Abstract: During surgery, debris being cleared from the target anatomy may inadvertently inhibit fluid communication between a suction instrument and a suction source. Therefore, it may be desirable to facilitate access to interior portions of the suction instrument and control of the amount of suction being provided through the suction instrument. The suction instrument can include an elongate cannula with a distal portion configured to be positioned within or adjacent to an anatomical passageway of a patient. The elongate cannula can define a suction lumen that can provide suction at the distal portion. A handle assembly can be associated with the elongate cannula and include a deformable grasping body defining a fluid communication chamber that can provide suction to the suction lumen. The deformable grasping body can elastically deform between relaxed and compressed states to alter the fluid communication between the fluid communication chamber and the suction lumen.

Abstract: Catheter shafts (such as guide catheter or dilation catheter shafts) disclosed herein can include a rigid proximal portion, a deflectable distal portion located distally from the proximal portion, and a pull wire extending from the deflectable distal portion along the proximal portion. The pull wire can drive the deflectable distal portion between a straight configuration and a bent configuration, which makes the catheter system adaptable for use with both pediatric and adult patients. Specifically, because the pull wire facilitates changing a bend angle of the deflectable distal portion of the catheter shaft, the catheter can fit in a wide variety of differently sized nasal cavities and Eustachian Tubes. Optionally, a visualizing distal tip can be positioned distally from the deflectable distal portion of the catheter shaft and include a distally facing camera that can be used to confirm that the deflectable distal portion is properly positioned in the patient.

Abstract: Navigation sensors can indicate a real-time location of a surgical instrument within a patient. An adapter or other component that can be readily coupled with a surgical instrument and has one or more integral navigation sensors. The adapter can include an adapter body, an instrument coupling arm, and one or more navigation sensors. The adapter body extends between a proximal end and a distal end of the adapter. The instrument coupling arm is configured to non-removably engage a portion of the instrument. The one or more navigation sensors are configured generate signals indicating a position of at least a portion of the instrument in three-dimensional space and can be arranged in various configurations about the adapter body.

Abstract: The present application discloses an implant with a shaft defining a longitudinal axis and an extendable sleeve including a proximal end and a distal end. The extendable sleeve is positioned around the shaft and is configured to bear radially outward against a Eustachian tube of a patient. The distal end of the extendable sleeve is configured to translate with the shaft. The proximal end of the sleeve is configured to translate relative to the shaft. The present application also discloses an apparatus that includes the implant and an instrument that facilitates the implant between an insertion position and a released position. Finally, the present application discloses methods for use of the implant and the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a rotary member, a navigation sensor, and an alignment system. The rotary member is sized and configured to fit in an anatomical passageway of a patient; and is configured to rotate relative to the body about a rotational axis. The navigation sensor is configured to generate first signals indicative of a position of the body in three-dimensional space. The alignment system includes a magnet and a Hall effect sensor. The magnet is fixedly secured to the rotary member; and is configured to generate a magnetic field. The Hall effect sensor is fixedly secured to the body and is configured to detect a magnitude of the magnetic field and to generate second signals indicative of an angular position of the rotary member relative to the body about the rotational axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with an instrument includes a hub, a shaft assembly, and a navigation sensor. The hub is configured to engage a portion of the instrument, in only a predetermined angular orientation with respect to an axis of the instrument. The shaft assembly extends from the hub and defines a hollow interior and an open distal end. The hollow interior is configured to receive a tubular portion of the instrument. The navigation sensor can be disposed proximate the open distal end of the shaft assembly. The navigation sensor can be configured to generate a signal indicating a portion of at least a portion of the shaft assembly in three-dimensional space.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a base, an actuator, and a clamp member. The actuator is pivotably coupled with the base. The clamp member is operable to selectively clamp a malleable guide rail relative to the base. The guide rail is configured to fit in an anatomical passageway in a head of a patient. The actuator is operable to pivot relative to the base to thereby bend the guide rail while the guide rail is clamped by the clamp member.

