Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the ear nose and throat
AssigneeAcclarent, Inc.
InventorsJoshua Makower, John Y. Chang, Ketan P. Muni, John H. Morriss, Hung V. Ha, Isaac J. Kim, Julia D. Vrany
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, including methods and apparatus for dilating ostia, passageways and other anatomical structures, endoscopic methods and apparatus for endoscopic visualization of structures within the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, navigation devices for use in conjunction with image guidance or navigation system and hand held devices having pistol type grips and other handpieces.
Claims20
A method of using an instrument, the method comprising:
- (a) coupling the instrument with a navigation adapter, wherein the navigation adapter includes an opening configured to receive a portion of the instrument therethrough, wherein the navigation adapter further includes a navigation element configured for detection by a navigation system;
- (b) inserting the instrument in a patient, such that the navigation element is positioned external to the patient and a distal portion of the instrument is positioned in a passageway in an ear, nose, or throat of the patient;
- (c) operating a navigation system to determine a position of the navigation element, wherein the position of the navigation element is indicative of a position of the instrument in the patient;
- and
- (d) tracking movement of the instrument in the patient based on the position of the navigation element as determined by the navigation system.
A method of using an instrument, the method comprising:
- (a) coupling an instrument with a navigation adapter, wherein the navigation adapter includes a coupling feature configured to receive a portion of the instrument, wherein the navigation adapter includes a navigation element configured for detection by an electromagnetic navigation system;
- (b) inserting a distal portion of the instrument into the patient, wherein the instrument further includes a proximal portion located external to the patient after the distal portion is inserted in the patient;
- (c) operating the electromagnetic navigation system to observe the navigation element located on the proximal portion of the instrument that is located external to the patient, wherein a position of the navigation element is indicative of a position of the distal portion in the patient;
- and
- (d) operating the distal portion of the instrument such that the distal portion is positioned in a targeted anatomical passageway.
A method comprising:
- (a) coupling an instrument with a navigation adapter, wherein the navigation adapter is configured to removably couple with a portion of the instrument, wherein the navigation adapter is configured to receive a portion of the instrument therethrough, wherein the navigation adapter includes a navigation element configured for detection by an electromagnetic navigation system;
- (b) inserting a distal portion of the dilation instrument into the patient such that a navigation element of the dilation instrument is positioned external to the patient;
- (c) activating the electromagnetic navigation system to locate a position of the navigation element external of the patient and a position of the distal portion in an anatomical structure;
- (d) moving the expandable member within the patient toward the anatomical structure;
- and
- (e) observing the movement of the distal portion in the patient with the electromagnetic navigation system based on the position of the navigation element relative to the distal portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.