A61B17/24

Balloon dilation catheter for use in sinus passageways

A balloon dilation catheter includes a substantially rigid inner guide member and a movable shaft coupled to a balloon that is slidably mounted on the substantially rigid inner guide member. To treat a sinus cavity of a subject using the balloon dilation the substantially rigid inner guide member is advanced into a drainage pathway of the sinus (e.g., frontal recess) of the subject via a nasal passageway. The shaft and balloon are advanced in a distal direction over the substantially rigid inner guide member to place the balloon in the drainage pathway. The balloon is inflated to expand or otherwise remodel the drainage pathway.

Method for manufacturing sheet for use in tongue plaque cleaner

Provided is a method for manufacturing a sheet for use in a tongue plaque cleaner, capable of reliably cutting loops of thread members provided at a given density, and forming thread members each having a shape with an arc portion sufficient enough to scrape off tongue plaque, through steps that are simple, low-cost and suitable for mass production. A method for manufacturing a sheet 1 for use in a tongue plaque cleaner for scraping off tongue plaque, includes: a step of heating a sheet material having multiple looped thread members 2 protruding from one surface of the sheet material, at a temperature below the melting point of the thread members 2; and a step of forming first thread members 3, 8 and second thread members 4, 9 by cutting loops of the thread members 2 heated.

Preventing twisting of pull wires when deflecting an ear-nose-throat tool

A medical tool includes, a deflectable distal end, at least a pull wire, and a coupling element. The at least pull wire has a first end coupled to the distal end of the medical tool, and configured to be moved for deflecting the distal end. The coupling element is coupled to a second end of the pull wire and having at least two boreholes configured to receive at least two respective rods traversing therethrough. The coupling element is configured to be moved along a rotation axis of a rotatable element coupled thereto, and the boreholes and the respective rods are configured to prevent rotation of the coupling element.

Disposable tongue scraper
11540850 · 2023-01-03 ·

The present invention relates to a disposable tongue scraper which has a strong and simple structure, a durable and efficient operation, comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, and a novel combination and arrangement of parts comprising a scraper body that forms a curved shape after bending at an acute angle at a bending point for scraping operation, a pair of handle casings attached with the scraper body, and a storage tissue net attached to the bottom of the scraper body to store the scraped oral wastes and to absorb the oral fluid. The present invention aims to provide the tongue scraper not only utilized for scraping the coating from the tongue, but also for storing the scraped oral wastes and saliva wastes from the mouth to maintain hygiene.

Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the sinuses

A medical device for the treatment of a sinus opening includes a handle, a grooming sheath, a rail, a guide wire, a balloon catheter and a balloon catheter movement mechanism. The handle has a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis along the length of the handle. The grooming sheath has a distal end and a proximal end with the proximal end of the grooming sheath being attached to the distal end of the handle. The rail has a distal end and a proximal end and disposed partially within the grooming sheath to define an annular lumen is between the rail and the grooming sheath. The guide wire operatively extends from the distal end of the rail and the balloon catheter is disposed at least partially in the handle and annular lumen. The balloon catheter movement mechanism operatively disposed on the handle and configured for advancement and retraction of the balloon catheter through both the handle and the annular lumen and along both the rail and guide wire by user operation of the balloon catheter movement mechanism. A method for treating a sinus opening includes inserting a medical device for the treatment of a sinus opening partially into a patient's anatomy and then positioning a guide wire operatively extending from a rail of a medical device into a sinus opening of the patient. The method further includes advancing a balloon catheter from an annular lumen of the medical device and along both the rail of the medical device and the guide wire. The method also includes treating the sinus opening via inflation of the balloon catheter. In the method, the annular lumen is between the rail and a grooming sheath of the medical device and the advancing is accomplished via user operation of a balloon catheter movement mechanism of the medical device.

Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the sinuses

A medical device for the treatment of a sinus opening includes a handle, a grooming sheath, a rail, a guide wire, a balloon catheter and a balloon catheter movement mechanism. The handle has a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis along the length of the handle. The grooming sheath has a distal end and a proximal end with the proximal end of the grooming sheath being attached to the distal end of the handle. The rail has a distal end and a proximal end and disposed partially within the grooming sheath to define an annular lumen is between the rail and the grooming sheath. The guide wire operatively extends from the distal end of the rail and the balloon catheter is disposed at least partially in the handle and annular lumen. The balloon catheter movement mechanism operatively disposed on the handle and configured for advancement and retraction of the balloon catheter through both the handle and the annular lumen and along both the rail and guide wire by user operation of the balloon catheter movement mechanism. A method for treating a sinus opening includes inserting a medical device for the treatment of a sinus opening partially into a patient's anatomy and then positioning a guide wire operatively extending from a rail of a medical device into a sinus opening of the patient. The method further includes advancing a balloon catheter from an annular lumen of the medical device and along both the rail of the medical device and the guide wire. The method also includes treating the sinus opening via inflation of the balloon catheter. In the method, the annular lumen is between the rail and a grooming sheath of the medical device and the advancing is accomplished via user operation of a balloon catheter movement mechanism of the medical device.

Portable multifunctional oral cavity cleaner
11534193 · 2022-12-27 ·

Disclosed is a portable multifunctional oral cavity cleaner which includes a tongue scraper, a material storage bottle, a material spraying device and a detachable housing; the tongue scraper can be changed into a contracted state from a stretched state via bending, rotating or folding, so as to reduce the volume of the oral cavity cleaner; an oral cavity cleaner body including the tongue scraper in the contracted state is housed in an inner cavity of the housing; and the housing can be reversely combined at the bottom of the oral cavity cleaner after being detached and used as a handle for prolonging the length of the oral cavity cleaner. The present application, featured with small size, light weight and portability, ensures hygiene in the carrying process and realizes multiple functions such as tongue coating removal, oral spray sterilization and interdental cleaning at one time.

Apparatus and methods for dilating and modifying ostia of paranasal sinuses and other intranasal or paranasal structures

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.

Apparatus and methods for dilating and modifying ostia of paranasal sinuses and other intranasal or paranasal structures

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.

DEVICES AND METHODS FOR MANIPULATING NASAL TISSUES
20220395367 · 2022-12-15 ·

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.