Implantable devices and methods for delivering drugs and other substances to locations within the body of a human or animal subject to treat or diagnose sinusitis and a variety of other disorders. The invention includes implantable substance delivery devices that comprise reservoirs and barriers that control the rate at which substances pass out of the reservoirs. The delivery devices may be advanced into the body using guidewires, catheters, ports, introducers and other access apparatus. In some embodiments the delivery devices may be loaded with one or more desired substance before their introduction into the body. In other embodiments the delivery devices are loaded and/or reloaded with a desired substance after the delivery device has been introduced into the body.

Implantable devices and methods for delivering drugs and other substances to treat sinusitis and other disorders

The devices and methods generally relate to treatment of occluded body lumens. In particular, the present devices and method relate to removal of the occluding material from the blood vessels as well as other body lumens.

Atherectomy devices, systems, and methods

An elongate medical device including an inner elongate member, a reinforcing member, and an outer tubular member is described. The reinforcing member may be a helically wound continuous wire including a first portion having a first cross-sectional profile, a second portion having a second cross-sectional profile, and a transition region located between the first portion and the second portion. The first cross-sectional profile may be different from the second cross-sectional profile. In some embodiments, the first cross-sectional profile may be circular or non-circular and the second cross-sectional profile may be circular or non-circular.

Elongate medical device with continuous reinforcement member

Sinusitis and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches with flexible or rigid instruments. Various methods and devices are used for remodeling or changing the shape, size or configuration of a sinus ostium or duct or other anatomical structure in the ear, nose or throat; implanting a device, cells or tissues; removing matter from the ear, nose or throat; delivering diagnostic or therapeutic substances or performing other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Introducing devices (e.g., guide catheters, tubes, guidewires, elongate probes, other elongate members) may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g. catheters e.g. balloon catheters, guidewires, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, devices for implanting elements like stents, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for delivering diagnostic or therapeutic agents, substance delivery implants, scopes etc.) into the paranasal sinuses or other structures in the ear, nose or throat.

Apparatus and methods for dilating and modifying ostia of paranasal sinuses and other intranasal or paranasal structures

Sinusitis, enlarged nasal turbinates, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, allergic conditions, facial fractures and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air/gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies, endoscopic studies and transillumination studies. Access and occluder devices may be used to establish fluid tight seals in the anterior or posterior nasal cavities/nasopharynx and to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g., scopes, guidewires, catheters, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for injecting diagnostic or therapeutic agents, devices for implanting devices such as stents, substance eluting devices, substance delivery implants, etc.

Devices, systems and methods for diagnosing and treating sinusitis and other disorders of the ears, nose and/or throat

A guide wire for a catheter has a tubular portion with a flexible body fixed to its distal end. The distal end of the body may be composed of a radiopaque material. Optical fibers are disposed within the assembly and terminate in a radiopaque tip at the distal end of the body. The guide wire may have a longitudinal marker wire or mandrel for providing stiffness and radioscopic tracking characteristics, as well as providing torsional control and tip shaping capabilities. The guide wire has a proximal end attached to the tube and a distal end that also terminates in the tip. The wire may be maneuvered in a vascular area like a conventional guide wire and may be used in conjunction with a support catheter to increase its maneuverability. Then, laser energy is conveyed to the vascular area by the optical fibers to ablate an obstruction. The proximal end of the guide wire is then removed and a larger catheter may then be slid over the guide wire to continue the ablation operation. Employing plastic tubing, a wire coil, or a combination of these two for the distal body, the guide wire may be used in peripheral or coronary angioplasty applications. The guide wire may be used in conjunction with a support catheter which is used to direct the guide wire to a treatment site and provides improved tracking characteristics.

Fiber optic guide wire and support catheter therefor

A guide wire (20) for a catheter has a solid tubular portion with a flexible body fixed to its distal end (22). The distal end (22) of the body may be composed of a material more radiopaque than its proximal portion. Optical fibers (24) are disposed within the assembly and terminate in a radiopaque tip at the distal end (22) of the body. The guide wire (20) may have a longitudinal marker wire (32) for providing stiffness and radioscopic tracking characteristics. The guide wire (20) has a proximal end attached to the tube and a distal end (22) that also terminates in the tip. The invention may be maneuvered and positioned in a vascular area like a conventional guide wire. Then, laser energy from a laser light source at a proximal end of the guide wire is conveyed to the vascular area by the optical fibers (24) to ablate an obstruction. A larger catheter may then be slid over the guide wire to continue the ablation operation. Employing polyester tubing for the distal body, the guide wire may be used in peripheral angioplasty applications. Alternatively, the distal body may be implemented with a metal coil and may be used in coronary angioplasty.

Cecily M Hillsman

Papers

Fiber optic guide wire and support catheter therefor

Fiber optic guide wire