U.S. patent application number 11/888273 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-22 for endoscopic methods and devices for transnasal procedures.
Invention is credited to Eric Goldfarb, Thomas R. Jenkins, Isaac J. Kim, Tom T. Vo, Thomas J. Wisted.
Application Number | 20070270644 11/888273 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39201029 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070270644 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goldfarb; Eric ; et
al. |
November 22, 2007 |
Endoscopic methods and devices for transnasal procedures
Abstract
Medical devices, systems and methods that are useable to
facilitate transnasal insertion and positioning of guidewires and
various other devices and instruments at desired locations within
the ear, nose, throat, paranasal sinuses or cranium. Direct viewing
of such placements via an endoscope.
Inventors: |
Goldfarb; Eric; (Belmont,
CA) ; Jenkins; Thomas R.; (Oakland, CA) ; Kim;
Isaac J.; (San Jose, CA) ; Vo; Tom T.;
(Mountain View, CA) ; Wisted; Thomas J.; (San
Francisco, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAW OFFICE OF ALAN W. CANNON
942 MESA OAK COURT
SUNNYVALE
CA
94086
US
|
Family ID: |
39201029 |
Appl. No.: |
11/888273 |
Filed: |
July 31, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11725151 |
Mar 15, 2007 |
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11888273 |
Jul 31, 2007 |
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11647530 |
Dec 27, 2006 |
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11888273 |
Jul 31, 2007 |
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11522497 |
Sep 15, 2006 |
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11647530 |
Dec 27, 2006 |
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11193020 |
Jul 29, 2005 |
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11647530 |
Dec 27, 2006 |
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10829917 |
Apr 21, 2004 |
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11193020 |
Jul 29, 2005 |
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10944270 |
Sep 17, 2004 |
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11193020 |
Jul 29, 2005 |
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11116118 |
Apr 26, 2005 |
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11193020 |
Jul 29, 2005 |
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11150847 |
Jun 10, 2005 |
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11193020 |
Jul 29, 2005 |
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60844874 |
Sep 15, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
600/114 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 1/00154 20130101;
A61M 2025/09083 20130101; A61B 1/0014 20130101; A61B 1/0051
20130101; A61B 5/0084 20130101; A61B 1/233 20130101; A61B 17/24
20130101; A61B 5/061 20130101; A61B 1/01 20130101; A61B 2017/246
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/114 |
International
Class: |
A61B 1/01 20060101
A61B001/01 |
Claims
1-18. (canceled)
19. A method for locating a sinus ostium, said method comprising
the steps of: inserting an endoscope through a nostril of a patient
and advancing the endoscope toward a location of the sinus ostium;
inserting a guidewire through the nostril and advancing a distal
end portion of the guidewire distally of a distal end of the
endoscope; and viewing, through the endoscope, the advancement of
the distal end portion of the guidewire to facilitate guidance of
the advancement of the guidewire along a desired path.
20. The method of claim 19 further comprising directing the distal
end portion of the guidewire, under guidance facilitated by
visualization of the distal end portion via the endoscope, into the
sinus ostium.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the guidewire is an
illuminating guidewire, and visualization through the endoscope is
enhanced by light emitted by the illuminating guidewire.
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising confirming that the
distal end portion of the guidewire has been inserted into a
desired sinus by observing transillumination effects produced by
the illumination from the distal end portion of the guidewire
having been inserted through the sinus ostium and into the
sinus.
23. The method of claim 20, further comprising advancing a working
device over the guidewire and performing a diagnostic or
therapeutic step with regard to at least one of the sinus ostium
and a sinus that the sinus ostium opens to.
24-64. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of
co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/647,530, filed Dec. 27,
2006, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 11/522,497, filed Sep. 15, 2006, and is also a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/193,020
filed Jul. 29, 2005, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. Nos. 10/829,917 filed Apr. 21, 2004, 10/944,270
filed Sep. 17, 2004, 11/116,118 filed Apr. 26, 2005 and 11/150,847
filed Jun. 10, 2005, each such application being expressly
incorporated herein, in its entirety, by reference thereto, and
each of which we claim priority to under 35 USC .sctn.120.
