Implant device, tool, and methods relating to treatment of paranasal sinuses

Abstract

An implant device is configured to be implanted in a fistula to fluidly connect the lacrimal apparatus and a paranasal sinus. A surgical tool has an implant the implant device mounted on a carrier. Various methods involve a fistula between the lacrimal apparatus and a paranasal sinus. A kit includes an entry device for use to form a fistula and an implant tool for use to implant an implant device following formation of a fistula.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An implant device for implantation in a human to fluidly connect a lacrimal apparatus to a paranasal sinus through a fistula formed between the lacrimal apparatus and the paranasal sinus, the implant device comprising:
 a proximal end at a first longitudinal end of the device;   a distal end at a second longitudinal end of the device that is longitudinally opposite the first longitudinal end;   a conduit extending from adjacent the proximal end to adjacent the distal end;   an internal passage extending between the proximal end and the distal end and through the conduit, the internal passage having a first end open at the proximal end and a second end open at the distal end;   a length of the device longitudinally along the device between the proximal end and the distal end in a range of from 2 millimeters to 50 millimeters;   a width of the internal passage transverse to the length in a range of from 0.25 millimeter to 5 millimeters; and   an exterior of the conduit comprising an anchoring surface feature including protrusion areas and recess areas;   the implant device configured to be implanted to fluidly connect the lacrimal apparatus to the paranasal sinus through the fistula so that when implanted:
 the proximal end is disposed with the first end of the internal passage opening in the lacrimal apparatus; 
 the distal end is disposed in the paranasal sinus with the second end of the internal passage opening in the paranasal sinus; and 
   the conduit is disposed through the fistula with at least a portion of the recess areas disposed within the fistula and with at least a portion of the protrusion areas disposed in the fistula and engaging tissue exposed within the fistula to anchor the implant device.   
     
     
         2 . An implant device according to  claim 1 , wherein the conduit is constructed of polymeric material having a durometer (Shore A) in a range of from 50 to 100.