Endoscopic methods and devices for transnasal procedures

Abstract

Medical devices, systems and methods that are useable to facilitate transnasal insertion and positioning of guidewires and various other devices and instruments at desired locations within the ear, nose, throat, paranasal sinuses or cranium.

1 - 95 . (canceled) 
     
     
         96 . A dilation system, comprising:
 (a) a body having a distal end and a proximal end;   (b) a guide member coupled to the distal end of the body and extending distally therefrom;   (c) a dilation member having an expandable dilator, wherein the dilation member is configured to move relative to the guide member;   (d) an endoscope assembly including an endoscope, the endoscope extending through the body and configured to extend along the guide member for viewing an area beyond the distal end of the body; and   (e) a lock feature operatively connected to the endoscope and configured to engage the endoscope thereby locking the position of the endoscope relative to the body.   
     
     
         97 . The dilation system of  claim 96 , wherein the lock feature comprises an adjustable extension. 
     
     
         98 . The dilation system of  claim 96 , wherein the lock feature is positioned between the endoscope assembly and the guide member. 
     
     
         99 . The dilation system of  claim 96 , wherein the endoscope assembly and the body at least partially define a handpiece, and wherein the handpiece is configured to be grasped by a single hand of an operator such that the body, the guide member, the dilation member, the endoscope, and the lock feature are configured to be manipulated with the single hand via the handpiece. 
     
     
         100 . The dilation system of  claim 99 , wherein the handpiece further includes an actuator and the guide member and the dilation member at least partially define a distal system portion, and wherein the actuator is operatively connected to the distal system portion and is configured to move a portion of the distal system portion. 
     
     
         101 . The dilation system of  claim 100 , wherein the actuator is movably coupled with the body. 
     
     
         102 . The dilation system of  claim 101 , wherein the actuator is translatably coupled with the body. 
     
     
         103 . The dilation system of  claim 99 , wherein the endoscope assembly includes a camera. 
     
     
         104 . The dilation system of  claim 96 , wherein the guide member defines an endoscope channel and a lumen, wherein the endoscope channel moveably receives the endoscope therein, and wherein the lumen movably receives the dilation member. 
     
     
         105 . The dilation system of  claim 104 , wherein the endoscope channel translatably receives the endoscope, and wherein the lumen translatably receives the dilation member. 
     
     
         106 . The dilation system of  claim 96 , wherein the expandable dilator comprises a balloon. 
     
     
         107 . The dilation system of  claim 96 , further comprising a guidewire extending along the guide member, wherein the guidewire receives the dilation member thereon for guiding movement of the dilation member. 
     
     
         108 . A dilation system, comprising:
 (a) a handpiece including:
 (i) a body having a distal end and a proximal end, and 
 (ii) an actuator; 
   (b) a guide member coupled to the distal end of the body and extending distally therefrom;   (c) a dilation member having an expandable dilator, wherein the dilation member is configured to move relative to the guide member; and   (d) an endoscope assembly including an endoscope, the endoscope extending through the body and configured to extend along the guide member for viewing an area beyond the distal end of the body,   wherein the guide member and the dilation member at least partially define a distal system portion, and wherein the actuator is operatively connected to the distal system portion and configured to move a portion thereof, and   wherein the handpiece is configured to be grasped by a single hand of an operator such that the body, the guide member, the dilation member, and the endoscope, are configured to be manipulated with the single hand via the handpiece.   
     
     
         109 . The dilation system of  claim 108 , wherein the actuator is movably coupled with the body. 
     
     
         110 . The dilation system of  claim 109 , wherein the actuator is translatably coupled with the body. 
     
     
         111 . The dilation system of  claim 108 , wherein the guide member defines an endoscope channel and a lumen, wherein the endoscope channel moveably receives the endoscope therein, and wherein the lumen movably receives the dilation member. 
     
     
         112 . The dilation system of  claim 108 , wherein the expandable dilator comprises a balloon. 
     
     
         113 . The dilation system of  claim 108 , further comprising a guidewire extending along the guide member, wherein the guidewire receives the dilation member thereon for guiding movement of the dilation member. 
     
     
         114 . The dilation system of  claim 108 , wherein the endoscope assembly includes a camera. 
     
     
         115 . A dilation system, comprising:
 (a) a handpiece including a body, the body having a distal end and a proximal end;   (b) a guide member coupled to the distal end of the body and extending distally therefrom;   (c) a dilation member having an expandable dilator, wherein the dilation member is configured to move relative to the guide member; and   (d) an endoscope assembly including an endoscope, the endoscope extending through the body and configured to extend along the guide member for viewing an area beyond the distal end of the body,   wherein the handpiece is configured to be grasped by a single hand of an operator such that the body, the guide member, the dilation member, and the endoscope, are configured to be manipulated with the single hand via the handpiece.