US 12,121,686 B2
Dilation catheter with removable bulb tip
Jetmir Palushi, Irvine, CA (US); Azhang Hamlekhan, Irvine, CA (US); and John H. Thinnes, Jr., Mission Viejo, CA (US)
Assigned to Acclarent, Inc., Irvine, CA (US)
Filed by Acclarent, Inc., Irvine, CA (US)
Filed on Jan. 21, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/580,729.
Application 17/580,729 is a division of application No. 16/003,178, filed on Jun. 8, 2018, granted, now 11,260,208.
Prior Publication US 2022/0211986 A1, Jul. 7, 2022
Int. Cl. A61M 29/02 (2006.01); A61B 17/24 (2006.01); A61B 17/34 (2006.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01); A61M 25/10 (2013.01)
CPC A61M 29/02 (2013.01) [A61B 17/24 (2013.01); A61B 17/3415 (2013.01); A61M 25/1002 (2013.01); A61M 25/1025 (2013.01); A61B 2090/062 (2016.02); A61M 2025/1054 (2013.01); A61M 2025/1061 (2013.01); A61M 2029/025 (2013.01); A61M 2210/0675 (2013.01); A61M 2210/0681 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method comprising:
(a) advancing a dilation catheter into a Eustachian tube of a patient via a pharyngeal ostium of the patient;
(b) engaging an isthmus of the Eustachian tube with a bulbous tip at a distal end of the dilation catheter;
(c) ceasing advancement of the dilation catheter in the Eustachian tube in response to the engagement of the isthmus with the bulbous tip;
(d) expanding a dilator of the dilation catheter in the Eustachian tube to thereby dilate the Eustachian tube;
(e) removing the dilation catheter from the Eustachian tube;
(f) removing the bulbous tip from the dilation catheter;
(g) advancing the dilation catheter into a nasal cavity of the patient;
(h) positioning the dilator in a passageway associated with drainage of a paranasal sinus of the patient; and
(i) expanding the dilator to thereby dilate the passageway associated with drainage of the paranasal sinus.