Implantable devices and methods for treating sinusitis and other disorders

A method for treating a human or animal subject, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) forming an opening into at least one ethmoid air cell;
• (b) providing or obtaining an implantable device, wherein the implantable device comprises:
• (i) a self-expanding member,
• (ii) a connector,
• (iii) a shaft connecting the self-expanding member and the connector, and
• (iv) a delivery sheath having a lumen and a distal end,
• wherein the shaft is positioned within the lumen of the delivery sheath
• (c) advancing the distal end of the delivery sheath into a nose of the subject to a location adjacent to the opening formed in at least one ethmoid air cell, wherein the self-expanding member is in a constrained configuration within the lumen of the delivery sheath during the act of advancing the distal end of the delivery sheath;
• (d) separating the delivery sheath from the self-expanding member, thereby releasing the self-expanding member from the delivery sheath such that the self-expanding member expands to an expanded configuration wherein the self-expanding member contacts with anatomy surrounding the opening formed in the at least one ethmoid air cell;
• (e) separating a distal portion of the shaft from a proximal portion of the shaft at a point between the self-expanding member and the connector;
• (f) removing the delivery sheath from the shaft;
• and
• (g) allowing the implantable device to remain implanted within the opening formed in the at least one ethmoid air cell.