Patent ID: 8585729
Filing Date: 2013-11-19
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method of dilating tissue of a sinus drainage pathway in a patient, comprising: directing a distal tip of a wire guide through a nasal passage and into a first test position within the sinus system of the patient, wherein the wire guide extends through a guide catheter and wherein a proximal end of the guide catheter is removably secured to a distal end of a handle and the wire guide extends through a steering device, and wherein the handle defines a recess that opens along a longitudinal length of a side surface of the handle, and wherein advancing the wire guide includes sliding the steering device distally along the recess of the handle in a direction parallel to a major longitudinal axis of the handle, and wherein directing the distal tip of the wire guide includes rotating the wire guide relative to the handle by rotating the steering device and wherein the steering device is configured to allow rotation of the wire guide through complete revolutions; emitting light at or adjacent the distal tip of the wire guide at the first test position; externally viewing the light through skin of the patient to confirm whether the first test position and the distal tip of the wire guide is within a desired cavity of the sinus system; repositioning the distal tip of the wire guide to a second test position if externally viewing the light does not confirm that the first test positions is within the desired cavity; directing a distal portion of a balloon catheter out the distal end of the guide catheter and into the desired location within a drainage pathway of the desired cavity, wherein the distal portion of the balloon catheter includes an inflatable balloon; and inflating the balloon to dilate tissue of the sinus drainage pathway at the desired location.