Sinus dilation system and method

Abstract

A sinus dilation instrument useful with a navigation system and including a handle, a rigid probe, a balloon, and an identifier device. The probe extends from the handle, forms a curved segment, and carries the balloon. The identifier device is programmed to generate a signal indicative of an instrument identification assigned to the instrument, and is a frontal, maxillary or sphenoid sinus instrument. The signal is formatted to be recognized by an IGS. Once connected, the IGS recognizes the instrument and can retrieve information indicative of a spatial location of the balloon, for example via an instrument tracking device. A surgeon can “plug and play” the sinus dilation instrument with the IGS to perform a procedure.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A sinus dilation instrument configured for accessing a region of a patient’s nasal sinus system, the sinus dilation instrument comprising:
 a handle; 
 a probe including a proximal end portion coupled to the handle, a distal tip portion opposite the proximal end portion, and a curved segment disposed between the proximal end portion and the distal tip portion; 
 a balloon coupled to the probe; 
 a connector associated with the handle and configured to electronically couple to an image guidance system; and 
 an electronic identifier device electronically coupled to the connector, the electronic identifier device storing information indicative of a location within a patient’s nasal sinus system assigned to the sinus dilation instrument, wherein the connector is configured to transmit the information from the electronic identifier device to the image guidance system when the connector is electronically coupled to the image guidance system. 
 
     
     
         20 . The sinus dilation instrument according to  claim 19 , wherein the handle includes a tracking device. 
     
     
         21 . The sinus dilation instrument according to  claim 20 , wherein the balloon is disposed in fixed spatial relation relative to the tracking device of the handle. 
     
     
         22 . The sinus dilation instrument according to  claim 21 , wherein the probe defines a rigid configuration such that the balloon is disposed in fixed spatial relation relative to the tracking device of the handle. 
     
     
         23 . The sinus dilation instrument according to  claim 20 , wherein the tracking device includes an electromagnetically detectable receiver coil that generates tracking information for display by the image guidance system. 
     
     
         24 . The sinus dilation instrument according to  claim 20 , wherein the tracking device tracks movement of the balloon. 
     
     
         25 . The sinus dilation instrument according to  claim 19 , wherein the assigned location is a frontal sinus. 
     
     
         26 . The sinus dilation instrument according to  claim 19 , wherein the assigned location is a maxillary sinus. 
     
     
         27 . The sinus dilation instrument according to  claim 19 , wherein the assigned location is a sphenoid sinus. 
     
     
         28 . The sinus dilation instrument according to  claim 19 , further comprising an inflation path fluidly connected to an interior of the balloon. 
     
     
         29 . A sinus dilation instrument configured for accessing a region of a patient’s nasal sinus system, the sinus dilation instrument comprising:
 a handle; 
 a probe including a proximal end portion attached to the handle, a distal tip portion opposite the proximal end portion, and a curved segment disposed between the proximal end portion and the distal tip portion; 
 a balloon secured to the probe and disposed in fixed spatial relation relative to the tracking device of the handle; 
 an inflation path fluidly connected to an interior of the balloon; 
 a connector associated with the handle and configured to electronically couple to an image guidance system; and 
 
 an electronic identifier device electronically coupled to the connector, the electronic identifier device storing information indicative of a sinus procedure to be performed that is assigned to the sinus dilation instrument, wherein the connector is configured to transmit the information from the electronic identifier device to the image guidance system when the connector is electronically coupled to the image guidance system. 
 
     
     
         30 . The sinus dilation instrument according to  claim 29 , wherein the handle includes a tracking device. 
     
     
         31 . The sinus dilation instrument according to  claim 30 , wherein the balloon is disposed in fixed spatial relation relative to the tracking device of the handle. 
     
     
         32 . The sinus dilation instrument according to  claim 31 , wherein the probe defines a rigid configuration such that the balloon is disposed in fixed spatial relation relative to the tracking device of the handle. 
     
     
         33 . The sinus dilation instrument according to  claim 30 , wherein the tracking device includes an electromagnetically detectable receiver coil that generates tracking information for display by the image guidance system. 
     
     
         34 . The sinus dilation instrument according to  claim 30 , wherein the tracking device tracks movement of the balloon. 
     
     
         35 . The sinus dilation instrument according to  claim 29 , wherein the assigned location is a frontal sinus. 
     
     
         36 . The sinus dilation instrument according to  claim 29 , wherein the assigned location is a maxillary sinus. 
     
     
         37 . The sinus dilation instrument according to  claim 29 , wherein the assigned location is a sphenoid sinus. 
     
     
         38 . The sinus dilation instrument according to  claim 29 , further comprising an inflation path fluidly connected to an interior of the balloon.