Device for maintaining patent paranasal sinus ostia

Abstract

A system and method for maintaining a patent paranasal sinus ostium includes delivering a tubular element in an insertion state to the sinus ostium. The tubular element includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a center region between the proximal end and the distal end. The method includes expanding the tubular element from the insertion state to a deployment state when the tubular element is located in the sinus ostium. In the deployment state, the center region confronts the sinus ostium with an outward radial force. Other embodiments are disclosed.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A device for maintaining a patent paranasal sinus ostium passageway between a sinus and a nasal cavity, comprising a tubular element including a distal end, a proximal end, and a center region between the proximal end and distal end, the tubular element having an insertion state and a deployment state;
 the central region locatable in the sinus ostium passageway, the distal end locatable in the sinus, and the proximal end locatable in the nasal cavity;   in the insertion state, the tubular element having a maximum outer diameter, the maximum outer diameter in the insertion state being equal to or larger than a diameter of the sinus ostium passageway, and the tubular element being expandable from the insertion state to the deployment state when located in the sinus ostium; and   in the deployment state, the center region confronts a wall of the sinus ostium with an outward radial force configured to define a maximum diameter of the sinus ostium passageway, the proximal end extends beyond the maximum diameter of the sinus ostium passageway into the sinus, and the distal end extends beyond the maximum diameter of the sinus ostium passageway into the nasal cavity.   
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 27 , 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. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein, in the deployment state, the tubular element has a substantially hourglass shape. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 27 , 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. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the tubular element comprises a material selected from the group consisting of poly-E-caprolactone, polyhydroxybutyrate, poly-4-hydroxybutyrate, polyglycolic acid, polyhdroxypropionate, polyhydroxyvalerate, polybutyrolactone, polyglycolic acide, hyaluronic acid in resin form, poly-4-hydroxybutyrate, crosslinked hyaluronic acid, porcine collagen in resin form, methymethacrylate, cyanoacrylate, polybutylmethacrylate, poly(L-lactide) and poly(D-lactide), polybutylmethacrylate, and polyethylene covinyl acetate. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 27 , 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. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 32 , wherein the tubular element comprises a material having a melting point of less than 100° C. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the tubular element is configured to elute a therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the tubular element comprises a material that dissolves within about one year. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein a wall thickness of the tubular element is smaller in the deployment state than in the insertion state. 
     
     
         37 . A device for maintaining a patent paranasal sinus ostium passageway between a sinus and a nasal cavity, the device comprising:
 a tubular element extending longitudinally from a proximal end, through a center region, and to a distal end;   wherein the tubular element in an insertion state is delivered to the sinus ostium passageway such that the center region is disposed in the sinus ostium passageway, the distal end is disposed in the sinus, and the proximal end is disposed in the nasal cavity, wherein the tubular element has a maximum outer diameter in the insertion state, and the maximum outer diameter in the insertion state is equal to or larger than a diameter of the sinus ostium passageway; and   wherein the tubular element is expanded from the insertion state to a deployment state, wherein, in the deployment state, the center region confronts a wall of the sinus ostium passageway with an outward radial force configured to define a maximum diameter of the sinus ostium passageway, the proximal end extends beyond the maximum diameter of the sinus ostium passageway into the sinus, and the distal end extends beyond the maximum diameter of the sinus ostium passageway into the nasal cavity.   
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 37 , 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. 
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 37 , wherein, in the deployment state, the tubular element has a substantially hourglass shape. 
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 37 , 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. 
     
     
         41 . The device of  claim 37 , wherein the tubular element comprises a material selected from the group consisting of poly-E-caprolactone, polyhydroxybutyrate, poly-4-hydroxybutyrate, polyglycolic acid, polyhdroxypropionate, polyhydroxyvalerate, polybutyrolactone, polyglycolic acide, hyaluronic acid in resin form, poly-4-hydroxybutyrate, crosslinked hyaluronic acid, porcine collagen in resin form, methymethacrylate, cyanoacrylate, polybutylmethacrylate, poly(L-lactide) and poly(D-lactide), polybutylmethacrylate, and polyethylene covinyl acetate. 
     
     
         42 . The device of  claim 37 , 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. 
     
     
         43 . The device of  claim 42 , wherein the tubular element comprises a material having a melting point of less than 100° C. 
     
     
         44 . The device of  claim 37 , wherein the tubular element is configured to elute a therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         45 . The device of  claim 37 , wherein the tubular element comprises a material that dissolves within about one year. 
     
     
         46 . The device of  claim 37 , wherein a wall thickness of the tubular element is smaller in the deployment state than in the insertion state.