Transnasal method and catheter for lacrimal system

A balloon catheter for dilating a prepared opening in a lateral nasal wall separating a patient's lacrimal sac and the patient's nasal cavity, comprising:

• a tubular catheter body having a proximal end, a proximal segment, a distal end, and a distal segment;
• an inflatable member disposed about said distal segment, said distal segment having a slot;
• said catheter body being closed at a point that is closer to said distal end that is said slot;
• means for applying fluid under pressure to said proximal end of said catheter body, said fluid under pressure flowing through said slot to inflate said inflatable member for dilating said prepared opening;
• and
• said distal segment having a rounded bend placing said distal segment at an angle of 70° to 115° to said proximal segment.

A method forming a relatively large opening in a lateral nasal wall separating a patient's lacrimal sac and nasal cavity, comprising:

• providing a balloon catheter having a tubular catheter body formed with a proximal segment, a bend, and a distal segment at an angle of 70° to 115° with said proximal segment, an inflatable member mounted around said distal segment, a slot through a wall of said distal segment within said inflatable member, said tubular catheter body being closed at a point distally of said slot, and means for providing fluid under pressure at the proximal end of said tubular catheter body to inflate said inflatable member;
• forming a small, tight prepared opening through the patient's medial sac wall and lacrimal fossa, and said lateral nasal wall with one or more surgical tools, said opening being of such size that it will snugly receive said distal segment with said inflatable member deflated;
• pushing said distal segment of said catheter body into said prepared opening with said inflatable member deflated;
• and
• introducing said fluid under pressure through said proximal end of said catheter body and said slot to inflate said inflatable body and dilate said prepared opening.

A method forming a relatively large opening in a lateral nasal wall separating a patient's lacrimal sac and nasal cavity, comprising:

• providing a balloon catheter having a tubular catheter body formed with a proximal segment and a distal segment, an inflatable member mounted around said distal segment, a slot through a wall of said distal segment within said inflatable member, said tubular catheter body being closed at a point distally of said slot, and means for providing fluid under pressure at the proximal end of said tubular catheter body to inflate said inflatable member, said catheter body being formed of a hypotube of sufficient stiffness and column strength to enable said catheter, when said inflatable member is deflated, to be pushed from said nasal cavity through a small, tight prepared opening into said lacrimal sac;
• forming a prepared opening through said lateral nasal wall with one or more surgical tools, said opening being of such size that it will snugly receive said distal segment with said inflatable member deflated;
• pushing said distal segment of said catheter body into said prepared opening with said inflatable member deflated;
• and
• introducing said fluid under pressure through said proximal end of said catheter body and said slot to inflate said inflatable body and dilate said prepared opening.