Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080275483 | Methods and Apparatus for Treating Disorders of the Ear Nose and Throat - Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, including methods and apparatus for dilating ostia, passageways and other anatomical structures, endoscopic methods and apparatus for endoscopic visualization of structures within the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, navigation devices for use in conjunction with image guidance or navigation system and hand held devices having pistol type grips and other handpieces. | 11-06-2008 |
20080281156 | Methods and Apparatus for Treating Disorders of the Ear Nose and Throat - Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, including methods and apparatus for dilating ostia, passageways and other anatomical structures, endoscopic methods and apparatus for endoscopic visualization of structures within the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, navigation devices for use in conjunction with image guidance or navigation system and hand held devices having pistol type grips and other handpieces. | 11-13-2008 |
20080287908 | Ethmoidotomy System and Implantable Spacer Devices Having Therapeutic Substance Delivery Capability for Treatment of Paranasal Sinusitis - Substance delivering spacer devices may comprise expandable reservoirs that are implantable in paranasal sinuses and other cavities, openings and passageways of the body to maintain patency and to provide sustained local delivery of a therapeutic or diagnostic substance. Also provided are sinus penetrator devices and systems for performing ethmoidotomy procedures or for creating other openings in the walls of paranasal sinuses or other anatomical structures. | 11-20-2008 |
20080319424 | Devices and Methods for Delivering Therapeutic Substances for the Treatment of Sinusitis and Other Disorders - Devices and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic or diagnostic substances to desired locations within the bodies of human or non-human animal subjects. An implantable delivery device comprising a reservoir is initially attached to a deliver catheter or delivery tool and is introduced into the body and positioned at a desired site. A therapeutic or diagnostic substance is then introduced into the reservoir and the delivery catheter or deliver tool is then removed, leaving the implantable delivery device implanted within the body. The substance is then delivered from the reservoir at a rate that causes the desire diagnostic or therapeutic effect. Also provided are substance eluting stents that elute substance from a selected surface of the stent (e.g., the outer surface) but not from another surface of the stent (e.g., the inner surface). | 12-25-2008 |
20090028923 | Implantable Devices and Methods for Treating Sinusitis and Other Disorders - Devices, systems and methods for stenting, spacing, draining, ventilating and/or delivering drugs and other therapeutic or diagnostic substances to desired locations within the bodies of human or non-human animal subjects, including methods and systems for treating paranasal sinusitis and ethmoid disease. | 01-29-2009 |
20090093823 | Devices, Systems and Methods Useable for Treating Sinusitis - 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 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. | 04-09-2009 |
20090198216 | FRONTAL SINUS SPACER - Substance delivering spacer devices may comprise expandable reservoirs that are implantable in paranasal sinuses and other cavities, openings and passageways of the body to maintain patency and to provide sustained local delivery of a therapeutic or diagnostic substance. Delivery apparatus including elongate tubular members as well as shapeable distal portions and atraumatic tips are provided. Also provided are sinus penetrator devices and systems for performing ethmoidotomy procedures or for creating other openings in the walls of paranasal sinuses or other anatomical structures. | 08-06-2009 |
20090312745 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRANSNASAL DILATION OF PASSAGEWAYS IN THE EAR, NOSE OR THROAT - A dilation catheter device and system for dilating an opening in a paranasal sinus and/or other passageways within the ear, nose or throat is disclosed. A dilation catheter device and system is constructed in a manner that facilitates ease of use by the operator and, in at least some cases, allows the dilation procedure to be performed by a single operator. Additionally, the dilation catheter device and system may be useable in conjunction with an endoscope and/or a fluoroscope to provide for easy manipulation and positioning of the devices and real time visualization of the entire procedure or selected portions thereof. In some embodiments, shaft markers are disposed on a shaft of the dilation catheter and have a light color to contrast with a dark color of the dilation catheter shaft. The high contrast between the markers and catheter shaft allows for easy viewing of the markers in low light and operation conditions. | 12-17-2009 |
20100042046 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS USEABLE FOR TREATING SINUSITIS - 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 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. | 02-18-2010 |