[0002] This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/844,874, filed Sep. 15, 2006, which application
is expressly incorporated herein, in its entirety, by reference
thereto and to which we claim priority under 35 USC .sctn. 119.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates generally to medical apparatus
and methods and more particularly to devices and methods that are
useable to facilitate transnasal insertion and positioning of
guidewires and various other apparatus at desired locations within
the ear, nose, throat, paranasal sinuses or cranium.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is currently the
most common type of surgery used to treat chronic sinusitis. In a
typical FESS procedure, an endoscope is inserted into the nostril
along with one or more surgical instruments. The surgical
instruments are then used to cut tissue and/or bone, cauterize,
suction, etc. In most FESS procedures, the natural ostium (e.g.,
opening) of at least one paranasal sinus is surgically enlarged to
improve drainage from the sinus cavity. The endoscope provides a
direct line-of-sight view whereby the surgeon is typically able to
visualize some but not all anatomical structures within the
surgical field. Under visualization through the endoscope, the
surgeon may remove diseased or hypertrophic tissue or bone and may
enlarge the ostia of the sinuses to restore normal drainage of the
sinuses. FESS procedures can be effective in the treatment of
sinusitis and for the removal of tumors, polyps and other aberrant
growths from the nose.
[0005] The surgical instruments used in the prior art FESS
procedures have included; applicators, chisels, curettes,
elevators, forceps, gouges, hooks, knives, saws, mallets,
morselizers, needle holders, osteotomes, ostium seekers, probes,
punches, backbiters, rasps, retractors, rongeurs, scissors, snares,
specula, suction cannulae and trocars. The majority of such
instruments are of substantially rigid design.
[0006] In order to adequately view the operative field through the
endoscope and/or to allow insertion and use of rigid instruments,
many FESS procedures of the prior art have included the surgical
removal or modification of normal anatomical structures. For
example, in many prior art FESS procedures, a total uncinectomy
(e.g., removal of the uncinate process) is performed at the
beginning of the procedure to allow visualization of and access to
the maxilary sinus ostium and/or ethmoid bulla and to permit the
subsequent insertion of the rigid surgical instruments. Indeed, in
most traditional FESS procedures, if the uncinate process is
allowed to remain, such can interfere with endoscopic visualization
of the maxillary sinus ostium and ethmoid bulla, as well as
subsequent dissection of deep structures using the available rigid
instrumentation.
[0007] More recently, new devices, systems and methods have been
devised to enable the performance of FESS procedures and other ENT
surgeries with minimal or no removal or modification of normal
anatomical structures. Such new methods include, but are not
limited to, uncinate-sparing procedures using Balloon
Sinuplasty.TM. tools and uncinate-sparing ethmoidectomy procedures
using catheters, non-rigid instruments and advanced imaging
techniques (Acclarent, Inc., Menlo Park, Calif.). Examples of these
new devices, systems and methods are described in incorporated U.S.
patent application Ser. Nos. 10/829,917 entitled Devices, Systems
and Methods for Diagnosing and Treating Sinusitis and Other
Disorders of the Ears, Nose and/or Throat; 10/944,270 entitled
Apparatus and Methods for Dilating and Modifying Ostia of Paranasal
Sinuses and Other Intranasal or Paranasal Structures; Ser. No.
11/116,118 entitled Methods and Devices for Performing Procedures
Within the Ear, Nose, Throat and Paranasal Sinuses filed Apr. 26,
2005 and 11/150,847 filed Jun. 10, 2005, each of which is hereby
incorporated herein, in its entirety. Procedures using Balloon
Sinuplasty.TM. tools such as those described in the above-noted
applications, for example, are performable using various types of
guidance including but not limited to C-arm fluoroscopy, transnasal
endoscopy, optical image guidance and/or electromagnetic image
guidance.
[0008] In FESS procedures, the surgeon typically holds or navigates
the endoscope with one hand while using the other hand to handle
the surgical instruments. Recognizing the desirability of
integrating an endoscope with an operative device so that both
could be moved with a single hand, application Ser. No. 11/234,395
filed Sep. 23, 2005 describes a number of transnasally insertable
sinus guides that have endoscopes attached thereto or integrated
therewith.
