An instrument includes a handle assembly, a shaft, a dilation catheter, and a position sensor. The shaft extends distally from the handle assembly. The shaft includes a distal end that is configured to be introduced into an anatomical passageway within a head of a human. The dilation catheter includes an expandable dilator and is configured to advance distally relative to the shaft. The position sensor is configured to generate signals indicating a position of the position sensor within the head. The position sensor is configured to advance distally between at least first and second positions. The position sensor is disposed adjacent the distal end of the shaft in the first position, and is configured to be carried further distally by the dilation catheter to the second position. In the second position, the position sensor is separated a distance from the distal end of the shaft.

An apparatus includes a handle assembly, a guide member extending distally from the handle assembly, and a dilation catheter slidably disposed relative to the guide member. The dilation catheter includes an expandable element configured to dilate a paranasal sinus ostium of a patient. A navigation sensor is movably disposed at the distal end of the guide member and is operable to generate a signal corresponding to a location thereof within the patient. The navigation sensor is configured to translate distally with the dilation catheter relative to the guide member when a distal end of the dilation catheter translates distally beyond the distal end of the guide member. The navigation sensor is further configured to assume a position at the distal end of the guide member when the distal end of the dilation catheter retracts proximally of the distal end of the guide member.

Described here are devices, systems, and methods for treating conditions or diseases of the nose, ear, or throat with an expandable device having a drug coating. The expandable devices may be delivered to a body cavity in a low-profile configuration and expanded to contact surrounding tissue. The expandable devices may deliver or release the drug coating to the tissue. Multiple expansions of a single device may be employed during treatment. Various coating excipients and manufacturing parameters for the expandable devices may also be adjusted to enhance or slow transfer of the drug coating and/or release of the drug to the target tissue site. The drug transferred to the tissue may act as an in situ depot that enables maintenance of a therapeutic level of locally delivered drug for a desired time period after removal of the expandable devices.

An apparatus includes a handle assembly, a guide tube, and a dilation catheter. The guide tube extends distally from the handle assembly. At least a distal portion of the guide tube is malleable. The dilation catheter is slidably positioned in the guide tube. The dilation catheter includes a distal end, a dilator, and a position sensor. The position sensor is configured to generate a signal indicating a position of the position sensor in three-dimensional space. The dilation catheter is configured to translate relative to the guide tube.

An apparatus includes a base housing, an actuator, and a blade. The base housing defines an upwardly presented support surface. The base housing also defines a distally oriented tip receiving recess. The distally oriented tip receiving recess is sized and configured to receive a bulbous distal tip of a dilation catheter. The actuator is movably coupled with the base housing. The blade us secured to the actuator. The actuator is operable to move the blade downwardly relative to the base housing. The blade is configured to sever a portion of a dilation catheter along a plane longitudinally interposed between the support surface and the tip receiving recess to thereby sever the bulbous distal tip of the dilation catheter in response to movement of the actuator relative to the base housing.

Described here are devices, systems, and methods for treating conditions or diseases of the nose, ear, or throat with an expandable device having a drug coating. The expandable devices may be delivered to a body cavity in a low-profile configuration and expanded to contact surrounding tissue. The expandable devices may deliver or release the drug coating to the tissue. Multiple expansions of a single device may be employed during treatment. Various coating excipients and manufacturing parameters for the expandable devices may also be adjusted to enhance or slow transfer of the drug coating and/or release of the drug to the target tissue site. The drug transferred to the tissue may act as an in situ depot that enables maintenance of a therapeutic level of locally delivered drug for a desired time period after removal of the expandable devices.

A method for detecting characteristics of a Eustachian tube of a patient includes communicating pressurized air into an oro-nasal cavity of the patient. The method further includes directing an energy signal into the oro-nasal cavity. The method further includes detecting transmission of the energy signal from the oro-nasal cavity through the Eustachian tube with a sensor. The method further includes determining at least one characteristic of the Eustachian tube based on whether the energy signal is detected by the sensor.

A plug is configured to maintain position within a Eustachian tube of a patient. The plug includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion includes a first body dimensioned bear radially outwardly against the Eustachian tube of the patient. The distal portion includes an anchoring assembly that is configured to lock the plug in the Eustachian tube of the patient. The plug may be formed of a bioabsorbable material.

A guide catheter system for use in treating the sinus cavity or Eustachian tube is described. The system includes a guide catheter that has a proximal end and a distal end and an elongate shaft between the proximal end and the distal end and a guidewire. The guide catheter includes a deflection feature on a distal tip of the distal end for deflecting the guidewire at a predetermined angle.

Described here are devices, systems, and methods for treating conditions or diseases of the nose, ear, or throat with an expandable device having a drug coating. The expandable devices may be delivered to a body cavity in a low-profile configuration and expanded to contact surrounding tissue. The expandable devices may deliver or release the drug coating to the tissue. Multiple expansions of a single device may be employed during treatment. Various coating excipients and manufacturing parameters for the expandable devices may also be adjusted to enhance or slow transfer of the drug coating and/or release of the drug to the target tissue site. The drug transferred to the tissue may act as an in situ depot that enables maintenance of a therapeutic level of locally delivered drug for a desired time period after removal of the expandable devices.