System for facilitating intranasal guidance

Abstract

A sphenocath including a sheath assembly including a sheath hub with a sheath tube extending therefrom with a passage extending from a proximal end of the sheath hub to a distal end of the sheath tube; a catheter assembly including a catheter hub with a catheter tube extending therefrom with a passage extending from a proximal end of the catheter hub to a distal end of the catheter tube; wherein the catheter assembly passes through the sheath assembly with a portion of the catheter hub engaging a portion of the sheath hub to limit relative rotation between the hubs while permitting relative axial movement such that in an initial non-extended position the distal end of the catheter tube is proximate to the distal end of the sheath tube. A system further including a guidewire is also provided.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A sphenocath comprising: a sheath assembly including a sheath hub with a sheath tube extending therefrom with a passage extending from a proximal end of the sheath hub to a distal end of the sheath tube; a catheter assembly including a catheter hub with a catheter tube extending therefrom with a passage extending from a proximal end of the catheter hub to a distal end of the catheter tube; wherein the catheter assembly passes through the sheath assembly with a portion of the catheter hub engaging a portion of the sheath hub to limit relative rotation between the hubs while permitting relative axial movement such that in an initial non-extended position the distal end of the catheter tube is proximate to the distal end of the sheath tube. 
     
     
         2 . The sphenocath of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the catheter tube is formed with a preformed curvature. 
     
     
         3 . The sphenocath of  claim 2 , wherein the curvature is such that an axis of the distal end of the catheter tube is at an angle relative to the axis of the proximal end of the catheter tube and the angle is between about 30.degree. to 90.degree. 
     
     
         4 . The sphenocath of  claim 3 , wherein the angle is between about 35.degree. to 55.degree. 
     
     
         5 . The sphenocath of  claim 2 , wherein the sheath hub includes a marker indicating the direction of the preformed curvature. 
     
     
         6 . The sphenocath of  claim 1 , wherein the catheter hub is rotatable relative to the sheath hub over a limited range. 
     
     
         7 . The sphenocath of  claim 6 , wherein the limited range extends approximately 10.degree. in each rotational direction. 
     
     
         8 . The sphenocath of  claim 1 , wherein the catheter tube distal end is formed with a spraying tip. 
     
     
         9 . The sphenocath of  claim 8 , wherein the spraying tip includes a substantially closed end except for a slotted passage. 
     
     
         10 . The sphenocath of  claim 8 , wherein the spraying tip includes a substantially closed end except for a plurality of small openings. 
     
     
         11 . The sphenocath of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath tube has a lubricious outer surface. 
     
     
         12 . The sphenocath of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath tube includes a radiopaque mark proximate the distal end of the sheath tube. 
     
     
         13 . A system for positioning a catheter within a nasal cavity comprising: a guidewire; and the sphenocath of  claim 1  wherein the guidewire is configured to pass through the catheter assembly passage such that the sphenocath may be guided over the guidewire. 
     
     
         14 . A method for visualization and/or administration of medication of and into the sphenopalatine/pterygopalatine recess of a patient, the method comprising: inserting a guidewire into the nostril of a patient to a target area proximate the sphenopalatine/pterygopalatine recess of the patient; advancing a sphenocath according to  claim 1  over the guidewire such that the distal end of the catheter tube is proximal to the target area; advancing the catheter assembly relative to the sheath assembly whereby the catheter tube distal end extends from the sheath tube distal end and bends along the guidewire; advancing the catheter into the patient's sphenopalatine/pterygopalatine recess; removing the guidewire; and dispensing contrast media, fluids, and/or medication to the patient's sphenopalatine/pterygopalatine ganglion disposed within the sphenopalatine recess of the patient. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the distal end of the catheter tube is formed with a preformed curvature and the method further comprises identifying a direction of the preformed curvature and aligning the preformed curvature of the catheter tube distal end with the patient's sphenopalatine/pterygopalatine recess. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein contrast media, fluids, or medication is delivered over a middle sinus turbinate of the patient to achieve sphenopalatine ganglion blockade. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein sympathetic nerves of the patient are impacted by accessing the sphenopalatine recess at the back of the sinus cavity extending from the top of the middle sinus turbinate. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the sphenopalatine ganglion blockade is not achieved by saturation of different areas within the sinus cavity or the throat of the patient. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein transnasal sphenopalatine visualization is achieved by delivery of contrast media over a middle sinus turbinate of the patient. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the sheath tube distal end includes a radiopaque mark and the step of advancing the sphenocath over the guidewire includes the use of x-ray or fluoroscopy. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the sheath tube includes a series of distance markings and the step of advancing the sphenocath over the guidewire includes advancement based on, at least in part, the distance markings.