[0009] There remains a need for further development of new devices
and methodology to facilitate the integration of endoscopes with
sinus guides and/or other instruments to facilitate endoscopic
viewing of guidewires and/or other devices/instruments as they are
transnasally inserted, positioned and used to treat disorders of
the ear, nose, throat, paranasal sinuses or other intracranial
disorders that are transnasally accessible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] A beneficial aspect of the present invention is to allow a
user to be able to see an adjustable view, with an endoscope, that
is generally aligned with the same axis of movement of the user's
working device. This is particularly useful when the axis of
movement is at an angle with respect to the axis of entry into the
patient. This aspect allows the user to see "around the corner" of
anatomy that ordinarily would block his/her view and which would
therefore require removal in a traditional FESS procedure to allow
visualization. This aspect of the invention allows the user to also
verify the location of his/her Balloon Sinuplasty.TM. tools without
having to use fluoroscopy or image guidance systems, so that the
procedure does not have to be performed in an operating room.
Another beneficial aspect of the present invention is that it
enables a reduction in the amount of fluoroscopy that needs to be
performed by the user doing the procedure, resulting in a reduction
in radiation exposure to the user and the patient.
[0011] Another beneficial aspect of the present invention is that
it allows a user to hold a tool with an endoscope attached or
incorporated therein, such that both can be held with one hand
while allowing the user to manipulate another tool with the other
hand, thereby eliminating the need for an assistant.
[0012] A method for positioning a guide device useful for
delivering at least one working device therethrough to deliver a
working end portion thereof to a desired location within the ear,
nose, throat or cranium of a human or animal patient is provided,
including the steps of: inserting an endoscope into or through an
endoscope channel of the guide device that includes an elongated
shaft; inserting the guide device into an internal space of the
patient; and viewing through the endoscope to guide positioning and
delivery of the guide device to an intended location in the
patient.
[0013] A method for locating a sinus ostium is provided, including
the steps of: inserting an endoscope through a nostril of a patient
and advancing the endoscope toward a location of the sinus ostium;
inserting a guidewire through the nostril and advancing a distal
end portion of the guidewire distally of a distal end of the
endoscope; and viewing, through the endoscope, the advancement of
the distal end portion of the guidewire to facilitate guidance of
the advancement of the guidewire along a desired path.
[0014] A method for treating a patient is provided, including the
steps of: inserting an endoscope into or through an endoscope
channel of a guide device that includes an elongated shaft;
inserting the guide device through a nostril of the patient;
advancing a distal end portion of the guide device toward a sinus
ostium of the patient; advancing a distal end portion of the
endoscope distally of the distal end portion of the guide device,
and navigating the distal end portion of the endoscope through the
sinus ostium, said navigating being assisted by visualization
through the endoscope.
[0015] A method of visually inspecting a sinus cavity is provided,
including the steps of: inserting an endoscope through a lumen of a
working device having previously been inserted through a nostril of
a patient, through a sinus ostium and into the sinus cavity; and
viewing the sinus cavity through the endoscope.
[0016] A method of directing a guidewire to a target location
within the ear, nose, throat or cranium of a patient is provided,
including the steps of: inserting an illuminating guidewire
internally of the patient; emitting light from a distal end portion
of the guidewire; and tracking movements of the distal end portion
of the guidewire by tracking movements of an illumination spot
visible externally of the patient, wherein movements of the
illumination spot correspond to movements of the distal end portion
of the guidewire internally of the patient.
[0017] A guide device useable to position a working device at a
desired location within the ear, nose, throat or cranium of a human
or animal subject is provided, including: a transnasally insertable
elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; a first
channel into which an endoscope may be inserted so that the
endoscope may be used to view at least an area beyond the distal
end of the shaft; and a second channel through which the working
device may be advanced, wherein the first channel is statically
located relative to the second channel.
[0018] A flexible microendoscope is provided, including: an
elongated shaft; a plurality of image fibers; a lens attached at
distal end of said image fibers; and a plurality of light
transmitting fibers; wherein the microendoscope has a
cross-sectional area permitting insertion into a nasal cavity of a
patient.
[0019] An illuminating guidewire device is provided, including: a
flexible distal end portion; at least one light emitting element in
the distal end portion; at least one structure extending from a
proximal end of the device through a proximal end portion of the
device and at least part of the distal end portion to connect the
at least one light emitting element with a power source; a coil;
and at least one coil support within the coil, with at least a
portion of each coil support fixed to the coil.
[0020] A method of making an illuminating guidewire is provided,
including the steps of: providing a coil having a predetermined
length and diameter; inserting mandrels through an annulus of the
coil; inserting a first core support into the coil and fixing a
portion of the first core support at a predetermined length from a
distal end of the coil; removing a mandrel and inserting a second
core support; fixing said second core support at predetermined
locations along a length thereof, to the coil and fixing the first
core support at additional locations along the length thereof to
the coil; and inserting illumination fibers.
