Apparatus, including a probe having a distal end insertable into a nasal sinus of a human patient, and a location sensor positioned within the distal end. A sinuplasty balloon is positioned on the distal end at a selected opening of the nasal sinus. A processor receives first signals from the location sensor while the distal end is inserted into the nasal sinus and prior to positioning of the balloon at the selected opening, and generates a first map of the sinus. The processor inflates the balloon when it is at the selected opening, so as to enlarge the selected opening, and subsequently deflates the balloon. The processor then receives second signals from the location sensor and generates therefrom a second map of the sinus. The processor registers the first map with the second map and generates from the registered maps a numerical increase in size of the selected opening.

A torque coil 10 includes a first filar configured in an inner layer 14 that is helically wound in a constricted state such that it defines an inner lumen providing access between a proximal and distal end of the torque coil. A second filar is configured in an outer layer 18 that is helically wound over the inner layer in a constricted state. At least one of the first and second filars includes a signal transmitting material surrounded by an isolating material thereby allowing transmission of signals between the proximal and distal end of the torque coil in one of the layers. At least one of the first and second filars includes a torque transmitting material thereby configuring the torque coil to transfer torque from the proximal to the distal end.

An electromagnetic navigation device for guiding and tracking an interventional tool (40) within an anatomical region. The electromagnetic navigation device employs a guidewire (20) insertable into the anatomical region, and a hub (30) translatable and/or rotatable in conjunction with the interventional tool (40) relative to the guidewire (20). In operation, the guidewire (20) includes one or more guidance electromagnetic sensors generating guidance data informative of an electromagnetic sensing of a position and/or an orientation of the guidewire (20) relative to the anatomical region, and the hub (30) includes a tracking electromagnetic sensor (31) generating tracking data informative of an electromagnetic sensing of a position and/or an orientation of the hub (30) relative to the guidewire (20). Responsive to the electromagnetic sensing data, a navigation controller (76) controls a determination of a position and/or an orientation of the interventional tool (40) relative to the guidewire (20).

A method of performing medical procedure includes inserting a working channel into a bodily cavity, the working channel having an elongated shaft with a first lumen and a second lumen and an inflatable balloon positioned at a distal end of the shaft and having a mesh disposed an outer wall thereof, wherein the mesh creates a textured surface that prevents slippage of the balloon on surrounding tissue, advancing the working channel through the bodily cavity until the inflatable balloon reaches an anchoring position, anchoring the working channel at the anchoring position by supplying fluid via a pump until the balloon is inflated and the textured surface grips the surrounding tissue, inserting at least one medical instrument through the second lumen and performing the medical procedure, withdrawing the medical instrument from the second lumen, deflating the inflatable balloon, and withdrawing the working channel from the bodily cavity.

[Problem] To provide a guidewire that has good operability and that can perform procedures efficiently. [Solution to Problem] A guidewire is for guiding insertion of a medical appliance into a subject. The guidewire includes an inserting portion and an observation optical system. The inserting portion has a first part and a second part that has higher flexibility than the first part, and the inserting portion is to be inserted into the subject. The observation optical system is provided to the inserting portion, and the observation optical system is provided for observing inside the subject.

A tool adapted for insertion into a physiological lumen of a patient is provided. The tool includes a hub, a core extending distally from the hub, and a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly. The PCB assembly includes a PCB substrate coupled to the core and an electronic component disposed on the PCB substrate and electrically coupled to the hub. The tool further includes an outer sheath disposed about each of the core and the PCB assembly.an outer sheath disposed about each of the core and the PCB assembly. The PCB substrate may be in the form of a ring disposed at a distal end or about the core or may be a flexible PCB substrate adapted to be wrapped about the core and coupled to the core using an adhesive backing.

Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a medical device for measuring blood pressure. The medical device may include an elongated shaft having a proximal region and a distal region. An optical fiber may extend along the proximal region. The optical fiber may be secured to an inner surface of the shaft. An optical pressure sensor may be coupled to the optical fiber. The optical pressure sensor may be disposed along the distal region. A sealing member may be attached to the optical fiber and may have a surface engaged with the inner surface of the shaft.

A Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) guidewire and method of use includes at least two pairs of small surface area, closely spaced electrodes spaced axially along the length of the guidewire to allow one electrode pair to be positioned on each side of a coronary stenosis. The electrodes can sense electrical signals from the myocardium immediately adjacent to the electrodes, enabling the guidewire to record and analyze an Intra-Coronary Electrogram (ICEG) and heart pacing, and, therefore, facilitate more accurately diagnosis of an individual patient's stenosis and provide a more patient specific diagnosis of clinical need.

This invention relates to a method of catheter and radiating coil location in a human body. In particular, when a radiating coil is used in conjunction with a catheter, a coil locating device can be used to determine the distance the coil is from the device and its depth in the patient's body. A display is provided that shows both a reference image of a portion of a non-subject body and an image of the coil located on the display with reference to the reference image. This is achieved by locating the coil-locating device on a predetermined landmark on the patient's body. The coil and its signal wires can be incorporated into a stylet, guide wire or a catheter. The coil locating device can be orientated towards the head of the patient and for an axis of the device to be aligned with the mid sagittal plane of the patient.

Devices for localizing an intracerebral hematoma or blood mass in brain tissue. The devices include an elongate probe a color sensors and a light emitter on the distal end of the probe. The color sensors produce a signal corresponding to the color of light reflected into the color sensors. A display is provided to indicate the color detected.