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 an anatomic passage-way in the head of a person, where said anatomic passage-way is accessible through the nose of the person, the device configured for use with an endoscope having an endoscope shaft, said endoscope shaft having an endoscope shaft distal end and an endoscope shaft proximal end, and an endoscope middle portion between said endoscope shaft distal end and said endoscope shaft proximal end, said device comprising:

• a balloon catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end configured for insertion into the passage-way, with a balloon disposed at the distal end, said proximal end configured for connection to an inflation device;
• a balloon catheter guiding tube for receiving and guiding the balloon catheter, said guiding tube having a guiding tube distal end and a guiding tube proximal end and a guiding tube straight segment between said guiding tube distal end and said guiding tube proximal end, said guiding tube straight segment having a guiding tube center axis, said guiding tube distal end configured for insertion into the passage-way, said balloon catheter guiding tube having a lumen configured to receive the balloon catheter;
• an actuator operably coupled to the proximal end of the balloon catheter;
• and
• a device body rigidly connected to the proximal end of the guiding tube, 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 receiving the endoscope middle portion, the straight track extending substantially parallel with the guiding tube straight segment, the straight track being configured to allow longitudinal translation and rotation of the endoscope shaft relative to the device body and to limit lateral movement of the endoscope relative to the device body in all directions but one direction, when the endoscope middle portion is disposed in the straight track, wherein
• the device body and the straight track are configured such that an operator holding the device can selectively manually apply pressure on the endoscope shaft to impede longitudinal translation and rotation of the endoscope shaft relative to the device body when the endoscope shaft is disposed within the straight track.