[0021] A transnasally insertable guide system for positioning an
endoscope at a desired location within the ear, nose, throat or
cranium of a human or animal subject is provided, including: a
tubular guide having an elongate shaft and a lumen, at least a
portion of the elongate shaft having a predetermined shape; a
sheath sized to be inserted into the lumen of the tubular guide,
the sheath comprising an elongate flexible body having a distal end
and a scope lumen; and an endoscope that is advanceable through the
scope lumen of the sheath, wherein the endoscope is useable to view
the anatomy when advanced through the scope lumen of the sheath
having been inserted into the guide and the guide having been
inserted into an internal space within the patient; and wherein the
sheath and endoscope are thereafter removable leaving the tubular
guide in place.
[0022] A guide device useable to position a working device at a
desired location within the ear, nose, throat or cranium of a human
or animal subject is provided, including: a transnasally insertable
elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; a channel
through which the working device may be advanced, wherein the shaft
comprises a scooped distal tip.
[0023] These and other features of the invention will become
apparent to those persons skilled in the art upon reading the
details of the devices, methods and systems as more fully described
below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a guide
system of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the guide system of the
present invention in use on a human subject.
[0026] FIG. 3A is a side view of the guide catheter of the system
of FIG. 1.
[0027] FIG. 3B is a cross sectional view through line 3B-3B of FIG.
3A.
[0028] FIG. 3C is a cross sectional view through line 3C-3C of FIG.
3A.
[0029] FIG. 3D is a side view of the endoscope of the system of
FIG. 1.
[0030] FIG. 3E is a cross sectional view through line 3D-3D of FIG.
3C.
[0031] FIG. 3F is a cross-sectional view of a low profile
endoscope.
[0032] FIG. 3G is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a
low profile endoscope.
[0033] FIG. 3H illustrates a steering mechanism provided in an
endoscope that can be operated from a proximal end portion of the
endoscope.
[0034] FIG. 3I illustrates a guide device according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 3J illustrates a distal portion of a guide device
having a removably attached endoscope channel.
[0036] FIG. 3K illustrates a snap fitting that may be used to
releasably attach an endoscope channel to a main tube of a sinus
guide.
[0037] FIG. 3L is a side view of the connector/camera/light cable
assembly of the system of FIG. 1.
[0038] FIG. 4A shows a distal portion of a guide device configured
with a static channel, for accessing a sphenoid sinus.
[0039] FIG. 4B shows a distal portion of a guide device 12
configured with a static channel, for accessing a frontal
sinus.
[0040] FIG. 5A illustrates a partial plan view of guide device
showing one embodiment of a handle.
[0041] FIG. 5B illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of FIG.
5A.
[0042] FIG. 6A illustrates another embodiment of a guide
device.
[0043] FIG. 6B illustrates another embodiment of a guide
device.
[0044] FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate distal end portions of guide devices
having curved sections with each with a different radius of
curvature.
[0045] FIGS. 8A-8D are cross-sectional illustrations showing
various placement locations of an endoscope channel within a main
tube of a guide device.
[0046] FIG. 9A illustrates a guide device having a distal end with
a circular tip.
[0047] FIG. 9B illustrates a guide device having a distal end with
a scooped-tip.
[0048] FIG. 9C illustrates an end view of the device of FIG.
9A.
[0049] FIG. 9D illustrates an end view of the device of FIG.
9B.
[0050] FIG. 10A illustrates the reduced profile of a scooped-tip
device relative to the profile of the device having a circular end
in FIG. 10B.
[0051] FIGS. 10C-10D shown reduced profiles of scooped-tip devices
including a set back endoscope channel.
[0052] FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of a guide device of
the present invention with an optional linking apparatus for
linking the endoscope to a working device to deter divergence of
the endoscope away from the path of the working device.
[0053] FIG. 12 is a side view of a guidewire having an angled
distal tip.
[0054] FIG. 13A shows a step in a method for using a guide system
of the present invention in conjunction with the guidewire of FIG.
10.
[0055] FIG. 13B shows another step in a method for using a guide
system of the present invention in conjunction with the guidewire
of FIG. 10.
