Device for maintaining patent paranasal sinus ostia

Abstract

A device for maintaining a patent paranasal sinus ostium includes a tubular element having a first end, a second end, and a center region between the proximal end and distal end. The tubular element has an insertion state and a deployment state. The tubular element is locatable in the sinus ostium when in the insertion state and expandable from the insertion state to the deployment state when located in the sinus ostium. In the deployment state, the center region confronts the sinus ostium with an outward radial force.

1 . A device for maintaining a patent paranasal sinus ostium comprising a tubular element including a first end, a second end, and a center region between the proximal end and distal end, the tubular element having an insertion state and a deployment state, wherein the tubular element is locatable in a sinus ostium when in the insertion state and expandable from the insertion state to the deployment state when located in the sinus ostium, and wherein, in the deployment state, the center region confronts the sinus ostium with an outward radial force. 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein, in the deployment state, the center region has a radius that is less than a radius of at least one of the proximal end and the distal end. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein, in the deployment state, the tubular element has a substantially hourglass shape. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the center region is comprised of a first material and a remainder of the tubular element is comprised of a second material different than the first material. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular element comprises a material selected from the group consisting of poly-ε-caprolactone, polyhydroxybutyrate, poly-4-hydroxybutyrate, polyglycolic acid, polyhdroxypropionate, polyhydroxyvalerate, polybutyrolactone, polyglycolic acid, hyaluronic acid in resin form, poly-4-hydroxybutyrate, crosslinked hyaluronic acid, porcine collagen in resin form, methylmethacrylate, cyanoacrylate, polybutylmethacrylate, poly(L-lactide) and poly(D-lactide), polybutylmethacrylate, and polyethylene covinyl acetate. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular element comprises a material that is at least partially meltable to expand the tubular element from the insertion state to the deployment state. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the tubular element comprises a material having a melting point of less than 100° C. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular element is configured to elute a therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular element comprises a material that dissolves within about one year. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a wall thickness of the tubular element is smaller in the deployment state than in the insertion state.