Endoscopic methods and devices for transnasal procedures

Abstract

Medical devices, systems and methods that are useable to facilitate transnasal insertion and positioning of guidewires and various other devices and instruments at desired locations within the ear, nose, throat, paranasal sinuses or cranium. Direct viewing of such placements via an endoscope.

1 - 18 . (canceled)  
     
     
         19 . A method for locating a sinus ostium, said method comprising the steps of: 
 inserting an endoscope through a nostril of a patient and advancing the endoscope toward a location of the sinus ostium;    inserting a guidewire through the nostril and advancing a distal end portion of the guidewire distally of a distal end of the endoscope; and    viewing, through the endoscope, the advancement of the distal end portion of the guidewire to facilitate guidance of the advancement of the guidewire along a desired path.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising directing the distal end portion of the guidewire, under guidance facilitated by visualization of the distal end portion via the endoscope, into the sinus ostium.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the guidewire is an illuminating guidewire, and visualization through the endoscope is enhanced by light emitted by the illuminating guidewire.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising confirming that the distal end portion of the guidewire has been inserted into a desired sinus by observing transillumination effects produced by the illumination from the distal end portion of the guidewire having been inserted through the sinus ostium and into the sinus.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising advancing a working device over the guidewire and performing a diagnostic or therapeutic step with regard to at least one of the sinus ostium and a sinus that the sinus ostium opens to.  
     
     
         24 - 64 . (canceled)