[0056] FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a procedure in which a
guide device has been introduced through a nostril and an endoscope
has been delivered through a sinus ostium.
[0057] FIG. 15 illustrates a working device having been inserted
through the guide device of FIG. 14 and into a sinus cavity.
[0058] FIG. 16 illustrates a method in which an endoscope has been
inserted through a lumen of a working device to enter a sinus
cavity.
[0059] FIGS. 17A-17D are illustrations of partial sagittal
sectional views through a human head showing various steps of one
embodiment of a method of gaining access to a paranasal sinus using
a sinus guide.
[0060] FIG. 18 illustrate use of an endoscope inserted through the
guide device for visualization.
[0061] FIG. 19 shows an illuminating guidewire according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0062] FIG. 20 illustrates an end view of a semi-cylindrical
illumination fiber.
[0063] FIG. 21A shows a core support that may be used to support an
illuminating guidewire.
[0064] FIG. 211B shows a core support that may be used to support
an illuminating guidewire.
[0065] FIG. 22A shows an example of a core support formed from an
oval wire.
[0066] FIG. 22B illustrates a proximal end view of the core support
of FIG. 22A.
[0067] FIG. 23A shows a distal portion of a coil having been
stretched to break tension between adjacent coils and to form an
open-pitch portion.
[0068] FIG. 23B illustrates insertion of mandrels and a first core
support into a coil.
[0069] FIG. 23C shows a cross-sectional view taken along line
23C-23C of FIG. 23B.
[0070] FIGS. 24A-24B illustrate the sliding ability of core
supports relative to one another during bending of the coil.
[0071] FIG. 25 illustrates a step of melting a polymer tube into
the open-pitched portion of the coil.
[0072] FIGS. 26A-26B illustrate steps for mounting a connector to a
proximal end of the illuminating guidewire.
[0073] FIG. 27 illustrates insertion of illumination fibers and
formation of a distal lens.
[0074] FIG. 28 illustrate finishing steps at a proximal end of the
illuminating guidewire.
[0075] FIGS. 29A-29B illustrate formation of a preset bend in a
core support.
[0076] FIG. 30 illustrates a resulting bend in an illumination
guidewire employing a core support having a preset bend.
[0077] FIG. 31 illustrates etching the coil.
[0078] FIG. 32 illustrates connection of a light cable to an
illuminating guidewire according to one embodiment.
[0079] FIG. 33 illustrates a light cable having another connector
embodiment.
[0080] FIG. 34 illustrates a light cable having another connector
embodiment.
[0081] FIG. 35 illustrates connection of a light cable to an
illuminating guidewire according to another embodiment.
[0082] FIG. 36 shows an illuminating guidewire according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0083] FIG. 37 illustrates an alternative transparent portion that
may be included in a device shown in FIG. 37.
[0084] FIG. 38 illustrates another alternative transparent portion
that may be included in a device shown in FIG. 37.
[0085] FIGS. 39A-39C are illustrations of partial coronal sectional
views through a human head showing various steps of a method for
inserting an illuminating guidewire into an ostium that opens to a
frontal sinus.
[0086] FIG. 40 illustrates a situation where a scope has been
inserted as far as possible without causing significant trauma to
the patient.
[0087] FIGS. 41-43 show additional embodiments of transnasally
insertable guide systems useable to position an endoscope.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0088] Before the present devices and methods are described, it is
to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular
embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to
be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose
of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to
be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be
limited only by the appended claims.
[0089] Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that
each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit
unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper
and lower limits of that range is also specifically disclosed. Each
smaller range between any stated value or intervening value in a
stated range and any other stated or intervening value in that
stated range is encompassed within the invention. The upper and
lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included
or excluded in the range, and each range where either, neither or
both limits are included in the smaller ranges is also encompassed
within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in
the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of
the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included
limits are also included in the invention.
[0090] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although
any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described
herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present
invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described.
All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by
reference to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in
connection with which the publications are cited.
[0091] It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended
claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural
referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for
example, reference to "a channel" includes a plurality of such
channels and reference to "the endoscope" includes reference to one
or more endoscopes and equivalents thereof known to those skilled
in the art, and so forth.
[0092] The publications discussed herein are provided solely for
their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present
application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that
the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication
by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication
provided may be different from the actual publication dates which
may need to be independently confirmed.
