Patent ID: 8961495
Filing Date: 2015-02-24
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method for dilating a Eustachian tube in a human or animal subject, said method comprising the steps of: A) providing a guidewire that is insertable through the nose and is advanceable into the Eustachian tube through the pharyngeal ostium of the Eustachian tube, an anchor coupled with the guidewire, a dilator that is advanceable over the guidewire and useable to dilate the Eustachian tube; B) inserting the guidewire through the pharyngeal ostium and into the Eustachian tube proximal of the middle ear; C) expanding the anchor from a first configuration to a second configuration to anchor the guidewire within the Eustachian tube; D) advancing the dilator over the guidewire and into the Eustachian tube such that the dilator is positioned proximal to the anchor of the guidewire; and E) using the dilator to dilate the Eustachian tube while the dilator is positioned proximal to the anchor of the guidewire.