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. Specific devices (e.g., tubular guides, guidewires, balloon catheters, tubular sheaths) are provided as are methods for manufacturing and using such devices to treat disorders of the ear, nose or throat.

Disclosed herein is a medical device. The medical device includes two coaxially aligned solenoids and a cannulated armature configured to be received within the two coaxially aligned solenoids.

A method for minimizing infectious particle exposure during endonasal surgeries includes the steps of: introducing an aspiration device through a mouth of a patient and positioning a distal tip within the nasopharynx space, the aspiration device comprising an elongated balloon catheter having an inflatable balloon located within a distal region thereof and a distal aspiration port that is positioned distal to the balloon; inflating the balloon so that the balloon occupies the nasopharynx space; and aspirating any infectious particles within the nasopharynx space via the distal aspiration port.

A method includes inserting a first dilation catheter into a first nostril of a patient. A first dilator of the first dilation catheter is positioned between the nasal septum of the patient and the turbinate of the patient. The first dilator is expanded, thereby remodeling one or more of the nasal septum, the turbinate, or mucosal tissue of the patient. The first dilation catheter is removed from the nostril of the patient. A second dilation catheter may be inserted into a second nostril of the patient. A dilator of the second dilation catheter may provide an opposing force on the nasal septum to prevent over-medialization of the nasal septum.

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.

The present disclosure provides a balloon dilation catheter that includes a handle (102), a substantially rigid inner guide member (108) coupled to the handle, a shaft (118) arranged over the inner guide member, a balloon (120) coupled to the inner guide member, and a polymer ball tip (122) positioned at a distal end of the balloon. To treat a sinus drainage pathway of a subject using the balloon dilation catheter, the substantially rigid inner guide member is positioned into the drainage pathway of the sinus of the subject via a nasal passageway. The balloon is then inflated to expand or otherwise remodel the drainage pathway.

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, Specific devices (e.g., tubular guides, guidewires, balloon catheters, tubular sheaths) are provided as are methods for manufacturing and using such devices to treat disorders of the ear, nose or throat.

The present invention discloses an ear and/or nose cleaning device comprising a handle including at least one cartridge. The cleaning device further comprises at least one cleaning tip having a spiral body, at least one curved shape feature, a set of bristles, or a combination thereof. The spiral body can include one of an oval shape arrangement and a cylindrical shape arrangement. The handle is configured to couple with the at least one cleaning tip using a connection mechanism. Furthermore, the present invention also discloses the cleaning tip for use in an ear and nose cleaning device.

A suction instrument includes a proximal end, a distal end configured to be positioned within or adjacent to an anatomical passageway of a patient, and a suction lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. The suction lumen is configured to provide suction at the distal end. A navigation sensor is disposed along a portion of the suction lumen and is operable to generate an electrical signal corresponding to a location of the portion within the patient. A coupling feature is disposed at the proximal end and is configured to releasably couple the proximal end with a body.

Described embodiments include a system that includes a display and a processor. The processor is configured to modify an image that includes a representation of a wall of an anatomical cavity, by overlaying an icon that represents an intrabody tool on a portion of the image that corresponds to a location of the intrabody tool within the anatomical cavity, and overlaying a marker on a portion of the representation of the wall that corresponds to a location at which the intrabody tool would meet the wall, were the intrabody tool to continue moving toward the wall in a direction in which the intrabody tool is pointing. The processor is further configured to display the modified image on the display. Other embodiments are also described.