Patent Description:
In the context of Eustachian tube dilation, a dilation catheter or other dilation instrument may be inserted into the Eustachian tube and then be inflated or otherwise expanded to thereby dilate the Eustachian tube. The dilated Eustachian tube may provide improved ventilation from the nasopharynx to the middle ear and further provide improved drainage from the middle ear to the nasopharynx. Methods and devices for dilating the Eustachian tube are disclosed in <CIT>; and <CIT>. An example of such a system is the Aera® Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation System by Acclarent, Inc. of Irvine, California.

While a variable direction view endoscope may be used to provide visualization within the anatomical passageway, it may also be desirable to provide additional visual confirmation of the proper positioning of the balloon before inflating the balloon. This may be done using an illuminating guidewire. Such a guidewire may be positioned within the target area and then illuminated, with light projecting from the distal end of the guidewire. This light may illuminate the adjacent tissue (e.g., hypodermis, subdermis, etc.) and thus be visible to the naked eye from outside the patient through transcutaneous illumination. For instance, when the distal end is positioned in the maxillary sinus, the light may be visible through the patient's cheek. Using such external visualization to confirm the position of the guidewire, the balloon may then be advanced distally along the guidewire into position at the dilation site. Such an illuminating guidewire may be provided in accordance with the teachings of <CIT>. An example of such an illuminating guidewire is the Relieva Luma Sentry® Sinus Illumination System by Acclarent, Inc. of Irvine, California.

Image-guided surgery (IGS) is a technique where a computer is used to obtain a real-time correlation of the location of an instrument that has been inserted into a patient's body to a set of preoperatively obtained images (e.g., a CT or MRI scan, <NUM>-D map, etc.), such that the computer system may superimpose the current location of the instrument on the preoperatively obtained images. An example of an electromagnetic IGS navigation systems that may be used in IGS procedures is the CARTO® <NUM> System by Biosense-Webster, Inc. , of Irvine, California. In some IGS procedures, a digital tomographic scan (e.g., CT or MRI, <NUM>-D map, etc.) of the operative field is obtained prior to surgery. A specially programmed computer is then used to convert the digital tomographic scan data into a digital map. During surgery, special instruments having sensors (e.g., electromagnetic coils that emit electromagnetic fields and/or are responsive to externally generated electromagnetic fields) are used to perform the procedure while the sensors send data to the computer indicating the current position of each surgical instrument. The computer correlates the data it receives from the sensors with the digital map that was created from the preoperative tomographic scan. The tomographic scan images are displayed on a video monitor along with an indicator (e.g., crosshairs or an illuminated dot, etc.) showing the real-time position of each surgical instrument relative to the anatomical structures shown in the scan images. The surgeon is thus able to know the precise position of each sensor-equipped instrument by viewing the video monitor even if the surgeon is unable to directly visualize the instrument itself at its current location within the body.

An example of an electromagnetic IGS systems that may be used in ENT and sinus surgery is the CARTO® <NUM> System by Biosense-Webster, Inc. , of Irvine, California. When applied to functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), balloon sinuplasty, and/or other ENT procedures, the use of IGS systems allows the surgeon to achieve more precise movement and positioning of the surgical instruments than can be achieved by viewing through an endoscope alone. As a result, IGS systems may be particularly useful during performance of FESS, balloon sinuplasty, and/or other ENT procedures where anatomical landmarks are not present or are difficult to visualize endoscopically. Examples of use of an IGS system in an ENT procedure are described in <CIT>; and <CIT> and published as <CIT>.

It may be desirable to provide easily controlled placement of a balloon of a dilation catheter in an anatomical passageway, including in procedures that will be performed only by a single operator. While several systems and methods have been made and used to position a balloon of a dilation catheter in an anatomical passageway, it is believed that no one prior to the inventors has made or used the invention described in the appended claims.

