A tissue expansion system includes an expandable bladder for placement beneath the skin corresponding to a tissue to be expanded, a fluid source, a pump coupled to both the fluid source and the expandable bladder to deliver inflation medium thereto, a controller for the pump, a pressure sensor for monitoring pressure within the expandable bladder and informing the action of the controller, and a carrier for holding at least the fluid source, pump, and controller. The carrier is wearable as a bra or form-fitting vest and is shaped to mimic the appearance of natural breasts for the patient. The fluid source can have an outward facing surface that is relatively rigid to maintain a curved shape mimicking that of natural breast(s). The inward facing surface of the fluid source may be flexible to conform to the shape of the underlying skin and tissue as it is expanded.

An ENT tool has a tool chassis having a chassis channel and a tool chassis distal end. A tubular probe is dimensioned to be inserted into a human patient orifice, the probe is rotatable about a probe axis of symmetry, and the probe has a probe proximal end rotatingly connected to the tool chassis distal end. A balloon insertion mechanism is slidingly located within the chassis channel, and is configured to fixedly accept a balloon sinuplasty mechanism penetrating the tubular probe. A guidewire adjustment section is fixedly attached to the balloon insertion mechanism, and the section has a rotatable enclosure. A plurality of rollers are disposed within the enclosure and are configured so that on rotation of the enclosure the rollers grip and rotate a guidewire positioned between the rollers, and, absent rotation of the enclosure, release the guidewire and permit distal and proximal translation of the guidewire.

A dilation catheter includes a shaft, a distal tip sized and configured to pass through an isthmus of a Eustachian tube (ET), and an expandable element moveable along an exterior of the shaft between a proximal position and a distal position. The expandable element is operable to transition between an unexpanded state in which the expandable element is configured for insertion into the ET via the isthmus, and an expanded state in which the expandable element is configured to dilate the ET.

A dilation catheter includes a shaft, a distal tip sized and configured to pass through an isthmus of a Eustachian tube (ET), and an expandable element moveable along an exterior of the shaft between a proximal position and a distal position. The expandable element is operable to transition between an unexpanded state in which the expandable element is configured for insertion into the ET via the isthmus, and an expanded state in which the expandable element is configured to dilate the ET.

The present disclosure provides a guide wire system comprising (a) a guide wire having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the guide wire comprises a superelastic material, (b) a first connector coupled to the proximal end of the guide wire, (c) a second connector coupled to the guide wire between the distal end and the proximal end, (d) an electromagnetic sensor coupled to the distal end of the guide wire, and (e) a polymeric tube surrounding the guide wire and at least a portion of the electromagnetic sensor.

The present disclosure provides a guide wire system comprising (a) a guide wire having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the guide wire comprises a superelastic material, (b) a first connector coupled to the proximal end of the guide wire, (c) a second connector coupled to the guide wire between the distal end and the proximal end, (d) an electromagnetic sensor coupled to the distal end of the guide wire, and (e) a polymeric tube surrounding the guide wire and at least a portion of the electromagnetic sensor.

A method includes inserting a dilation catheter into a nostril of a patient and positioning a first dilator of the dilation catheter between a turbinate of the patient and an adjacent lateral nasal wall of the patient. The method also includes expanding the first dilator, thereby applying pressure to the turbinate of the patient, and removing the dilation catheter from the nostril of the patient.

A method includes inserting a dilation catheter into a nostril of a patient and positioning a first dilator of the dilation catheter between a turbinate of the patient and an adjacent lateral nasal wall of the patient. The method also includes expanding the first dilator, thereby applying pressure to the turbinate of the patient, and removing the dilation catheter from the nostril of the patient.

A balloon dilator device, comprising an annularly shaped, cylindrical type structure having walls that are expandable from a radially collapsed state to a radially expanded state by inflation of a balloon inserted within the annular structure. Once the walls have been expanded, they remain in the expanded state even if the balloon is deflated, because the radially expanded state is a state of minimum mechanical potential energy, and in order to return to the collapsed state, the structure would have to pass a state of higher potential energy. The device walls require sufficient stiffness in their longitudinal direction to enable the device to be pushed into a minimally invasive incision made in the subject. This device stiffness can be achieved either by its mechanical material properties, or by its substantially closed wall structure, or by use of a stiff protector sheath used to protect the walls during insertion.

A balloon dilator device, comprising an annularly shaped, cylindrical type structure having walls that are expandable from a radially collapsed state to a radially expanded state by inflation of a balloon inserted within the annular structure. Once the walls have been expanded, they remain in the expanded state even if the balloon is deflated, because the radially expanded state is a state of minimum mechanical potential energy, and in order to return to the collapsed state, the structure would have to pass a state of higher potential energy. The device walls require sufficient stiffness in their longitudinal direction to enable the device to be pushed into a minimally invasive incision made in the subject. This device stiffness can be achieved either by its mechanical material properties, or by its substantially closed wall structure, or by use of a stiff protector sheath used to protect the walls during insertion.