US 11,678,940 B2
Dilation instrument with navigation and distally located force sensor
Henry F. Salazar, Pico Rivera, CA (US); Jetmir Palushi, Irvine, CA (US); and David A. Smith, Jr., Lake Forest, CA (US)
Assigned to Acclarent, Inc., Irvine, CA (US)
Filed by Acclarent, Inc., Irvine, CA (US)
Filed on Oct. 8, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/65,576.
Application 17/065,576 is a continuation of application No. 15/830,205, filed on Dec. 4, 2017, granted, now 10,864,046.
Prior Publication US 2021/0085402 A1, Mar. 25, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61B 34/20 (2016.01); A61M 25/09 (2006.01); A61M 29/02 (2006.01); A61B 34/00 (2016.01); A61B 5/06 (2006.01); A61B 17/24 (2006.01); A61B 1/06 (2006.01); A61G 15/12 (2006.01); A61M 3/02 (2006.01); A61B 1/07 (2006.01); A61B 34/10 (2016.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01); A61B 90/30 (2016.01); A61M 25/01 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 34/20 (2016.02) [A61B 5/062 (2013.01); A61B 5/066 (2013.01); A61B 17/24 (2013.01); A61B 34/25 (2016.02); A61M 25/09041 (2013.01); A61M 29/02 (2013.01); A61B 1/0676 (2013.01); A61B 1/07 (2013.01); A61B 34/76 (2016.02); A61B 2034/105 (2016.02); A61B 2034/2051 (2016.02); A61B 2034/2055 (2016.02); A61B 2034/2059 (2016.02); A61B 2034/2072 (2016.02); A61B 2034/2074 (2016.02); A61B 2034/254 (2016.02); A61B 2090/064 (2016.02); A61B 2090/306 (2016.02); A61B 2090/3937 (2016.02); A61G 15/125 (2013.01); A61M 3/0295 (2013.01); A61M 25/0113 (2013.01); A61M 2205/0216 (2013.01); A61M 2205/502 (2013.01); A61M 2210/0618 (2013.01); A61M 2210/0681 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An ENT instrument comprising:
(a) a proximal end;
(b) a distal end having a tip;
(c) a navigation sensor positioned proximal to the tip of the distal end, wherein the navigation sensor is configured to cooperate with a guidance system and thereby provide signals indicating a position of the ENT instrument in three-dimensional space, wherein the navigation sensor is spaced apart from the tip of the distal end by a first distance; and
(d) a force sensor positioned proximal to the tip of the distal end, wherein the force sensor is configured to provide signals indicating a force encountered by the force sensor, wherein the force sensor is spaced apart from the tip of the distal end by the first distance.