<CIT> describes an endoscope with an enlargeable tail end. The endoscope comprises an insertion part and an endoscope main body, wherein the insertion party comprises a shell, a working tract, a camera and a wire band; the working tract, the camera and the wire band are located in the shell; one end of the wire band is connected with the camera, and the other end of the wire band is connected with the endoscope main body after penetrating the shell; the camera is arranged at the tail end in the shell; a gap is formed at the tail end of the shell so that the working tract or the camera can extend out or retract from the gap; when the working tract or the camera extends out the gap, the working tract and the camera are in a parallel state. The endoscope with the enlargeable tail end can realize the enlarging and retracting of the tail end of the endoscope; the tail end of the endoscope is enlarged after passing through a narrow human body tract so that the working tract or the camera can extend out; the working tract and the camera are located at the parallel positions, so that the inner diameter of the working tract is obviously increased, the working tract can pass through more instruments to take out larger foreign matters.

While the scope of the invention is defined by the append claims, it is believed the present invention will be better understood from the following description of certain examples taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify the same elements and in which:.

The invention is defined by independent claim <NUM>, with further embodiments defined by the dependent claims. The following description of certain examples of the disclosure should not be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

It will be appreciated that the terms "proximal" and "distal" are used herein with reference to a clinician gripping a handpiece assembly. Thus, an end effector is distal with respect to the more proximal handpiece assembly. It will be further appreciated that, for convenience and clarity, spatial terms are also are used herein. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting and absolute.

It is further understood that any one or more of the teachings, expressions, versions, examples, etc. described herein may be combined with any one or more of the other teachings, expressions, versions, examples, etc. that are described herein. The following-described teachings, expressions, versions, examples, etc. should therefore not be viewed in isolation relative to each other. As long as such modifications and variations remain a within the scope of the claims, which define the scope of the invention.

<FIG> show an exemplary dilation instrument (<NUM>) that may be used to dilate the ostium of a paranasal sinus, to dilate another passageway associated with drainage of a paranasal sinus, to dilate a Eustachian tube, or to dilate some other anatomical passageway (e.g., within the ear, nose, or throat, etc.). As will be described in greater detail below, dilation instrument (<NUM>) of the present example provides adjustability that enables the operator to use dilation instrument (<NUM>) in different scenarios, without requiring the operator to switch between different instruments. For instance, dilation instrument (<NUM>) may be used to dilate various different anatomical passageways (e.g., frontal sinus ostium, frontal recess, maxillary sinus ostium, sphenoid sinus ostium, ethmoid sinus ostium, Eustachian tube, etc.) by making simple adjustments to structural features of the instrument.

Dilation instrument (<NUM>) of this example includes a handle assembly (<NUM>), a guide shaft assembly (<NUM>) extending distally from handle assembly (<NUM>); a guidewire actuation assembly (<NUM>) slidably coupled with handle assembly (<NUM>); and a dilation catheter actuation assembly (<NUM>) slidably coupled with handle assembly (<NUM>). A guidewire module (<NUM>) is coupled with a guidewire (<NUM>) of dilation instrument (<NUM>) via a connector (<NUM>). An inflation fluid source (<NUM>) and an irrigation fluid source (<NUM>) are coupled with a dilation catheter (<NUM>) of dilation instrument (<NUM>) via a connector (<NUM>). A suction source (<NUM>) is coupled with a suction conduit (not shown) of dilation instrument (<NUM>) via a suction port (<NUM>).

Handle assembly (<NUM>) is sized and configured to be grasped and operated by a single hand of an operator. The operator may selectively operate guidewire actuation assembly (<NUM>) and dilation catheter actuation assembly (<NUM>) with the same single hand that grasps handle assembly (<NUM>). As shown in the transition from <FIG>, the operator may advance guidewire actuation assembly (<NUM>) distally along handle assembly (<NUM>) to thereby advance guidewire (<NUM>) distally, such that a distal end (<NUM>) of guidewire (<NUM>) is positioned distal to a distal guide end (<NUM>) of guide shaft assembly (<NUM>). As shown in the transition from <FIG>, the operator may advance dilation catheter actuation assembly (<NUM>) distally along handle assembly (<NUM>) to thereby advance dilation catheter (<NUM>) distally, such that a distal tip of dilation catheter (<NUM>) is positioned distal to the distal end of guide shaft assembly (<NUM>). With dilation catheter (<NUM>) advanced to a distal position, the operator may then inflate a dilator (<NUM>) of dilation catheter (<NUM>) to achieve an expanded state as shown in <FIG>, to thereby dilate an anatomical passageway in which dilator (<NUM>) is positioned.

