Apparatus and methods for tissue reduction are described where one embodiment of the tissue resection device may generally comprise an external clamping mechanism having at least two distally extending members shaped with an atraumatic distal end and defining a confined region between the distally extending members sized to receive a tissue region therebetween. Additionally, an elongate coring needle defining a lumen and having a proximal end attached to a handle and a distal end which defines a cutting mechanism may also be included, wherein the coring needle is translatable adjacent and/or relative to the external or internal clamping mechanism defined by the confined region.

Irrigation and/or aspiration devices and methods may be configured to aspirate and irrigate alone, sequentially, or concurrently. The devices and methods may provide a base with a removable head, and adapted for partial or complete separation of the irrigation and aspiration functions. The devices and methods can be configured to aspirate and/or irrigate the nasal and sinus cavities. The devices and methods may be manually and/or automatically controlled. The devices and methods may include removable, and/or replaceable, and/or refillable, and easily cleanable reservoirs for aspirant and irrigant. The device head and/or aspirant reservoir may comprise a diagnostic device, i.e., test device and/or container after use of the devices and methods.

Variations of integral navigation controls may be used in conjunction with a medical instrument to provide navigation functions for an image guided surgery (IGS) system that is in communication with the integral navigation controls. In some variations, a medical instrument with integrated navigation wheels allows movement of a cursor of the IGS system along the x and y axis by scrolling the wheel, or allows selection, zooming, or other controls by combined clicking and/or scrolling of wheels, and may be sterilized or discarded along with the device. In some other variations, a control overlay may be temporarily attached to the medical instrument to provide additional controls, such as buttons or a pointing stick, and then removed and sterilized or discarded after a procedure. In each variation, inputs may be communicated via wire or wirelessly to an IGS system to provide navigation of images during a surgical procedure.

A suction instrument includes a grip portion and a cannula. The grip portion includes a suction port and defines a first lumen. The cannula extends distally from the grip portion. The cannula defines a second lumen in fluid communication with the first lumen of the grip portion. The cannula includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion of the cannula defines a first portion of the second lumen. The first portion of the second lumen has a first cross-sectional area. The distal portion terminates into an open distal end. The distal portion of the cannula defines a second portion of the second lumen. The second portion of the second lumen has a second cross-sectional area. The second cross-sectional area is smaller than the first cross-sectional area.

An ear/nose cleaning device comprises of a plastic framework, having a pair of arms/handles, a pair of scoops/bulbous-shaped portion at the distal end of the arms/handles, and a U-shaped swab at proximal end of device. Cotton (or other absorbent material) is tightly and finely adhered to plastic body/framework of scoop and U-shaped swab. The scoops have a hollow inside and flat oval edges for scraping and collecting ear wax/debris or nasal mucous and depositing within the hollow portion. Each arm has a gripping/roughen portion to the lateral side to prevent slipping of device when in use.

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.

A method includes inserting a first dilation catheter into a first nostril of a patient. A first dilator of the first dilation catheter is positioned between the nasal septum of the patient and the turbinate of the patient. The first dilator is expanded, thereby remodeling one or more of the nasal septum, the turbinate, or mucosal tissue of the patient. The first dilation catheter is removed from the nostril of the patient. A second dilation catheter may be inserted into a second nostril of the patient. A dilator of the second dilation catheter may provide an opposing force on the nasal septum to prevent over-medialization of the nasal septum.

A system for accessing a body cavity, such as a paranasal sinus, may include a sinus access member and a handle. The sinus access member may include a rigid support tube, a curved shape memory member slidably disposed at least partially within the rigid support tube, a flexible tube slidably disposed over at least part of the curved shape memory member, and proximal coupling end. The handle may include an engagement mechanism at a distal end for releasably attaching to the proximal coupling end of the sinus access member, a housing for gripping with a hand, a curving slider for extending and retracting the curved shape memory member, and an extension slider for extending and retracting the flexible tube relative to the curved shape memory member and the rigid support tube. The handle may be reusable, and the sinus access member may be disposable.

A system for accessing a body cavity, such as a paranasal sinus, may include a sinus access member and a handle. The sinus access member may include a rigid support tube, a curved shape memory member slidably disposed at least partially within the rigid support tube, a flexible tube slidably disposed over at least part of the curved shape memory member, and proximal coupling end. The handle may include an engagement mechanism at a distal end for releasably attaching to the proximal coupling end of the sinus access member, a housing for gripping with a hand, a curving slider for extending and retracting the curved shape memory member, and an extension slider for extending and retracting the flexible tube relative to the curved shape memory member and the rigid support tube. The handle may be reusable, and the sinus access member may be disposable.

Variations of integral navigation controls may be used in conjunction with a medical instrument to provide navigation functions for an image guided surgery (IGS) system that is in communication with the integral navigation controls. In some variations, a medical instrument with integrated navigation wheels allows movement of a cursor of the IGS system along the x and y axis by scrolling the wheel, or allows selection, zooming, or other controls by combined clicking and/or scrolling of wheels, and may be sterilized or discarded along with the device. In some other variations, a control overlay may be temporarily attached to the medical instrument to provide additional controls, such as buttons or a pointing stick, and then removed and sterilized or discarded after a procedure. In each variation, inputs may be communicated via wire or wirelessly to an IGS system to provide navigation of images during a surgical procedure.