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

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for removing polyps or other tissue from the nose, nasopharynx or paranasal sinus, said device comprising:
 a flexible catheter having a distal end and a lumen;   a flexible tube having an open distal end and a lumen extending therethrough, said flexible tube being rotatably disposed within a lumen of the catheter such that the flexible tube may rotate while the catheter does not rotate;   a rotating cutter on the distal end of the flexible tube; and   an opening formed in the catheter such that matter may be received through the opening and cut by the rotating cutter.   
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a connector for connecting the lumen of the flexible tube to a source of negative pressure such that matter that is cut by the rotating cutter will be suctioned though the open distal end and through the lumen of the flexible tube. 
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the opening in the catheter is an opening in the distal end of the catheter. 
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the opening in the catheter is a side opening formed in a side of the catheter. 
     
     
         5 . A device according to claim  63  wherein there is at least one bearing disposed between the catheter and the flexible tube. 
     
     
         6 . A device according to claim  63  further comprising a scope which is useable to view the distal end of the catheter while the device is inserted in the body of a patient. 
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 6  wherein the scope extends through the lumen of the flexible tube. 
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 6  wherein the scope is attached to the exterior of the catheter. 
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 6  wherein the scope is disposed in a lumen on one side of the catheter. 
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 1  further comprising a side lumen on the catheter. 
     
     
         11 . A system comprising a device according to  claim 10  in combination with a scope positioned in the side lumen. 
     
     
         12 . A system comprising a device according to  claim 10  in combination with a guidewire positioned in the side lumen. 
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 4  further comprising moveable retractor apparatus that is operative to retract matter that has entered the opening into contact with the rotating cutter. 
     
     
         14 . A device according to  claim 13  wherein the moveable retractor apparatus comprises an elongate member having a retractor head, said elongate member being advanceable in a distal direction to move the retractor head to a location distal to the side opening and retractable in the proximal direction to move the retractor head in the proximal direction such that the retractor head will propel matter that has entered the opening into contact with the rotating cutter. 
     
     
         15 . A device according to  claim 13  wherein the catheter has a closed distal tip. 
     
     
         16 . A device according to  claim 15  further comprising a lumen that extends through the flexible tube and through an opening formed in the distal tip of the catheter. 
     
     
         17 . A system comprising a device according to  claim 16  in combination with a scope positioned within the lumen that extends through the flexible tube and through an opening formed in the distal tip of the catheter. 
     
     
         18 . A system comprising a device according to claim  168  in combination with a guidewire positioned within the lumen that extends through the flexible tube and through an opening formed in the distal tip of the catheter.