Eustachian tube dilation balloon with ventilation path

A method of using a dilator assembly, the dilator assembly comprising:

• (a) a shaft defining a longitudinal axis, wherein the shaft comprises:
• (i) a distal end,
• (ii) a proximal end, and
• (iii) at least one shaft lumen;
• (b) an expandable dilator located on the at shaft, wherein the expandable dilator is positioned between the distal end of the shaft and the proximal end of the shaft, wherein the expandable dilator comprises a body configured to transition between a contracted state and an expanded state, wherein the body is configured to dilate a Eustachian tube of a patient in the expanded state, wherein the body further comprises a distal end and a proximal end;
• and
• (c) at least one ventilation pathway configured to provide ventilation from the distal end of the body to the proximal end of the body when the body is in the expanded state, wherein the at least one ventilation pathway comprises one or both of the following:
• (i) a set of transversely oriented vent openings formed through the shaft, wherein at least one vent opening is distal to the distal end of the body and at least one other vent opening is proximal to the proximal end of the body, or
• (ii) a space defined by one or more radially outwardly protruding features of the expandable dilator,
• the method comprising:
• (a) inserting the expandable dilator into a Eustachian tube of a patient
• (b) expanding the expandable dilator to dilate the Eustachian tube, wherein the at least one ventilation pathway enables air to travel between the distal end of the body and the proximal end of the body through the at least one ventilation pathway while the expandable dilator dilates the Eustachian tube, thereby ventilating a distal portion of the Eustachian tube while dilating the Eustachian tube.