Abstract: A system includes a sheath comprising a handle and a catheter tube, an intralumenal device with a shaft of a predetermined geometry and configured to traverse through the handle and the catheter tube, and a sensor assembly disposed approximate the handle and configured to determine a length of insertion of the intralumenal device within the sheath to thereby determine a position of a distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: A guiding sheath has a braided layer for improved deflection characteristics and ring electrodes for electrical sensing, mapping and visualization, wherein lead wires for the ring electrodes are passed through lumened tubing position under the braided layer in a proximal portion of the guiding sheath shaft and above the braided layer in a distal portion of the guiding sheath shaft. Moreover, the hemostatic valve includes an improved friction ring with air vents to reduce the risk of air being introduced into the valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with an endoscope or other ENT instrument includes a hub, a shaft assembly, and one or more navigation sensors. The hub being configured to receive a portion of the endoscope and including a fluid port. The shaft assembly extends from the hub and defines a hollow interior. The hollow interior is configured to receive a tubular portion of the endoscope and communicate fluid within the shaft assembly to an open distal end of the shaft assembly. At least one of the one or more navigation sensors is disposed proximate the distal end of the shaft assembly. The one or more navigation sensors are configured to communicate with an IGS navigation system to locate at least a portion of the shaft assembly in three dimensional space.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a tray, a deformable material, and a position sensor. The tray is configured to correspond to at least a portion of an alveolar ridge of a patient. The deformable material is configured to receive dentition of the alveolar ridge of the patient and thereby secure the tray relative to the alveolar ridge of the patient. The position sensor is fixed relative to the tray and is configured to generate a signal indicating a real-time position of the position sensor within three-dimensional space. Another apparatus includes a body, a position sensor, and a suction conduit. The body defines a cavity and is configured to fit in a mouth of a patient. The suction conduit is in fluid communication with the cavity and is configured to apply suction to the cavity to thereby secure the body to a cheek wall in the mouth of the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with an ENT instrument includes a shaft, a heat shrink material, and a heating element. The shaft defines a hollow interior. The hollow interior is configured to receive a tubular portion of the ENT instrument. The heat shrink material is integrated into a portion of the shaft. The heating element is fixedly secured to the shaft or the heat shrink material. The heating element is configured to heat a portion of the heat shrink material to reduce a diameter of a portion of the shaft at a predetermined position along the length of the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body and a shaft assembly extending distally from the body. The shaft assembly includes a malleable distal portion and an enlarged tip positioned at a distal end of the malleable distal portion. The shaft assembly further includes a position sensor positioned within the enlarged tip. The position sensor is configured to generate a signal indicating a position of the enlarged tip in three-dimensional space. The shaft assembly further includes an illuminating element positioned within the enlarged tip. The illuminating element is configured to emit light. The shaft assembly further includes an inflatable balloon positioned proximal to the enlarged tip. The inflatable balloon is configured to dilate a passageway in an ear, nose, or throat of a patient.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly includes a working channel, a distal end, an image sensor, a navigation sensor, and a reference marker. The working channel is sized to receive a working element. The distal end includes an opening that is positioned to allow a working element in the working channel to pass through the distal end. The image sensor has a field of view distal to the distal end such that the image sensor is configured to capture at least one image providing a field of view distal to the distal end. The navigation sensor is configured to generate signals indicative of a position of the distal end in three-dimensional space. The reference marker is positioned within the field of view of the image sensor, the reference marker being fixed against movement relative to the image sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a catheter having a flexible outer sheath and a flexible irrigation tube. The flexible outer sheath defines a first lumen. The flexible irrigation tube is positioned inside the first lumen and includes an inner layer and an outer coating layer. The inner layer is formed of a synthetic polymer compound and has a uniform cross-section with a hollow interior defining a second lumen. The outer coating layer is disposed around the inner layer. The outer coating layer is formed of a polymeric compound and includes first and second isomers. The first isomer is configured to carry a positive electric charge and the second isomer is configured to carry a negative electric charge.

Abstract: An insufflation and smoke evacuation system for use during laparoscopic surgical procedures is disclosed that includes a pump for circulating pressurized gas within the system, a tri-lumen cannula communicating with an insufflation source by way of an insufflation supply line and with the supply side of the pump by way of a pressurized gas supply line, and a single lumen cannula communicating with a suction side of the pump by way of a vacuum line, wherein a communication line extends between the tri-lumen cannula and the vacuum line.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and a distal endoscope cap. A flexible distal portion of the shaft assembly is laterally deflectable relative to a rigid proximal portion of the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly defines a working channel sized and configured to enable advancement of a working element. The distal endoscope cap is configured to attach to the distal end of the shaft assembly. The distal endoscope cap has an outer diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the flexible distal portion. The distal endoscope cap includes a body having at least one coupling member for attaching the distal endoscope cap to the distal end of the shaft assembly, at least one image sensor secured to the body for visualizing an anatomical structure, and at least one illuminating element secured to the body for illuminating a field of view of the at least one image sensor.

Abstract: An insufflation and smoke evacuation system for use during laparoscopic surgical procedures in an abdominal cavity of a patient is disclosed that includes a pump for circulating pressurized gas within the system, and a dual lumen cannula configured to provide access to the abdominal cavity of a patient, which includes a first lumen communicating with a source of insufflation fluid and a second lumen communicating with the pump.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for treatment including a compound valve system that can be integral to, or attached to a sheath introducer. The compound valve system includes a secondary valve that can be positioned in a proximal direction from a primary valve of the sheath introducer. The secondary valve can move longitudinally in response to a pressure differential. The compound valve system can include an aspiration port between the primary valve and secondary valve. The secondary valve can be integral to a secondary valve accessory device that can be assembled onto a catheter shaft of an intralumenal treatment device, and the secondary valve accessory device can further function as an introducer tool for the intralumenal treatment device.