CPC A61F 11/202 (2022.01) [A61B 1/07 (2013.01); A61B 1/227 (2013.01); A61B 1/233 (2013.01); A61B 5/036 (2013.01); A61B 5/411 (2013.01); A61B 5/415 (2013.01); A61B 5/6852 (2013.01); A61B 8/12 (2013.01); A61B 17/00234 (2013.01); A61B 17/12104 (2013.01); A61B 17/12131 (2013.01); A61M 25/0041 (2013.01); A61M 25/0068 (2013.01); A61M 25/09 (2013.01); A61M 25/10 (2013.01); A61M 29/02 (2013.01); A61M 31/00 (2013.01); A61M 31/002 (2013.01); A61N 7/02 (2013.01); A61B 18/20 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00296 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00787 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00327 (2013.01); A61B 2018/144 (2013.01); A61F 11/20 (2022.01); A61F 2250/0067 (2013.01); A61M 25/007 (2013.01); A61M 25/0032 (2013.01); A61M 25/0054 (2013.01); A61M 25/01 (2013.01); A61M 25/0102 (2013.01); A61M 25/0105 (2013.01); A61M 25/0147 (2013.01); A61M 2025/0008 (2013.01); A61M 2025/0166 (2013.01); A61M 2025/09008 (2013.01); A61M 2025/09183 (2013.01); A61M 2025/105 (2013.01); A61M 2025/1075 (2013.01); A61M 2210/0681 (2013.01); A61N 1/30 (2013.01)] | 17 Claims |
1. A method of operating an apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
(a) a handle comprising a body;
(b) a first fluid coupling; and
(c) a shaft assembly extending distally from the body and defining a central longitudinal axis, the shaft assembly including:
(i) a shaft having a rounded, atraumatic distal tip and a bent region proximal to the rounded, atraumatic distal tip such that the rounded, atraumatic distal tip is offset from the central longitudinal axis, the shaft being malleable such that the shaft is configured to maintain a bend of the bent region as the shaft is inserted into a nasal cavity, the bent region having a bend angle being configured to promote entry of the rounded, atraumatic distal tip into a Eustachian tube, the rounded, atraumatic distal tip being configured to enter a Eustachian tube, and
(ii) a balloon, the balloon being positioned at a distal region of the shaft and proximal to the rounded, atraumatic distal tip, a proximal portion of the shaft being positioned proximally in relation to the balloon, the balloon being in fluid communication with the first fluid coupling such that the balloon is configured to inflate in response to fluid communicated via the first fluid coupling, the balloon being further configured to dilate the Eustachian tube when the balloon is inflated;
the method comprising:
(a) inserting the rounded, atraumatic distal tip into the Eustachian tube, the shaft maintaining the bend of the bent region as the rounded, atraumatic distal tip is inserted into the Eustachian tube, the bent region having a bend angle being configured to promote entry of the rounded, atraumatic distal tip into the Eustachian tube;
(b) positioning the balloon in the Eustachian tube;
(c) inflating the balloon in the Eustachian tube to thereby dilate the Eustachian tube;
(d) deflating the balloon after inflating the balloon in the Eustachian tube; and
(e) removing the balloon from the Eustachian tube.
|