# US 2016/0354587 A1 · Devices and methods for dilating tissues > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0354587 A1 - Document ID: US20160354587A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/240,963 - Filed: 2016-08-18 - Published: 2016-12-08 - Earliest claimed: 2009-01-23 - Assignees: Intersect ENT, Inc. - Applicants: Intersect Ent, Inc. - Inventors: Anthony J. ABBATE; Gail M. ZALER; Richard E. KAUFMAN; David C. GALE; Bin HUANG; Susan P. STIMSON - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160354587A1 ## CPC - A61M 29/02: Dilators made of swellable material {(balloon catheters for angioplasty A61M25/104)} - A61B 17/0206: {with antagonistic arms as supports for retractor elements} - A61B 17/0218: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)} - A61B 17/3468: {for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires (devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069)} - A61B 17/0293: {with ring member to support retractor elements} - A61M 2205/04: implanted - A61M 2210/0618: Nose - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Described here are devices and methods for dilating tissues. In other variations, the dilatation device comprises a slotted or expandable tube that may expand to dilate tissue. In still other variations, the dilatation device comprises two or more hinged or movable plate members that separate to dilate tissue. In yet other variations, the dilation device may comprise one or more flexible members. One or more portions of the dilatation device may be detachable from the device in the body, and dilatation device may release one or more implants into the body. In some of these variations, the dilatation device may additionally be used to expand one or more implants or other devices within the body. In some variations the dilatation device may release one or more substances that may hold dilated tissue in a dilated configuration. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-13. (canceled) ### Claim at position 2 14: A method for dilating tissue comprising: introducing a dilatation device into a nostril of a patient; advancing the dilatation device to a target tissue site, the dilatation device comprising a handle and a plate assembly attached to the handle, wherein the plate assembly has a low-profile configuration and an expanded configuration, and comprises a first plate member, a second plate member, and an arm connecting the first and second plate members; separating the first and second plate members to transition the plate assembly from a low-profile configuration to an expanded configuration; and dilating the target tissue site with the plate assembly in its expanded configuration. ### Claim at position 3 (depends on 14) 15: The method of claim 14, wherein advancing the dilatation device occurs under direct visualization. ### Claim at position 4 (depends on 14) 16: The method of claim 14, wherein advancing the dilatation device occurs under indirect visualization. ### Claim at position 5 (depends on 14) 17: The method of claim 14, wherein the target tissue site comprises a nasal opening, a nasal cavity, a paranasal sinus ostium, a paranasal sinus cavity, or a combination thereof. ### Claim at position 6 (depends on 14) 18: The method of claim 14, wherein the target tissue site comprises a paranasal sinus ostium. ### Claim at position 7 (depends on 14) 19: The method of claim 14, wherein the target tissue site comprises a naturally occurring anatomical passageway, opening, or cavity. ### Claim at position 8 (depends on 14) 20: The method of claim 14, wherein the target tissue site comprises an artificially-created passageway, opening, or cavity. ### Claim at position 9 (depends on 14) 21: The method of claim 14, wherein separating the first and second plate members is accomplished by inflating a balloon therebetween. ### Claim at position 10 (depends on 14) 22: The method of claim 14, wherein the arm is connected to the first and second plate members by one or more hinges. ### Claim at position 11 (depends on 22) 23: The method of claim 22, wherein separating the first and second plate members is accomplished by rotating the arm at the one or more hinges. ### Claim at position 12 (depends on 14) 24: The method of claim 14, wherein the first plate member and the second plate member each comprise an expandable region and a constrained region. ### Claim at position 13 (depends on 24) 25: The method of claim 24, wherein separation of the first and second plate members occurs at the expandable regions thereof. ### Claim at position 14 (depends on 24) 26: The method of claim 24, wherein the constrained region comprises at least one constraining rivet configured to secure the first plate member to the second plate member and prevent expansion of the first plate member away from the second plate member. ### Claim at position 15 (depends on 24) 27: The method of claim 24, wherein the expandable region is disposed at a distal end of the first and second plate members. ### Claim at position 16 (depends on 24) 28: The method of claim 24, wherein the constrained region is disposed at a distal end of the first and second plate members. ### Claim at position 17 (depends on 14) 29: The method of claim 14, further comprising rotating the plate assembly with respect to the handle to dilate the target tissue site in a different tissue plane. ### Claim at position 18 (depends on 14) 30: The method of claim 14, further comprising releasing one or more implants from the dilatation device at the target tissue site. ### Claim at position 19 (depends on 30) 31: The method of claim 30, wherein the one or more implants delivers a drug to the target tissue site. ### Claim at position 20 (depends on 31) 32: The method of claim 31, wherein the drug comprises an anti-inflammatory agent, an anti-cholinergic agent, an antihistamine, an anti-infective agent, a decongestant, and combinations and mixtures thereof. ### Claim at position 21 (depends on 32) 33: The method of claim 32, wherein the drug comprises an anti-inflammatory agent. ### Claim at position 22 (depends on 33) 34: The method of claim 33, wherein the anti-inflammatory agent comprises mometasone furoate. ### Claim at position 23 (depends on 14) 35: The method of claim 14, further comprising collapsing the plate assembly to its low profile configuration to reposition the dilatation device or to remove the dilatation device from the patient.