Devices, systems and methods useable for treating sinusitis

Abstract

Sinusitis and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches with flexible or rigid instruments. Various methods and devices are used for remodeling or changing the shape, size or configuration of a sinus ostium or duct or other anatomical structure in the ear, nose or throat; implanting a device, cells or tissues; removing matter from the ear, nose or throat; delivering diagnostic or therapeutic W substances or performing other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Introducing devices (e.g., guide catheters, tubes, guidewires, elongate probes, other elongate members) may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g. catheters e.g. balloon catheters, guidewires. tissue cutting or remodeling devices, devices for implanting elements like stents, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for delivering diagnostic or therapeutic agents, substance delivery implants. scopes etc.) into the paranasal sinuses or other structures in the ear, nose or throat. Specific devices (e.g., tubular guides, guidewires, balloon catheters, tubular sheaths) are provided as are methods for manufacturing and using such devices to treat disorders of the ear, nose or throat.

1 .- 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A dilation catheter, comprising:
 (a) a shaft defining a lumen, the shaft being sized to fit in a throat of a patient; and   (b) a balloon positioned at a distal end of the shaft, the balloon being in fluid communication with the lumen of the shaft, the balloon having a distal region, a proximal region, and an intermediate region longitudinally interposed between the distal region and the proximal region, the distal region and the proximal region each having an outer diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the intermediate region.   
     
     
         21 . The dilation catheter of  claim 20 , the distal region having an outer diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the proximal region. 
     
     
         22 . The dilation catheter of  claim 20 , the distal region forming a first lobe, the proximal region forming a second lobe. 
     
     
         23 . The dilation catheter of  claim 20 , the balloon having a dog bone configuration. 
     
     
         24 . The dilation catheter of  claim 20 , further comprising a guide catheter defining a lumen, the shaft and balloon being sized to fit in the lumen of the guide catheter. 
     
     
         25 . The dilation catheter of  claim 24 , the guide catheter having a preformed bend. 
     
     
         26 . The dilation catheter of  claim 24 , the guide catheter being a steerable catheter. 
     
     
         27 . The dilation catheter of  claim 20 , the balloon being sized to fit in a sinus ostium. 
     
     
         28 . The dilation catheter of  claim 20 , the shaft having sufficient stiffness to allow the shaft to be pushed along an anatomical passageway. 
     
     
         29 . The dilation catheter of  claim 20 , the balloon being inflatable to a size configured to remodel an anatomical passageway. 
     
     
         30 . The dilation catheter of  claim 20 , the shaft having a length sufficient to enable positioning of the balloon in the throat of the patient. 
     
     
         31 . The dilation catheter of  claim 20 , further comprising a guidewire, the shaft being configured to translate along the guidewire. 
     
     
         32 . The dilation catheter of  claim 20 , further comprising a position sensor, the position sensor being configured to enable tracking of a position of the balloon within the patient via an image guided surgery system. 
     
     
         33 . A method of treating a patient, the method comprising:
 (a) inserting a dilation catheter into a throat of a patient, the dilation catheter including a shaft and a balloon at a distal end of the shaft, the balloon having a distal region, a proximal region, and an intermediate region longitudinally interposed between the distal region and the proximal region, the distal region and the proximal region each having an outer diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the intermediate region; and   (b) inflating the balloon after inserting the dilation catheter into the throat of the patient, the inflated balloon remodeling an anatomical structure associated with the throat of the patient.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising advancing a guide catheter into the throat of the patient, the act of inserting the dilation catheter into the throat of the patient comprising advancing the dilation catheter along the guide catheter. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , the guide catheter having a bent region, the act of inserting the dilation catheter into the throat of the patient comprising advancing the dilation catheter along the bent region of the guide catheter 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising advancing a guidewire into the throat of the patient, the act of inserting the dilation catheter into the throat of the patient comprising advancing the dilation catheter along the guidewire. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 33 , the shaft having sufficient column strength to enable advancement of the dilation catheter along the throat of the patient without a guide. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 33 , the distal region forming a first lobe, the proximal region forming a second lobe. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 33 , the dilation catheter further including a position sensor, the method further including using the position sensor to track the position of the dilation catheter in the patient via an image guided surgery system.