In the present example, dilation catheter (<NUM>) is coaxially disposed within guide shaft assembly (<NUM>), and guidewire (<NUM>) is coaxially disposed within dilation catheter (<NUM>). In some other versions, guide shaft assembly (<NUM>) is coaxially disposed within dilation catheter (<NUM>), and guidewire (<NUM>) is coaxially disposed within guide shaft assembly (<NUM>). Also in some versions, guidewire (<NUM>) is omitted.

Examples of features and functionalities of the above-noted components of dilation instrument (<NUM>) are described in greater detail below. These features and functionalities are merely illustrative examples. By way of further example only, the features and functionalities described herein may be modified in accordance with the teachings of <CIT> and published as <CIT> as well as <CIT> and published as <CIT>. Other variations of the features and functionalities described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein.

<FIG> shows guide shaft assembly (<NUM>) of this example has a guide clearance shaft (<NUM>) including a rigid shaft member (<NUM>) and a flexible shaft member (<NUM>) distally extending to distal guide end (<NUM>). Guide shaft assembly (<NUM>) further includes a push-pull wire (not shown), a cam barrel (<NUM>) (see <FIG>), and a deflection control knob (<NUM>) (see <FIG>). Shaft members (<NUM>, <NUM>), cam barrel (<NUM>) (see <FIG>), and deflection control knob (<NUM>) (see <FIG>) are coaxially aligned with each other in this example, with push-pull wire (not shown) being laterally offset from the central longitudinal axis shared by shaft members (<NUM>, <NUM>), cam barrel (<NUM>) (see <FIG>), and deflection control knob (<NUM>) (see <FIG>). Guide shaft assembly (<NUM>) is operable to guide guidewire (<NUM>) and dilation catheter (<NUM>) along an operator-selected exit angle relative to the central longitudinal axis of guide shaft assembly (<NUM>).

In some versions, both shaft members (<NUM>, <NUM>) are formed of a metallic material, such as stainless steel and/or nitinol. In some such versions, shaft members (<NUM>, <NUM>) (and at least some other portions of instrument (<NUM>)) may be reusable, with such reusable components being subject to cleaning and sterilization between uses on different patients. In some other versions, one or both of shaft members (<NUM>, <NUM>) may be formed of a polymeric material. In some such versions, shaft members (<NUM>, <NUM>) may be treated as single-use-only components. Flexible shaft member (<NUM>) is secured to rigid shaft member (<NUM>) and is positioned distally in relation to rigid shaft member (<NUM>). Flexible shaft member (<NUM>) includes a flex section (<NUM>) that is formed by a series of ribs (<NUM>), which are separated by a series of notches (<NUM>). Notches (<NUM>) are generally V-shaped, with a circular opening at the vertex of each "V. " Notches (<NUM>) also include tab portions (<NUM>) (see <FIG>) that respectively fit in a plurality of corresponding sub-notches (<NUM>) (see <FIG>). Thereby, flex section (<NUM>) is configured to distally and linearly extend in a straight configuration as well as arcuately deflect to a fully bent configuration as selectively directed via push-pull wire (not shown) in shaft members (<NUM>, <NUM>) to provide controlled bending of flex section (<NUM>).

With respect to <FIG>, guide clearance shaft (<NUM>) of the present example includes flexible shaft member (<NUM>) having a guide sidewall (<NUM>) surrounding a central axis (<NUM>) and defining a guide lumen (<NUM>), distal guide end (<NUM>), and a clearance opening (<NUM>) extending through guide sidewall (<NUM>) in communication with guide lumen (<NUM>). Clearance opening (<NUM>) is configured to receive a surgical instrument therethrough such that at least a portion of the surgical instrument vacates guide lumen (<NUM>) to concurrently accommodate another surgical instrument passing thereby. More particularly, clearance opening (<NUM>) is configured to receive a distal head (<NUM>) of an endoscope (<NUM>) while dilation catheter (<NUM>) passes radially alongside distal head (<NUM>) when longitudinally aligned with distal head (<NUM>). While endoscope (<NUM>) is shown in the present example, any such surgical tool having a relatively large distal portion sized to fit through clearance opening (<NUM>) and a relatively smaller proximal portion may be similarly used. To this end, the disclosure is not intended to be unnecessarily limited to the particular endoscope (<NUM>) shown in the present example.

