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

Claim 19:
20. A method of using an apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
(a) a shaft assembly, the shaft assembly being configured to fit in a nasal cavity of a patient, the shaft assembly being configured to form a bend and to 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 assembly, the balloon including a distal end and proximal end secured to the shaft assembly, 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, the shaft assembly including a distal tip positioned distal to the distal end of the balloon; and
(c) a position sensor disposed on the shaft assembly, the position sensor being located within the balloon or distal to the balloon, the position sensor being operable to generate a signal indicating a position of the distal end of the shaft assembly within the nasal cavity of the patient;, the method comprising:
(a) inserting the shaft assembly 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.