Patent ID: 8945088
Filing Date: 2015-02-03
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method for diagnosing and/or treating sinusitis or another disorder affecting the nose, paranasal sinuses or other anatomical structures of the ear, nose or throat, said method comprising the steps of: A) providing a working device comprising: B) advancing the working device in a nasal cavity while the working device is flexible so that the distal end of the working device is in the vicinity of an opening of a paranasal sinus; C) actuating the at least one tension member, wherein actuating the at least one tension member causes the actuating of the plurality of external controllably stiffening elements such that the plurality of external controllably stiffening elements increase the stiffness of the at least one flexible element in response to the act of actuating the at least one tension member; and D) performing a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure using the working device while the at least one flexible element is increased in stiffness.