As shown in the present example, distal head (<NUM>) of endoscope (<NUM>) distally extends to a distal end face (<NUM>) having a co-axially positioned camera (<NUM>) positioned thereon. In addition, a suction opening (<NUM>) of a suction conduit (not shown) is positioned on distal end face (<NUM>) at one side lateral of camera (<NUM>), whereas an irrigation opening (<NUM>) of an irrigation conduit (not shown) is positioned on distal end face (<NUM>) at another, opposite lateral side of camera (<NUM>). Suction opening (<NUM>) and irrigation opening (<NUM>) are each generally crescent shape and collectively have a generally annular shape surrounding camera (<NUM>), although each are fluidly sealed from each other. An annular light source (<NUM>) surrounds camera (<NUM>) and suction and irrigation openings (<NUM>, <NUM>) at a fillet edge around distal end face (<NUM>).

An elongate endoscope body (<NUM>) proximally extends from distal head (<NUM>) and includes suction and irrigation conduits (not shown) proximally extending therethrough as well as various wires (not shown) communicating power and/or data with light source (<NUM>) and camera (<NUM>). Elongate endoscope body (<NUM>) of the present example has a sidewall that envelops suction and irrigation conduits (not shown) and wires (not shown) such that neither suction and irrigation conduits (not shown) nor wires (not shown) are exposed within guide lumen (<NUM>). In another example, an alternative endoscope body (not shown) does not include the sidewall. Rather, suction and irrigation conduits (not shown) as well as wires (not shown) of elongate endoscope body (not shown) proximally extend from distal head (<NUM>) through guide lumen (<NUM>) while exposed in guide lumen (<NUM>). The disclosure is thus not intended to be unnecessarily limited to the particular elongate endoscope body (<NUM>) with sidewall as shown and described herein.

Distal head (<NUM>) is configured to pivot relative to elongate endoscope body (<NUM>) from a distal facing use position as shown in <FIG> to a deflected position as shown in <FIG>. More particularly, distal head (<NUM>) is pivotally and resiliently secured to guide clearance shaft (<NUM>) adjacent to and longitudinally aligned with clearance opening (<NUM>) such that clearance opening (<NUM>) receives distal head (<NUM>) as distal head vacates guide lumen (<NUM>) and moves from the distal facing use position to the deflected position. As used herein in the present example, the term "distal facing use position" refers to camera (<NUM>) on distal end face (<NUM>) being generally transverse to central axis (<NUM>) and facing in a distal direction for use viewing an anatomy of the patient directly distal from distal guide end (<NUM>). In contrast, the term "deflected position" in the present position refers to camera (<NUM>) on distal end face (<NUM>) not being transverse with central axis (<NUM>) and facing another direction that is not directly distal from distal guide end (<NUM>). Such particular orientations of camera (<NUM>) for use and as deflected may vary in alternative examples, and the disclosure is not intended to be unnecessarily limited to the particular distal facing use position and deflected position of the present example.

In addition, distal head (<NUM>) is secured at a longitudinal position distal from flex section (<NUM>) and diametrically opposed from notches (<NUM>) and push-pull wire (not shown). Distal head (<NUM>) thus laterally deflects along with a remainder of guide sidewall (<NUM>) distal of flex section (<NUM>), including distal guide end (<NUM>). Distal head (<NUM>) remains longitudinally fixed relative to distal guide end (<NUM>) from the straight configuration throughout arcuate deflections to the fully bent configuration. To accommodate travel of distal head (<NUM>) throughout these various configurations, elongate endoscope body (<NUM>) with suction and irrigation conduits (not shown) and wires (not shown) translates back and forth through guide lumen (<NUM>) following with distal head (<NUM>). For example, from the straight configuration toward the fully bent configurations, elongate endoscope body (<NUM>) with suction and irrigation conduits (not shown) and wires (not shown) distally translates to remain connected to distal head (<NUM>) for further use.

