Abstract: A dilation catheter comprises a handle, a guidewire, a dilation catheter, a guidewire movement mechanism, and dilation catheter movement actuator. The guidewire movement mechanism is configured to translate to thereby cause translation of the guidewire relative to the handle. The dilation catheter movement mechanism is configured to translate to thereby cause translation of the dilation catheter relative to the handle. The guidewire movement mechanism also includes a rotation mechanism configured to impart rotation upon the guidewire. The rotation mechanism may include features configured to limit the amount that the guidewire may rotate. The rotation mechanism may also include features configured to convert linear movement of an actuator into rotational movement of the guidewire. The dilation catheter may include features configured to provide for side entry of the guidewire into the dilation catheter.

Abstract: A device and method for dilating a Eustachian tube of a patient is disclosed. The device includes a guide catheter and a balloon dilation catheter. The balloon dilation catheter has an actuator that prevents injury to the middle ear. The balloon dilation catheter is slidably coupled with the guide catheter through the guide catheter lumen and is fully inserted into the guide catheter lumen when the distal side of the actuator is adjacent to the proximal end of the guide catheter. The method involves advancing the guide catheter and balloon dilation catheter through a nasal passage of the patient to dilate a portion of the Eustachian tube.

Abstract: A method for cleaning an isthmus of a Eustachian tube (ET) of a patient includes using an instrument. The instrument includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a shaft extending therebetween, and a treatment feature disposed at the distal portion. The method includes directing the instrument into an oro-nasal cavity of the patient and advancing at least the distal portion of the instrument into an opening of the ET. The method further includes further advancing the instrument within the ET so that the treatment feature is disposed past, or is coincident with, the isthmus. The method further includes moving the treatment feature relative to the isthmus to clean the isthmus.

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: An apparatus includes a dilation catheter and a guide catheter. The dilation catheter includes an expandable dilator that is configured to transition between a non-expanded state and an expanded state. The guide catheter includes a hollow shaft and a malleable portion. The hollow shaft and the malleable portion together define a lumen in which the dilation catheter is slidably disposed. The malleable portion is configured to selectively bend relative to the hollow shaft from a first angular configuration to a second angular configuration. The malleable portion is configured to be coaxial with the longitudinal axis in the first angular configuration. The malleable portion is configured to define an angle that is oblique or perpendicular with the longitudinal axis in the second angular configuration. The malleable portion rigid enough to maintain a selected bend angle relative to the hollow shaft while inserted within a nasal cavity.

Abstract: A dilation assembly includes a shaft and a dilator coupled with the distal end of the shaft. The dilator includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a center portion positioned between the proximal end and the distal end. The center portion dilates from a first configuration to a second configuration. The center portion has a larger diameter than the proximal end and the distal end when the center portion is in the second configuration. At least one gripping feature is positioned on at least a portion of the exterior surface of the center portion. The gripping feature provides friction between the center portion and a bodily lumen when the center portion is in the second configuration.

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: 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 dilation system includes a handle, guide member, balloon dilation member, balloon, dilation member movement actuator, and endoscope. The handle is configured to provide single-handed use to a user. The handle includes a first and second body member pivotably coupled together such that the first body member and the second body member are configured to pivot toward and away from one another. The handle includes a rotation mechanism configured to impart rotation upon the guide member. The handle further includes a locking feature configured to lock endoscope in position relative to the handle. The handle may further include a rotation limiting feature configured to limit rotation of the guide member and or the body members. The dilation member movement actuator is configured to translate to thereby cause translation of the balloon dilation member. One or more components of the dilation system may include a plurality of measure markings.

Abstract: A dilation catheter comprises a handle, a guidewire, a dilation catheter, a guidewire movement mechanism, and dilation catheter movement actuator. The guidewire movement mechanism is configured to translate to thereby cause translation of the guidewire relative to the handle. The dilation catheter movement mechanism is configured to translate to thereby cause translation of the dilation catheter relative to the handle. The guidewire movement mechanism also includes a rotation mechanism configured to impart rotation upon the guidewire. The rotation mechanism may include features configured to limit the amount that the guidewire may rotate. The rotation mechanism may also include features configured to convert linear movement of an actuator into rotational movement of the guidewire. The dilation catheter may include features configured to provide for side entry of the guidewire into the dilation 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 system effectively narrows a patulous Eustachian tube (ET) of a patient with a guide catheter, instrument, and insert. The guide catheter includes a shaft, a lumen and a distal end configured to provide access the ET when the guide catheter is inserted into a head of the patient. The instrument comprises a shaft. The insert comprises a body configured to radially expand and retract between a non-expanded state and an expanded state. The insert is sized and shaped to be received within the first lumen when in the non-expanded state and is operable to expand to the expanded state to substantially reduce an effective diameter of the ET.

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 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: Apparatus for use in surgeries to treat disorders of the ear, nose, and throat including a hand-held device and rotating blade assembly. The apparatus may be connected to a vacuum source. A method of use is also disclosed.

Abstract: A dilation device comprises an elongate shaft, an inflatable balloon, and a resilient tube. The inflatable balloon is disposed along the shaft. The resilient tube is also disposed along the shaft and is positioned to encompass at least part of the inflatable balloon. The resilient tube is configured to impose an inwardly directed resilient bias on at least a portion of the exterior of the inflatable balloon. At least part of the resilient tube is secured to one or both of the elongate shaft or the inflatable balloon.

Abstract: A system and method for dilating a Eustachian tube of a patient is disclosed. The device includes a protective sheath, a flexible endoscope and a balloon dilation catheter. The protective sheath includes an endoscope lumen and a balloon dilation catheter lumen. The balloon of the balloon dilation catheter is a low profile balloon particularly useful for dilating the Eustachian tube, and in particular, the Eustachian tube of a pediatric patient. The method involves advancing the balloon dilation catheter through a nasal passage of the patient to dilate a portion of the Eustachian tube.

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: An apparatus includes a body, an upright member, a frame, and a plurality of field generating elements. The body is configured to be positioned between a patient's back and a backrest of a chair. The upright member extends upwardly from the body. The frame has a curved configuration configured to partially surround a patient's head. The field generating elements are configured to generate an electromagnetic field around a patient's head partially surrounded by the frame.