Patent ID: 11957318
Assignee: ACCLARENT, INC.
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 0:
1. A method of using an apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
(a) a shaft configured to fit in a nasal cavity of a patient, the shaft being configured to form a bend and maintain a selected bend angle at the bend while being inserted into the nasal cavity;
(b) a balloon positioned at a distal end of the shaft, the balloon defining a distal end and a proximal end along the shaft, the balloon being configured to transition between a non-inflated state and an inflated state, the balloon in the non-inflated state being configured to fit in a passageway associated with a nasal sinus cavity, the balloon in the inflated state being configured to dilate the passageway associated with the nasal sinus cavity; and
(c) a first position sensor positioned within the balloon, the first position sensor being operable for generating a signal indicating a position of the balloon within the nasal cavity of the patient;, the method comprising:
(a) inserting the shaft into the nasal cavity while the balloon is in the non-inflated state;
(b) positioning the balloon in the passageway associated with the nasal sinus cavity; and
(c) transitioning the balloon from the non-inflated state to the inflated state, such that the balloon in the inflated state dilates the passageway associated with the nasal sinus cavity.