Distal guide end (<NUM>) defines an outer profile surrounding central axis (<NUM>). In the distal facing use position, distal head (<NUM>) is radially contained within the outer profile. In contrast, distal head (<NUM>) in the deflected position radially extends beyond the outer profile of distal guide end (<NUM>) as shown in <FIG> in order to accommodate another surgical tool, such as dilation catheter (<NUM>) passing through guide lumen (<NUM>). To this end, dilation catheter (<NUM>) has dilator (<NUM>) and an elongate catheter body (<NUM>) proximally extending from dilator (<NUM>). Like endoscope (<NUM>), dilation catheter (<NUM>) has a relatively large distal portion, such as dilator (<NUM>), and a relatively smaller proximal portion, such as elongate catheter body (<NUM>) (see <FIG>). As discussed below in greater detail, dilator (<NUM>) is sized to radially fit alongside elongate endoscope body (<NUM>) within guide lumen (<NUM>), but does not radially fit alongside distal head (<NUM>) of endoscope (<NUM>) within guide lumen (<NUM>) unless distal head (<NUM>) at least partially vacates guide lumen (<NUM>) to accommodate dilator (<NUM>).

With respect to <FIG>, distally translating dilator (<NUM>) against a proximal portion of distal head (<NUM>) urges distal head (<NUM>) to pivot from the distal facing use position to the deflected position. Distal head (<NUM>) thus vacates a sufficient amount of guide lumen (<NUM>) through clearance opening (<NUM>) to allow dilator (<NUM>) to radially pass against distal head (<NUM>) toward a distal position for use. Once dilator (<NUM>) longitudinally passes beyond distal head (<NUM>), distal head (<NUM>) resiliently returns from the deflected position to the distal facing use position such that the operator may view dilator (<NUM>) during use within the patient. In the present example, clearance opening (<NUM>) distally extends through guide sidewall (<NUM>) to distal guide end (<NUM>) to accommodate pivotal movement of distal end face (<NUM>), which is shown as coplanar with distal guide end (<NUM>). Alternatively, distal end face (<NUM>) may be more proximally positioned from distal guide end (<NUM>). In another example, clearance opening (<NUM>) may similarly be more proximally positioned from distal guide end (<NUM>). The disclosure is thus not intended to be unnecessarily limited to one or both of distal end face (<NUM>) of distal head (<NUM>) or a distal terminal end of clearance opening (<NUM>) being in longitudinal alignment with distal guide end (<NUM>).

<FIG> show one example of endoscope (<NUM>) and dilation catheter (<NUM>) having various diameters longitudinally positioned therealong and configured to cooperate with clearance opening (<NUM>) in order to translate dilator (<NUM>) passed distal head (<NUM>). More particularly, distal head (<NUM>) of endoscope (<NUM>) defines a head diameter transverse to central axis (<NUM>) and elongate endoscope body (<NUM>) defines an endoscope body diameter transverse to central axis (<NUM>) and smaller than head diameter. Similarly, dilator (<NUM>) of dilation catheter (<NUM>) defines a dilator diameter transverse to central axis (<NUM>) and elongate catheter body (<NUM>) defines a catheter body diameter transverse to central axis (<NUM>) and smaller than dilator diameter. Guide lumen (<NUM>) is sized to have a lumen diameter transverse to central axis (<NUM>) generally larger than a collective sum of endoscope body diameter and dilator diameter such that dilator (<NUM>) selectively translates alongside elongate endoscope body (<NUM>) within guide lumen (<NUM>) during use. In contrast, a collective sum of dilator diameter and head diameter is larger than guide lumen (<NUM>). Dilator (<NUM>) thus urges distal head (<NUM>) to vacate guide lumen (<NUM>) through clearance opening (<NUM>) when longitudinally aligned therewith to accommodate move of dilation catheter (<NUM>) while allowing the operator to distally view the anatomy of the patient directly distal of distal guide end (<NUM>) before and after distal placement of dilator (<NUM>).

