Treatment and placement device for sinusitis applications

Abstract

Devices, methods and kits which, when installed or used, access, aspire, dilate, insufflate, drain or deliver fluid medicaments to, or place a patency device within a sinus area, such as a maxillary sinus or a maxillary sinus ostium. The device can include a hollow catheter and probe, and can be configured to permit gradual and incremental probe extension. The device can be constructed to enhance the precision and maneuverability within the nasal and sinus passageways, while also accommodating the natural anatomical geometry of a targeted paranasal treatment site. For example, the present treatment and placement device can accomplish access to the maxillary sinus ostium by utilizing an uncinate process to guide a probe tip into the ostium in a retrograde manner. The probe can be slidably, bi-directionally or co-axially positioned within the catheter. A distal portion of the probe can be biased away from a longitudinal axis of the catheter.

1 .- 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 advancing a catheter and a probe, the probe including a double-backed portion nested inside the catheter, within a middle meatus between an intermediate concha and an inferior concha; and   accessing a maxillary sinus ostium using the double-backed portion of the probe, including actuating a probe tip in a postier to anterior direction.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein actuating the probe tip and accessing the maxillary sinus ostium includes using an uncinate process to aid in guiding the probe tip into the maxillary sinus ostium. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein actuating the probe tip includes linearly moving an actuation mechanism, coupled to the probe, in a proximal direction. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein actuating the probe tip includes moving the catheter in an anterior to postier direction. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein actuating the probe tip includes allowing a preformed probe tip to bias away from a longitudinal axis of the catheter. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein advancing the catheter and probe, the probe nested inside the catheter, includes advancing a sinus ostium patency device removably coupled to a portion of the catheter or probe. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising performing one or more of: aspiring, dilating, insufflating, draining, delivering fluid medicaments to, or placing a patency device within the maxillary sinus ostium or maxillary sinus cavity. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein aspiring, dilating, insufflating, draining or delivering fluid medicaments to the maxillary sinus ostium or maxillary sinus cavity includes using one or more openings at or near the probe tip and a fluid container in communication with a probe proximal end. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein dilating the maxillary sinus ostium includes inflating a balloon coupled to the probe at or near the probe tip. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising placing the patency device within the dilated maxillary sinus ostium. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein accessing the maxillary sinus ostium using the probe includes using tactile feedback. 
     
     
         22 .- 23 . (canceled)