20100076269 | Systems and Methods for Treating Sinuses - Systems and methods for treating paranasal sinuses in a head of a patient include, for example, forming an opening through a canine fossa into a maxillary paranasal sinus and performing a procedure such as a balloon catheter dilation of the maxillary sinus ostium. In some embodiments, one or more procedures other than a balloon dilation procedure may be performed. In some embodiments, a combination of balloon dilation and one or more other procedures may be performed. Various approaches involve employing medical devices to accomplish alternative treatment modalities as well as taking alternative routes to the interventional site. | 03-25-2010 |
20100121308 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING THERAPEUTIC SUBSTANCES FOR THE TREATMENT OF SINUSITIS AND OTHER DISORDERS - Devices and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic or diagnostic substances to desired locations within the bodies of human or non-human animal subjects. An implantable delivery device comprising a reservoir is initially attached to a deliver catheter or delivery tool and is introduced into the body and positioned at a desired site. A therapeutic or diagnostic substance is then introduced into the reservoir and the delivery catheter or deliver tool is then removed, leaving the implantable delivery device implanted within the body. The substance is then delivered from the reservoir at a rate that causes the desire diagnostic or therapeutic effect. Also provided are substance eluting stents that elute substance from a selected surface of the stent (e.g., the outer surface) but not from another surface of the stent (e.g., the inner surface). | 05-13-2010 |
20100152730 | MUCOSAL TISSUE DRESSING AND METHOD OF USE - A method and apparatus for reducing or eliminating pain after surgical procedures related to mucosal tissue, including tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or other pharyngeal operations. Certain embodiments provide a biodegradable film or covering that serves as a mechanical barrier to reduce pain caused, for example, by friction between solid food and healing tissue in the first few days after surgery. Some embodiments include a method for increasing the adhesion between tissue and the film or covering. | 06-17-2010 |
20100168511 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DILATING AN AIRWAY STENOSIS - A method for dilating a stenotic region in an airway of a patient may include advancing a balloon catheter through the airway of the patient to position an inflatable balloon of the catheter within at least a portion of the stenotic region, maintaining a position of the catheter relative to the patient, and inflating the balloon of the catheter to dilate the stenotic region of the airway. A system for dilating a stenotic region in an airway of a patient may include a catheter shaft having an overall length of less than 70 cm, an inflatable balloon disposed along a distal portion of the catheter shaft, and a stylet. | 07-01-2010 |
20100174138 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS USEABLE FOR TREATING SINUSITIS - 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 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. | 07-08-2010 |
20100174308 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS USEABLE FOR TREATING SINUSITIS - 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 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. | 07-08-2010 |
20100305697 | System and Method For Treatment of Non-Ventilating Middle Ear by Providing a Gas Pathway Through the Nasopharynx - Methods and devices for providing a gas pathway between the nasopharynx and the Eustachian tube are provided. One device may include a lumen with a valve. A portion of the valve may be tethered to adjacent muscle. Another portion of the valve may be tethered to adjacent cartilage. When the muscle contracts the valve may open through movement of the tethers, and provide a gas pathway between the nasopharynx and the Eustachian tube. | 12-02-2010 |
20110004057 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRANSNASAL DILATION OF PASSAGEWAYS IN THE EAR, NOSE OR THROAT - A dilation catheter device and system for dilating an opening in a paranasal sinus and/or other passageways within the ear, nose or throat is disclosed. A dilation catheter device and system is constructed in a manner that facilitates ease of use by the operator and, in at least some cases, allows the dilation procedure to be performed by a single operator. Additionally, the dilation catheter device and system may be useable in conjunction with an endoscope and/or a fluoroscope to provide for easy manipulation and positioning of the devices and real time visualization of the entire procedure or selected portions thereof. In some embodiments, shaft markers are disposed on a shaft of the dilation catheter and have a light color to contrast with a dark color of the dilation catheter shaft. The high contrast between the markers and catheter shaft allows for easy viewing of the markers in low light and operation conditions. | 01-06-2011 |
20110112512 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR TREATING MAXILLARY SINUS DISEASE - Devices and methods are described for improving drainage and/or aeration of maxillary sinuses and for treating maxillary sinus disease. Spacer devices are implanted through natural or man-made openings in the maxillary sinus. In some embodiments, the spacer device is loaded with a therapeutic substance which then exits the device over a desired time period to treat maxillary sinus disease. | 05-12-2011 |
20120245456 | Adapter for Attaching Electromagnetic Image Guidance Components to a Medical Device - Devices and methods wherein an adapter is used to attach an electromagnetic image guidance component to a medical device such that an electromagnetic image guidance system may be used to track the location of the medical device within the body of a human or animal subject. | 09-27-2012 |
