Abstract:
Sinusitis, tumors, infections, fractures and other disorders of the paranasal sinuses, are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches. Access devices may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices such catheters, balloon catheters, dilation catheters, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, suction or irrigation devices and biopsy devices.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for reducing or eliminating pain after surgical procedures related to mucosal tissue, including tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or other pharyngeal operations. Certain embodiments provide a biodegradable film or covering that serves as a mechanical barrier to reduce pain caused, for example, by friction between solid food and healing tissue in the first few days after surgery. Some embodiments may include one or more therapeutic substances for locally reducing pain, facilitating healing and/or otherwise treating mucosal tissue at or near a tonsil bed.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for bilateral treatment of a patient having a head with a first ear and a second ear function by aligning a first device with a target tissue of the first ear; aligning a second device with a target tissue of the second ear; and therapeutically remodeling, with synchronization, the target tissues of the first and second ear with the first and second aligned devices, respectively.
Abstract:
A balloon catheter device (1400) for delivering a substance to an ostium of a paranasal sinus of a human or animal subject, said device comprising: a catheter shaft (1402) having a balloon inflation lumen; a balloon (1404) attached to the catheter shaft (1402) and in fluid communication with said balloon inflation lumen (1410); and characterized in that said device further comprises a porous outer sheath (1406) attached to the catheter shaft (1402) and surrounding the balloon, an agent delivery lumen (1412) in said catheter shaft (1402) in fluid communication with a region between the balloon (1404) and the porous sheath (1406), the balloon being inflatable for compressing the porous outer sheath (1406) against tissue within said paranasal ostium whereby a therapeutically effective amount of the substance introduced through said agent delivery lumen can pass through the porous outer sheath and into contact with the paranasal ostium.
Abstract:
A method is disclosed for clearing effusion from an ear. The method may include applying a liquid to an ear canal, which is proximal to a perforated tympanic membrane, which is proxmial to a middle ear containing effusion, applying an ear device to seal and pressurize the liquid inside the ear canal, the ear device regulating the amount of pressure inside the ear canal, and inducing a Eustachian tube, which is distal to the middle ear, to open, which causes the fluid to displace the effusion into the Eustachian tube.
Abstract:
A spacer for delivery into the natural or man-made openings to the frontal, maxillary, sphenoid, anterior or posterior ethmoid sinuses, or other cells or cavities, anatomical regions such as nostrils, nasal cavities, nasal meatus, and other passageways such as the Eustachian tubes, naso-lachrymal ducts or airway is described. The bioabsorbable polymeric spacers maintain the opening and/or are useful for delivering drugs or other substances to the natural or man-made openings.