An example catheter has an elongate member defining an elongate member proximal end, an elongate member distal end, an outer surface, and a main body, the outer surface defining a side opening at a position between the elongate member proximal end and the elongate member distal end, the main body defining a first lumen and a second lumen, the second lumen extending from the elongate member proximal end to the side opening; a balloon disposed on the elongate member between the side opening and the elongate member distal end; and an engagement member disposed in the second lumen, the engagement member defining an engagement member proximal end and an engagement member distal end, the engagement member proximal end extending axially beyond the elongate member proximal end, the engagement member distal end having an engagement portion and extending radially beyond the side opening in a first direction.

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.

An apparatus for use with an elongated medical device configured to be tacitly contacted by a user is disclosed. The apparatus includes an elongated medical-conveyance assembly defining an elongated conveyance lumen configured to receive the elongated medical device. A tactile feature is located at (in) the elongated conveyance lumen. The elongated guidewire-conveyance assembly may include biocompatible material properties suitable for sufficient performance.

An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, and a deflection actuation assembly. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis and includes a flexible distal portion. The deflection actuation assembly includes a first rotary actuator, a translatable actuation member, and a resilient member. The translatable actuation member extends through the shaft assembly and is operatively coupled with the first rotary actuator and the flexible distal portion of the shaft assembly. The first rotary actuator is rotatable by a rotational force to thereby drive the translatable actuation member longitudinally. The resilient member is positioned between the first rotary actuator and the body and is configured to apply a friction force between the first rotary actuator and the body. The friction force is operable to increase the rotational force required to rotate the first rotary actuator.

In one embodiment, an expandable access sheath including a planar sheet of material that is configured to be rolled up around an inflatable balloon, the sheet comprising an inner surface, an outer surface, a leading edge, a trailing edge, a proximal edge, and a distal edge, the sheet further including at least one locking tab that extends from either the inner surface or the outer surface of the sheet, wherein the leading edge of the sheet is configured to interface with the locking tab to lock the access sheath in a predetermined configuration in which the access sheath forms an inner working channel having a predetermined cross-sectional dimension after the access sheath has been expanded by the inflatable balloon.

A method of forming a three-dimensional object is carried out by providing a carrier and an optically transparent member having a build surface, the carrier and the build surface defining a build region therebetween; filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid; irradiating the build region through the optically transparent member to form a solid polymer from the polymerizable liquid and advancing the carrier away from the build surface to form the three-dimensional object from the solid polymer, while also concurrently with the irradiating and/or advancing steps: (i) continuously maintaining a dead zone of polymerizable liquid in contact with the build surface, and (ii) continuously maintaining a gradient of polymerization zone between the dead zone and the solid polymer and in contact with each thereof. The gradient of polymerization zone comprises the polymerizable liquid in partially cured form (e.g., so that the formation of fault or cleavage lines between layers of solid polymer in the three-dimensional object is reduced). Apparatus for carrying out the method is also described.

A surgical system and method are used to position a guidewire within an anatomical passageway includes the guidewire, a dilator, a reference feature, and a marker. The guidewire has a guidewire body extending to a distal body end portion. The dilator is secured on the distal body end portion and configured to expand from a contracted state to an expanded state. The dilator in the contracted state is configured to pass through an isthmus of a Eustachian tube. The dilator in the expanded state is configured to dilate the Eustachian tube. The reference feature secured relative to the guidewire, and the marker is positioned on the guidewire a predetermined distance from the reference feature. Thereby, the marker is configured to indicate the predetermined distance to an operator for determining a depth of the reference feature in the anatomical passageway.

Improved methods and devices for performing an endoscopic surgery are provided. Systems are taught for operatively treating gastrointestinal disorders endoscopically in a stable, yet dynamic operative environment, and in a minimally-invasive manner. Such systems include, for example, an endoscopic surgical suite. The surgical suite can have a reversibly-expandable retractor that expands to provide a stable, operative environment within a subject. The expansion can be asymmetric around a stabilizer subsystem to maximize space for a tool and an endoscope to each be maneuvered independently to visualize a target tissue and treat the target tissue from outside the patient in a minimally invasive manner.

This application is generally related to systems and methods for accessing the paranasal sinuses and other passages of the nose, ear, and throat. The systems and methods generally employ devices capable of maintaining a fixed handle orientation with respect to the patient while generating the appropriate applicator deflection angle required to rotationally align or orient the applicator tip to the intended target tissue/anatomy for treatment. Methods are also described for deploying drug delivery devices within these body structures using the systems to treat medical conditions associated therewith.

The invention describes a sinus balloon catheter and methods of use. Specifically a sinus balloon catheter for dilating a sinus cavity lumen is provided with a tip that can be extended. The catheter comprises a guide tube with a proximal and distal end, a sleeve member, a balloon disposed upon the sleeve member and a rounded tip arranged at the distal end and extendable along with the extension of the sleeve member.