20130184568 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DILATING AN AIRWAY STENOSIS - A medical device and a system and for dilating a stenotic airway of a patient are described. The medical device comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and a shaft system having an inflation lumen and a ventilation lumen the proximal end. The shaft system has a proximal shaft section and a distal shaft section. An inflatable balloon is attached to the distal shaft section in a position that is proximal to the distal end. The ventilating tip is distal to the balloon on the distal shaft section and has one or more radially facing openings. A method for treating a stenotic airway includes inserting the medical device into a patient's airway, and dilating and ventilating the airway. | 07-18-2013 |
20130184683 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR TRANSNASAL DILATION AND IRRIGATION OF THE SINUSES - A medical device, and a system and packaged kit containing the medical device for the treatment of a sinus opening is described. The medical device comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and a shaft system having an inflation lumen and an irrigation lumen the proximal and. The shaft system has a proximal shaft section and a distal shaft section. An inflatable balloon is attached to the distal shaft section in a position that is proximal to said distal end. The irrigation tip is distal to the balloon on the distal shaft section and has a tip opening and one or more radially facing openings. A method for treating a sinus opening includes inserting a system that includes the medical device, a sinus guide catheter and a sinus guide element into a patient's anatomy, dilating the sinus opening and irrigating a target in the nasal anatomy. | 07-18-2013 |
20130245608 | IMPLANTABLE DEVICES AND METHODS FOR TREATING SINUSITIS AND OTHER DISORDERS - Devices, systems and methods for stenting, spacing, draining, ventilating and/or delivering drugs and other therapeutic or diagnostic substances to desired locations within the bodies of human or non-human animal subjects, including methods and systems for treating paranasal sinusitis and ethmoid disease. | 09-19-2013 |
20130274715 | Method and System for Eustachian Tube Dilation - A device and method for dilating a Eustachian tube of a patient is disclosed. The device includes a guide catheter and a balloon dilation catheter. The balloon dilation catheter has an actuator that prevents injury to the middle ear. The balloon dilation catheter is slidably coupled with the guide catheter through the guide catheter lumen and is fully inserted into the guide catheter lumen when the distal side of the actuator is adjacent to the proximal end of the guide catheter. The method involves advancing the guide catheter and balloon dilation catheter through a nasal passage of the patient to dilate a portion of the Eustachian tube. | 10-17-2013 |
20130303968 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TREATMENT OF NON-VENTILATING MIDDLE EAR BY PROVIDING A GAS PATHWAY THROUGH THE NASOPHARYNX - Methods and devices for providing a gas pathway between the nasopharynx and the Eustachian tube are provided. One device may include a lumen with a valve. A portion of the valve may be tethered to adjacent muscle. Another portion of the valve may be tethered to adjacent cartilage. When the muscle contracts the valve may open through movement of the tethers, and provide a gas pathway between the nasopharynx and the Eustachian tube. | 11-14-2013 |
20140074065 | Bioabsorbable Spacers and Spacer Delivery Systems for Use in the Ear, Nose and Throat - A spacer for delivery into the natural or man-made openings to the frontal, maxillary, sphenoid, anterior or posterior ethmoid sinuses, or other cells or cavities, anatomical regions such as nostrils, nasal cavities, nasal meatus, and other passageways such as the Eustachian tubes, naso-lachrymal ducts or airway is described. The bioabsorbable polymeric spacers maintain the opening and/or are useful for delivering drugs or other substances to the natural or man-made openings. | 03-13-2014 |
20140277059 | APPARATUS FOR PUNCTURING BALLOON IN AIRWAY DILATION SHAFT - A dilation system includes a balloon catheter and a puncturing assembly. The balloon catheter includes a shaft, a dilator coupled to a distal end of the shaft, and a lumen extending through the shaft and the dilator. The dilator is expandable from a collapsed state to an expanded state. The puncturing assembly includes at least one cutting member. The puncturing assembly is positionable within the lumen of the balloon catheter or along an exterior of the shaft when the puncturing assembly is in a first position. The puncturing assembly transitions to a second position to puncture the lumen of the balloon catheter and/or to puncture the dilator, to thereby drain fluid from the dilator. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277061 | RESILIENT TUBE OVER DILATOR BALLOON - A dilation device comprises an elongate shaft, an inflatable balloon, and a resilient tube. The inflatable balloon is disposed along the shaft. The resilient tube is also disposed along the shaft and is positioned to encompass at least part of the inflatable balloon. The resilient tube is configured to impose an inwardly directed resilient bias on at least a portion of the exterior of the inflatable balloon. At least part of the resilient tube is secured to one or both of the elongate shaft or the inflatable balloon. