Clearance of Sinus Ostia Blockage

Abstract

A balloon catheter system and method for clearing blockage in the sinus ostium. The balloon catheter system and method employs a first balloon which dilates the sinus ostium while a second balloon removes an obstruction by resection. The system and method can then remove and/or drain any biological matter in the sinus. In some embodiments, the system employs an imaging device for viewing the anatomy and delivers irrigating and/or therapeutic agents to the sinus and/or sinus ostium.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for clearing a sinus ostium of a patient comprising:
 a catheter assembly configured to be inserted into a sinus ostium;   wherein the catheter assembly comprises a resection balloon and a dilation balloon, said resection balloon having a resecting surface for resecting biological material;   at least one fluid source that inflates said balloons by supplying fluid thereto;   wherein said dilation balloon is located distal to said resection balloon such that, when said resection balloon is positioned at a part of a sinus ostium having an obstruction and said dilation balloon is inflated, said dilation balloon dilates the part of the sinus ostium at which the resection balloon is positioned; and   wherein said fluid source repeatedly inflates and deflates said resection balloon by supplying fluid thereto such that said resecting surface resects biological material from the obstruction in the sinus ostium.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the resecting surface comprises a mesh on an outer surface of said resection balloon. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said mesh comprises elastane. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising an energy source that supplies thermal energy to said mesh to aid the resection of the material. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said mesh is impregnated with a therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid supplied to said resection balloon by said at least one fluid source is heated to aid the resection of the material. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid supplied to said resection balloon by said at least one fluid source is cooled to aid the resection of the material. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  1 , wherein said catheter assembly comprises a catheter having a first lumen in fluid communication with said resection balloon, and a second lumen in fluid communication said dilation balloon. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  1 , wherein the catheter assembly comprises:
 a first catheter that includes said resection balloon, the first catheter having a first lumen in fluid communication with said at least one fluid source and said resection balloon through which fluid is communicated to said resection balloon; and   a second catheter movably disposed in said first catheter, the second catheter including the dilation balloon and having a second lumen in fluid communication with said at least one fluid source and said dilation balloon through which fluid is communicated to said dilation balloon.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an irrigation fluid source, wherein said catheter assembly comprises a catheter having a lumen in fluid communication with said irrigation fluid source, a distal end, and at least one opening at the distal end in communication with the lumen through which irrigation fluid is communicated to a sinus. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the fluid comprises saline. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a therapeutic agent source, wherein said catheter assembly comprises a catheter having a lumen in fluid communication with said therapeutic agent source, a distal end, and at least one opening at the distal end in communication with the lumen through which a therapeutic agent is communicated to a sinus. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the therapeutic agent comprises a decongestant. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the therapeutic agent comprises a mucolytic agent. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the therapeutic agent comprises an antihistamine. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the therapeutic agent comprises an anti-inflammatory. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said catheter assembly comprises a catheter having a lumen for communicating fluid, a distal end, a radial outer wall, and a plurality holes passing through the radial outer wall at the distal end and in fluid communication with the lumen for communicating fluid to a sinus. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said catheter assembly comprises a catheter, further comprising a cannula configured to slide over said catheter. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said catheter assembly comprises a catheter having an outer wall with a hole passing therethrough, said catheter having a lumen in fluid communication with the hole for communicating a therapeutic agent to the sinus ostium. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said catheter assembly comprises a catheter having an outer wall with a hole passing therethrough, further comprising an imaging device movably disposed in the catheter and through the hole.