In use, with respect to <FIG>, the operator distally slides dilation catheter (<NUM>) radially alongside elongate endoscope body (<NUM>) until engaging the proximal portion of distal head (<NUM>) in the distal facing use position. A distal portion of dilator (<NUM>), in turn, urges distal head (<NUM>) to pivot relative to elongate endoscope body (<NUM>) into clearance opening (<NUM>) from the distal facing use position to the deflected position, thereby at least partially vacating guide lumen (<NUM>). Dilator (<NUM>) continues to distally translate as shown in <FIG>, sliding by distal head (<NUM>) while continuing to urge distal head (<NUM>) in the deflected position away from central axis (<NUM>). As a remaining proximal portion of dilator (<NUM>) distally slides by distal head (<NUM>), dilator (<NUM>) releases distal head (<NUM>) such that distal head (<NUM>) resiliently returns from the deflected position to the distal facing use position of <FIG>. The operator may thus continue viewing the anatomy and dilator (<NUM>) directly distal of distal guide end (<NUM>) for dilating the anatomy as desired. Once dilation is complete, the operator by proximally reverse dilator (<NUM>) to again pivot distal head (<NUM>) back and forth through distal facing use and deflected positions to withdrawn dilation catheter (<NUM>) back into guide clearance shaft (<NUM>). In some versions, the distal and/or proximal end of distal head (<NUM>) includes a chamfered surface to promote smooth lateral deflection of distal head (<NUM>) as dilator (<NUM>) engages distal head (<NUM>) during distal and proximal translation of dilator (<NUM>).

<FIG> show guide clearance shaft (<NUM>) having a second exemplary endoscope (<NUM>) positioned within guide lumen (<NUM>). As shown in the present example, a distal head (<NUM>) of endoscope (<NUM>) distally extends to a distal end face (<NUM>) having a coaxially positioned camera (<NUM>) positioned thereon. In addition, a pair of suction openings (<NUM>) of respective suction conduits (<NUM>) are positioned on distal end face (<NUM>) at one side lateral of camera (<NUM>) as well as an opposite lateral side of camera (<NUM>). An annular light source (<NUM>) surrounds camera (<NUM>) at a fillet edge around distal end face (<NUM>). Light source (<NUM>) is more particularly a light emitting diode in the present example.

An elongate endoscope body (<NUM>) is flexible and proximally extends from distal head (<NUM>) and includes suction conduits (<NUM>) and an irrigation conduit (<NUM>) proximally extending therethrough as well as various wires (not shown) communicating power and/or data with light source (<NUM>) and camera (<NUM>). A plurality of irrigation openings (<NUM>) of irrigation conduit (<NUM>) extend radially through an annular sidewall (<NUM>) of elongate endoscope body (<NUM>) to fluidly communicate with irrigation conduit (<NUM>) centrally and longitudinally extending through elongate endoscope body (<NUM>) along a central axis (<NUM>). In contrast, suction conduits (<NUM>) are positioned on laterally opposing sides of elongate endoscope body (<NUM>) and longitudinally extend through annular sidewall (<NUM>) to respective suction openings (<NUM>) on distal end face (<NUM>). Suction and irrigation conduits (<NUM>, <NUM>) are fluidly sealed from each other and configured to fluidly connect to suction and irrigation sources (<NUM>, <NUM>) (see <FIG>). In the present example, suction openings (<NUM>), suction conduits (<NUM>), irrigation openings (<NUM>), and irrigation conduit (<NUM>) are each machined into a unitary structure such that endoscope body (<NUM>) with annular sidewall (<NUM>) and distal head (<NUM>) are formed as a single, unitary structure having annular light source (<NUM>) and camera (<NUM>) attached thereto. In other examples, a plurality of components may be assembled into an alternative elongate endoscope body (not shown) with one or more of such suction openings (<NUM>), suction conduits (<NUM>), irrigation openings (<NUM>), or irrigation conduit (<NUM>) being assembled together. The disclosure is thus not intended to be unnecessarily limited to the particular, unitary structure of elongate endoscope body (<NUM>) as shown in the present example.

