Deflectable guide catheters and related methods

Abstract

Deflectable guide catheters and methods, including methods for using defectable guide catheters to perform transnasal procedures within the ear, nose, throat, paranasal sinuses or cranium. Some deflectable guide catheters of the present invention comprise a substantially rigid tube, a helical spring attached to and extending from the distal end of the substantially rigid tube, a tubular plastic inner jacket, an outer plastic jacket substantially covering at least the helical spring member. The spring member is deflectable to cause the distal portion of the guide catheter to deflect to a curved configuration. In embodiments for transnasal use the deflectable guide catheter may have a length of less than 25 cm.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An apparatus comprising:
 (a) a catheter shaft, the catheter shaft being configured to fit in a nasal cavity of a patient;   (b) a balloon positioned at a distal end of the catheter shaft, the balloon being configured to transition between a non-inflated state and an inflated state, the balloon in the non-inflated state being configured to fit in a passageway associated with a nasal sinus cavity, the balloon in the inflated state being configured to dilate the passageway associated with the nasal sinus cavity; and   (c) a coating on the balloon, the coating including a therapeutic agent, the therapeutic agent being configured to provide a therapeutic effect on tissue in or near the passageway associated with the nasal sinus cavity.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , the balloon being formed of a non-compliant material. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , the balloon comprising polyethylene. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , the coating further including a carrier medium for the therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , the carrier medium including hydrogel. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , the coating being arranged in a plurality of strips on the balloon. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , the coating being arranged in an annular layer on the balloon. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , the coating being arranged in a plurality of discrete spots on the balloon. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , the therapeutic agent including a hemostatic material. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a guidewire, the catheter shaft being configured for advancement along the guidewire. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a frame disposed about the balloon. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , the frame being configured to self-expand. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , the balloon being configured to diffuse the therapeutic agent to thereby provide the coating. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus comprising:
 (a) a catheter shaft, the catheter shaft being configured to fit in a nasal cavity of a patient;   (b) a balloon positioned at a distal end of the catheter shaft, the balloon being configured to transition between a non-inflated state and an inflated state, the balloon in the non-inflated state being configured to fit in a passageway associated with a nasal sinus cavity, the balloon in the inflated state being configured to dilate the passageway associated with the nasal sinus cavity; and   (c) a therapeutic agent carried by the balloon, the therapeutic agent being configured to provide a therapeutic effect on tissue in or near the passageway associated with the nasal sinus cavity.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , the therapeutic agent being carried on the balloon as a coating on the balloon. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , the balloon defining an interior, the interior being configured to receive the therapeutic agent, the balloon being configured to diffuse the therapeutic agent from the interior. 
     
     
         18 . A method comprising:
 (a) inserting a balloon catheter into a nasal cavity of a patient;   (b) positioning a balloon of the balloon catheter in a passageway associated with a nasal sinus of the patient;   (c) expanding the balloon to thereby dilate the passageway; and   (d) delivering a therapeutic agent to the passageway via the expanded balloon.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , the passageway including a sinus ostium. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , the therapeutic agent including a steroid. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , the balloon including a coating containing the therapeutic agent, the therapeutic agent being delivered via contact between the balloon and tissue of the passageway.