Devices and Methods for Insertion and/or Pressurization of a Balloon Catheter for Balloon Dilation of the Eustachian Tube and Other Anatomical Passageways Accessible Through the Nostril of a Human

A handheld insertion device for balloon dilation of the Eustachian tube or any other anatomic passageway in the head of the person accessible through the nose of the person, the device comprising:

• a balloon catheter,
• a balloon catheter guiding tube for receiving and guiding the balloon catheter, the balloon catheter having a distal inflatable part to be advanced out from the distal end of the balloon catheter guiding tube and a proximal part being fluidically connectable to an internal or external inflation and pressurization device for inflation and pressurization of the balloon catheter, an actuator operably coupled to the proximal end of the balloon catheter and a device body rigidly connected to a proximal end of the guiding tube, at least a portion of the guiding tube that extends from the proximal end of the guiding tube towards the distal end of the guiding to being straight, the device body being shaped and sized to be held in the hand of an operator,
• the device body being provided with a substantially straight track that is configured for supporting and guiding part of the cylindrical shaft of a static or flexible endoscope, the straight track extending substantially parallel with the straight portion of the guiding tube, the straight track being configured to allow longitudinal displacement and rotation of the endoscope shaft relative to the device body and to limit lateral movement of the cylindrical shaft relative to the device body in all directions but one direction,
• wherein the device body and the straight track are configured such that a part of the hand of the operator holding the device can selectively apply pressure on the cylindrical shaft of the static or flexible endoscope to press the cylindrical shaft of the static or flexible endoscope against the straight track thereby selectively impeding longitudinal displacement and rotation of the cylindrical shaft of the static or flexible endoscope relative to the device body.

A system for inflating and pressurizing a balloon catheter, the system comprising:

• a balloon catheter,
• a syringe body having:
• a distal syringe barrel section with a distal opening for connection with the balloon catheter,
• a proximal thruster guide section, and external hand or finger engagement geometries,
• a plunger with a distal plunger head having a radial sealing element for sealing against in the inner surface of the syringe barrel and a plunger rod,
• a thruster having a proximal end with a finger or hand engagement portion,
• a thruster rod, and
• a spring element,
• wherein the plunger head of the plunger is inserted into the syringe barrel section of the syringe body and wherein the thruster rod is inserted into the thruster guide section of the syringe body, characterized in that the spring element is placed between said thruster and said plunger, such that external axial forces applied to said thruster in a distal direction are transferred to said plunger through said spring element, wherein in that the thruster and the syringe body have locking means for locking of the thruster in one exact axial position relative to the syringe body.