Ear-nose-throat (ent) hollow guidewire with balloon

Abstract

A medical probe includes a hollow guidewire, a balloon, and a magnetic position sensor. The hollow guidewire is configured for insertion into a channel of an organ of a patient. The balloon is fixed to a distal end of the hollow guidewire, is configured to be inserted into the channel using the hollow guidewire, and is further configured to be inflated by pumping of fluid through the hollow guidewire. The magnetic position sensor is fitted at the distal end of the hollow guidewire.

1 . A medical probe, comprising:
 a hollow guidewire for insertion into a channel of an organ of a patient;   a balloon fixed to a distal end of the hollow guidewire, wherein the balloon is configured to be inserted into the channel using the hollow guidewire and is further configured to be inflated by pumping of fluid through the hollow guidewire; and   a magnetic position sensor fitted at the distal end of the hollow guidewire.   
     
     
         2 . The medical probe according to  claim 1 , wherein the hollow guidewire comprises a coil-reinforced polyimide polymer tube. 
     
     
         3 . The medical probe according to  claim 1 , wherein the hollow guidewire comprises a braid-reinforced polymer tube. 
     
     
         4 . The medical probe according to  claim 1 , wherein a distal edge of the hollow guidewire protrudes beyond the balloon. 
     
     
         5 . The medical probe according to  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic position sensor is formed on a flexible printed-circuit-board wrapped around the distal end of the hollow guidewire. 
     
     
         6 . A manufacturing method, comprising:
 providing a hollow guidewire for insertion into a channel of an organ of a patient;   attaching a balloon to a distal end of the hollow guidewire so that the hollow guidewire protrudes beyond the balloon; and   fitting a magnetic position sensor at the distal end of the hollow guidewire.   
     
     
         7 . The manufacturing method according to  claim 6 , wherein providing the hollow guidewire comprises providing a coil-reinforced polymer tube. 
     
     
         8 . The manufacturing method according to  claim 6 , wherein providing the hollow guidewire comprises providing a braid-reinforced polymer tube. 
     
     
         9 . The manufacturing method according to  claim 6 , wherein the distal edge of the hollow guidewire protrudes beyond the balloon and both ends of the balloon are secured to the distal end of the hollow guidewire. 
     
     
         10 . The manufacturing method according to  claim 6 , and comprising securing both ends of the balloon to the hollow guidewire by gluing both ends of the balloon to the hollow guidewire. 
     
     
         11 . The manufacturing method according to  claim 6 , and comprising securing both ends of the balloon to the hollow guidewire by melting both ends of the balloon to the hollow guidewire. 
     
     
         12 . The manufacturing method according to  claim 6 , wherein fitting the magnetic position sensor comprises forming the magnetic position sensor on a flexible printed-circuit-board wrapped around the distal end of the hollow guidewire. 
     
     
         13 . A method, comprising:
 inserting a balloon attached to a hollow guidewire into a channel of an organ of a patient, wherein the balloon is configured to be inflated or deflated through one or more side holes in the hollow guidewire;   navigating the balloon in the channel using a magnetic sensor fitted at the distal end of the hollow guidewire; and   inflating the balloon by pumping fluid through the hollow guidewire to dilate the channel.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , and comprising deflating the balloon through the hollow guidewire, and retracting the balloon by pulling the hollow guidewire out of the organ of the patient.