In the present example, not in accordance with the claimed invention, distal head (<NUM>) is relatively compact compared to distal head (<NUM>) (see <FIG>) and has the same diameter as elongate endoscope body (<NUM>), which is shown as the same diameter as elongate endoscope body (<NUM>) (see <FIG>) discussed above. Arranging suction and irrigation openings (<NUM>, <NUM>) as well as suction and irrigation conduits (<NUM>, <NUM>) as shown in <FIG> enables compactness of distal head (<NUM>) in order to longitudinally slide dilator (<NUM>) (see <FIG>) by distal head (<NUM>) without deflecting distal head (<NUM>). In other words, distal head (<NUM>) of endoscope (<NUM>) and dilator (<NUM>) (see <FIG>) may be positioned radially side-by-side in longitudinal alignment within guide lumen (<NUM>) without at least some portion of distal head (<NUM>) vacating guide lumen (<NUM>). While endoscope (<NUM>) is shown in the present example within guide clearance shaft (<NUM>), it will be appreciated that endoscope (<NUM>) may be used with any such dilation catheter, such as dilation catheter (<NUM>) (see <FIG>) discussed above, or any shaft assembly with or without clearance opening (<NUM>) (see <FIG>).

It should be understood that any of the examples described herein may include various other features in addition to or in lieu of those described above. By way of example only, any of the examples described herein may also include one or more of the various features disclosed in any of the various references herein.

As long as such modifications and variations remain within the scope of the claims.

Versions of the devices disclosed herein can be designed to be disposed of after a single use, or they can be designed to be used multiple times. In particular, versions of the device may be disassembled, and any number of the particular pieces or parts of the device may be selectively replaced or removed in any combination. Upon cleaning and/or replacement of particular parts, versions of the device may be reassembled for subsequent use either at a reconditioning facility, or by a surgical team immediately prior to a surgical procedure.

By way of example only, versions described herein may be processed before surgery. First, a new or used instrument may be obtained and if necessary cleaned. The instrument may then be sterilized. In one sterilization technique, the instrument is placed in a closed and sealed container, such as a plastic or TYVEK bag. The container and instrument may then be placed in a field of radiation that can penetrate the container, such as gamma radiation, x-rays, or high-energy electrons. The radiation may kill bacteria on the instrument and in the container. The sterilized instrument may then be stored in the sterile container. The sealed container may keep the instrument sterile until it is opened in a surgical facility.

Claim 1:
A surgical instrument, comprising:
(a) an instrument body;
(b) a guide shaft (<NUM>) distally projecting from the instrument body along a central axis, including:
(i) a guide sidewall (<NUM>) surrounding the central axis (<NUM>),
(ii) a guide lumen (<NUM>) defined by the guide sidewall, and
(iii) a clearance opening (<NUM>) radially extending through the guide sidewall in communication with the guide lumen; and
(c) an endoscope (<NUM>), including:
(i) an elongate body (<NUM>) at least partially positioned within the guide lumen, and
(ii) a distal head (<NUM>) extending from the elongate body proximate to the clearance opening, wherein the distal head is configured to deflect relative to the elongate body from a first position to a second position, wherein the distal head of the endoscope includes a camera; and
(d) a second surgical tool (<NUM>) slidably positioned within the guide lumen, the second surgical tool having an enlarged distal portion (<NUM>) and a narrowed proximal portion (<NUM>),
wherein the distal head in the first position is positioned within the guide lumen along the central axis,
wherein the distal head in the second position is deflected from the central axis and extends at least partially through the clearance opening thereby vacating at least a portion of the guide lumen for introducing the second surgical tool (<NUM>) through the guide lumen,
wherein the enlarged portion is configured to urge the distal head of the endoscope toward the second position upon longitudinal alignment therewith, and wherein the narrowed portion is configured concurrently be positioned alongside the distal head of the endoscope in the first position upon longitudinal alignment therewith.