Described herein are devices and methods for applying a tension force to various tissues. The devices may be delivered in minimally invasive fashion and used to manipulate tissues in the nose, ear, and throat. Force may be maintained by the devices for a time period that allows shaping, compression, or approximation of tissues.

A choanal atresia apparatus for use in prevention of stenosis following choanal atresia repair in patients. Two tubular choanal tubes each have an interior surface and an exterior surface, an anterior end and a posterior end, and a central axis. A plurality of axially spaced apertures in each of the two choanal tubes are for discharging nasal secretion. A strip has opposed ends coupled to the posterior ends of the two choanal tubes respectively. The strip couples the two choanal tubes in a laterally spaced relationship. The choanal tubes and the strip are fabricated of a medical grade plastic.

A device having a structured coating for adhering to rough, in particular, biological surfaces, includes a carrier layer, wherein a plurality of protrusions is arranged on the carrier layer, which protrusions each comprise at least one stem having an end face pointing away from the surface, and wherein a further layer is arranged at least on the end face, wherein the layer has a lower modulus of elasticity and is in the form of a film that interconnects the protrusions. The film can also be in the form of a removable film.

A method is used to insert an implant within a lateral wall of a nose of a patient. The method includes forming an initial incision with a surface of the lateral wall of the nose. A stylet is advanced within the lateral wall of the nose, thereby creating a pocket within the lateral wall of the nose. The stylet is further advanced until an expanding body of the stylet is at least partially housed within the pocket of the lateral wall. The expanding body of the stylet is enlarged to thereby enlarge the pocket within the lateral wall. The implant is placed within the enlarged pocket of the lateral wall.

A device having a structured coating for adhering to rough, in particular biological, surfaces, includes a carrier layer, wherein a plurality of protrusions is arranged on the carrier layer, which protrusions each comprise at least a shaft having an end face pointing away from the surface, and wherein a further layer is arranged at least on the end face, wherein the layer has a different modulus of elasticity than the protrusion in question. The further layer can also fill the intermediate spaces between the protrusions such that an internal structured coating is produced.

A device having a structured coating for adhering to rough, in particular biological, surfaces, includes a carrier layer, wherein a plurality of protrusions is arranged on the carrier layer, which protrusions each comprise at least a shaft having an end face pointing away from the surface, and wherein a further layer is arranged at least on the end face, wherein the layer has a different modulus of elasticity than the protrusion in question. The further layer can also fill the intermediate spaces between the protrusions such that an internal structured coating is produced.

An implant delivery system includes a catheter, an implant, and a push body. The catheter extends from a first proximal end to a first distal end. The catheter defines an inner lumen extending through the first distal end. The implant includes a second proximal, a second distal end, and a plurality of resilient barbs. The implant is slidably housed within the inner lumen. The implant is compressed in the inner lumen such that the implant bears against an inner diameter of the inner lumen and the implant is retained within the inner lumen by friction. The push body is slidably housed within the inner lumen of the catheter. The push body is adjacent to the second proximal end of the implant.

An implant delivery system includes a catheter, an implant, and a push body. The catheter extends from a first proximal end to a first distal end. The catheter defines an inner lumen extending through the first distal end. The implant includes a second proximal, a second distal end, and a plurality of resilient barbs. The implant is slidably housed within the inner lumen. The implant is compressed in the inner lumen such that the implant bears against an inner diameter of the inner lumen and the implant is retained within the inner lumen by friction. The push body is slidably housed within the inner lumen of the catheter. The push body is adjacent to the second proximal end of the implant.

Described here are delivery devices for delivering one or more implants to the body, and methods of using. The delivery devices may deliver implants to a variety of locations within the body, for a number of different uses. In some variations, the delivery devices have a cannula with one or more curved sections. In some variations, a pusher may be used to release one or more implants from the cannula. In some variations, one or more of the released implants may be a self-expanding device. Methods of delivering implants to one or more sinus cavities are also described here.

Described here are delivery devices for delivering one or more implants to the body, and methods of using. The delivery devices may deliver implants to a variety of locations within the body, for a number of different uses. In some variations, the delivery devices have a cannula with one or more curved sections. In some variations, a pusher may be used to release one or more implants from the cannula. In some variations, one or more of the released implants may be a self-expanding device. Methods of delivering implants to one or more sinus cavities are also described here.