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277071 | FEATURES TO ENHANCE GRIP OF BALLOON WITHIN AIRWAY - A dilation assembly includes a shaft and a dilator coupled with the distal end of the shaft. The dilator includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a center portion positioned between the proximal end and the distal end. The center portion dilates from a first configuration to a second configuration. The center portion has a larger diameter than the proximal end and the distal end when the center portion is in the second configuration. At least one gripping feature is positioned on at least a portion of the exterior surface of the center portion. The gripping feature provides friction between the center portion and a bodily lumen when the center portion is in the second configuration. | 09-18-2014 |
20140296898 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS USEABLE FOR TREATING SINUSITIS - 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 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. | 10-02-2014 |
20140324093 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS USEABLE FOR TREATING SINUSITIS - 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 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. | 10-30-2014 |
20140336575 | FRONTAL SINUS SPACER - Substance delivering spacer devices may comprise expandable reservoirs that are implantable in paranasal sinuses and other cavities, openings and passageways of the body to maintain patency and to provide sustained local delivery of a therapeutic or diagnostic substance. Delivery apparatus including elongate tubular members as well as shapeable distal portions and atraumatic tips are provided. Also provided are sinus penetrator devices and systems for performing ethmoidotomy procedures or for creating other openings in the walls of paranasal sinuses or other anatomical structures. | 11-13-2014 |
20140336693 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRANSNASAL DILATION OF PASSAGEWAYS IN THE EAR, NOSE OR THROAT - Devices, systems and methods useable for dilating the ostia of paranasal sinuses and/or other passageways within the ear, nose or throat. A dilation catheter device and system is constructed in a manner that facilitates ease of use by the operator and, in at least some cases, allows the dilation procedure to be performed by a single operator. Additionally, the dilation catheter device and system may be useable in conjunction with an endoscope and/or a fluoroscope to provide for easy manipulation and positioning of the devices and real time visualization of the entire procedure or selected portions thereof. In some embodiments, an optional handle may be used to facilitate grasping or supporting a device of the present invention as well as another device (e.g., an endoscope) with a single hand. | 11-13-2014 |
20140350465 | Devices and Methods for Delivering Therapeutic Substances for the Treatment of Sinusitis and Other Disorders - Devices and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic or diagnostic substances to desired locations within the bodies of human or non-human animal subjects. An implantable delivery device comprising a reservoir is initially attached to a deliver catheter or delivery tool and is introduced into the body and positioned at a desired site. A therapeutic or diagnostic substance is then introduced into the reservoir and the delivery catheter or deliver tool is then removed, leaving the implantable delivery device implanted within the body. The substance is then delivered from the reservoir at a rate that causes the desire diagnostic or therapeutic effect. Also provided are substance eluting stents that elute substance from a selected surface of the stent (e.g., the outer surface) but not from another surface of the stent (e.g., the inner surface). | 11-27-2014 |
20140350526 | MUSCOSAL TISSUE DRESSING AND METHOD OF USE - A method and apparatus for reducing or eliminating pain after surgical procedures related to mucosal tissue, including tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or other pharyngeal operations. Certain embodiments provide a biodegradable film or covering that serves as a mechanical barrier to reduce pain caused, for example, by friction between solid food and healing tissue in the first few days after surgery. Some embodiments may include one or more therapeutic substances for locally reducing pain, facilitating healing and/or otherwise treating mucosal tissue at or near a tonsil bed. | 11-27-2014 |
20150088188 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS USEABLE FOR TREATING FRONTAL SINUSITIS - Devices, systems and methods wherein a dilator, such as a balloon or other expandable member, is positionable within the frontal sinus ostium and adjacent frontal recess and useable to dilate the frontal sinus ostium and substantially all of the frontal sinus recess without requiring repositioning and repeated re-expansion of the dilator. One balloon catheter device of the invention comprises a catheter body that is less than about 50 cm in length (and in some embodiments less than 25 cm in length and a semi-compliant or non-compliant balloon on the catheter body. The balloon may have a working length of about 12 mm to about 30 mm and a width at its widest point when fully inflated of about 2 mm to about 7 mm. Such balloon may be constructed to withstand inflation pressures of about 12 atmospheres. In some embodiments, the dilator is advanced through or over a guide (e.g., guidewire or guide catheter) that has a preformed shape. | 03-26-2015 |