, facial fractures and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air/gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies, endoscopic studies and transillumination studies. Access and occluder devices may be used to establish fluid tight seals in the anterior or posterior nasal cavities/nasopharynx and to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g., scopes, guidewires, catheters, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for injecting diagnostic or therapeutic agents, devices for implanting devices such as stents, substance eluting devices, substance delivery implants, etc.

Abstract: Substance delivering spacer devices may comprise expandable reservoirs that are implantable in paranasal sinuses and other cavities, openings and passageways of the body to maintain patency and to provide sustained local delivery of a therapeutic or diagnostic substance. Also provided are sinus penetrator devices and systems for performing ethmoidotomy procedures or for creating other openings in the walls of paranasal sinuses or other anatomical structures.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Sinusitis, mucocysts, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, choanal atresia, fractures and other disorders of the paranasal sinuses, Eustachian tubes, Lachrymal ducts and other ear, nose, throat and mouth structures are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air/gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies and endoscopic studies.

Abstract: A transvascular system (10) for delivering a drug to a tissue region from a blood vessel, such as a coronary vein, includes a catheter (12) having a distal portion (26) with puncturing (14), orientation (16), drug delivery (62), and imaging elements (18). The puncturing element (14) is deployable for penetrating the vessel wall to access the tissue region. The orientation element (16), e.g. a “cage” including a plurality of struts (38) (40) and/or a radiopaque marker, has a predetermined relationship with the puncturing element (14), the imaging element (18) detecting the location of the orientation element (16) with respect to the tissue region to orient the puncturing element. The catheter (12) is percutaneously introducing into the vessel, the puncturing element (14) is oriented towards the tissue region, the puncturing element (14) is deployed to access the tissue region, and the drug is delivered to the tissue region.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a patient having a head with a first ear and a second ear function by mounting a support system to the head of the patient so that the support system is aligned with a target tissue of the first ear; applying a therapeutic agent to the first car by energizing an iontophoresis electrode supported by the support system; and actuating a device while the device is supported by the support system so that the device therapeutically remodels the target tissue of the first ear.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivery of substances or apparatus to target sites located outside blood vessels within the body of a human or animal patient. A vessel wall penetrating catheter is inserted into the vasculature, positioned and oriented within a blood vessel near the target extravascular site and a penetrator is advanced from the catheter so as to penetrate outwardly through the wall of the blood vessel in the direction of the target site. Thereafter, a delivery catheter is passed through a lumen of the penetrator to the target site. A desired substance or apparatus is then delivered to or obtained from the target site. In some applications, the penetrator may be retracted into the vessel wall penetrating catheter and the vessel wall penetrating catheter may be removed, leaving the delivery catheter in place for chronic or continuous delivery of substance(s) to and/or obtaining of information or samples from the target site.

Abstract: A system for manipulating energy transferred by members defining a joint and a method of implantation includes a first attachment structure configured to be attached to a first member of the joint and a second attachment structure configured to be attached to a second member of the joint.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A transvascular system (10) for delivering a drug to a tissue region from a blood vessel, such as a coronary vein, includes a catheter (12) having a distal portion (26) with puncturing (14), orientation (16), drug delivery (62), and imaging elements (18). The puncturing element (14) is deployable for penetrating the vessel wall to access the tissue region. The orientation element (16), e.g. a “cage” including a plurality of struts (38) (40) and/or a radiopaque marker, has a predetermined relationship with the puncturing element (14), the imaging element (18) detecting the location of the orientation element (16) with respect to the tissue region to orient the puncturing element. The catheter (12) is percutaneously introducing into the vessel, the puncturing element (14) is oriented towards the tissue region, the puncturing element (14) is deployed to access the tissue region, and the drug is delivered to the tissue region.

Abstract: The inventions described in this patent application include i) a torqueable introducer sheath which is useable in conjunction with a transvascular passageway forming catheter to effect precise rotational control of the catheter; ii) an anchorable guide catheter which is useable in conjunction with an intravascular imaging catheter and a transvascular passageway-forming catheter to effect precise positioning and aiming of the passageway-forming catheter; iii) a passageway forming catheter having a torqueable proximal portion to facilitate precise rotational positioning of the distal portion of the catheter; iv) a deflectable-tipped passageway forming catheter, v) various markers and other apparatus useable in conjunction with any of the passageway-forming catheters to facilitate precise positioning and aiming of the catheter, and vi) an apparatus which may be formed within a catheter to prevent a member, apparatus of flow of material from being inadvertently advanced through a lumen of the catheter.

Abstract: A system and method for sharing and absorbing energy between body parts. In one particular aspect, the system facilitates absorbing energy between members forming a joint such as between articulating bones.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing or eliminating pain after surgical procedures related to mucosal tissue, including tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or other pharyngeal operations. Certain embodiments provide a biodegradable film or covering that serves as a mechanical barrier to reduce pain caused, for example, by friction between solid food and healing tissue in the first few days after surgery. Some embodiments may include one or more therapeutic substances for locally reducing pain, facilitating healing and/or otherwise treating mucosal tissue at or near a tonsil bed.