Sinus Guide with Continuous Endoscope Channel
[0093] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a sinus guide system 10 of
the present invention. This sinus guide system 10 comprises a sinus
guide 12 and a camera/transmission/endoscope assembly 14. This
embodiment of the sinus guide 12 is shown in more detail in FIGS.
3A-3C. As shown, this sinus guide 12 comprises a sinus guide body
26 and an endoscope channel 28 in generally side-by-side
arrangement. The sinus guide body 26 comprises a tube 44 having a
lumen 45 (e.g., see FIG. 3B), such as a polymer tube made of
biocompatible polymeric material. A distal end portion 44d, e.g. a
length of about 2 mm may be made of stainless steel, for example,
to increase durability, as illustrated in FIG. 31. Similarly, a
distal end portion 28d of channel 28 can be formed of stainless
steel. Alternatively, channel 28 and/or tube 44 can be formed of
stainless steel along the entire length thereof. Further
alternatively, tube 44 and/or channel 28 may be formed over an
entire length thereof of stainless steel or other biocompatible
metal, except for a polymer distal tip. Optionally, a liner 46
(FIG. 3B) may be disposed within the lumen 45 of the tube 44. Such
liner may be formed of lubricious or smooth material such as
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Also, optionally, a proximal
portion of the tube 44 may be surrounded by an outer tube member 42
formed of material such as stainless steel hypotube. In the
embodiment shown, a distal portion of tube 44 extends out of and
beyond the distal end of outer tube 42. This protruding distal
portion of tube 44 may be straight or curved. Also, it may be
pre-formed at the time of manufacture or malleable to a desired
shape at the time of use. When intended for use in accessing the
ostium of a paranasal sinus, the distal portion of tube 44 may be
curved to form an angle A from about 0 degrees to about 120
degrees. For example, a series of sinus guides 12 having angles A
of 0, 30, 70, 90 and 110 degrees may be provided thereby allowing
the physician to select the sinus guide angle A that is most
appropriate for the particular paranasal sinus ostium to be
accessed. Additionally, in some embodiments, a rotation grip 60 may
be positioned about a proximal portion of the sinus guide 10, as
seen in FIGS. 1, 3A and 3B. This rotation grip 60 may have a smooth
or textured round outer surface (e.g., it may be a cylindrical
tube), or it may have a contoured shape, raised at a distal end
portion thereof (as well as, optionally, raised at a proximal end
thereof), e.g., see FIG. 3I, to prevent slipping of an operator's
hand during pushing (or pulling) on the handle 60. In any case,
handle 60 may be grasped between the fingers of the operator's hand
and easily rotated, thereby facilitating rotation (e.g., rolling)
of the sinus guide 12 as it is being used. Such rotation of the
sinus guide 12 may be desirable for a number of reasons including
but not limited to positioning of the distal end of the sinus guide
12 at a desired location and/or maneuvering the location of an
endoscope 30 that is inserted through the endoscope channel 28.
[0094] The endoscope channel 28 may comprise any structure (e.g.,
tube, track, groove, rail, etc.) capable of guiding the advancement
of a flexible endoscope. In the particular examples shown in these
figures, the endoscope channel 28 comprises a tube (e.g., a polymer
tube or stainless steel tube or combination of polymer and metal,
as noted above) having a lumen 29 extending therethrough. In the
embodiment seen in FIGS. 1-3C, the endoscope channel 28 is attached
to and extends along substantially the entire length of the sinus
guide body 26. In another embodiment, the endoscope channel 28 can
be inside the sinus guide body 26. In other embodiments, such as
described with regard to FIGS. 4A-4C in application Ser. No.
11/647,530, the endoscope channel 28 may be interrupted,
non-continuous or may extend over less than the entire length of
the sinus guide body 26. In the embodiment of FIG. 3I, the channel
28 extends along the majority of the length of guide body tube 44
and has a distal end portion that conforms to and hugs the
curvature of the curved distal end portion of tube 44. However, the
distal end of channel 28 ends proximally of the distal end of tube
44. This setback provides multiple advantages that are described in
more detail below. An outer skin 40 may be heat shrunk or otherwise
disposed around the sinus guide body 26 and endoscope channel 28 to
hold the endoscope channel 28 at a desired position on the outer
surface of the sinus guide body 26. In FIG. 31, heat shrink tube or
overlamination 40 surrounds the tubes 44,28 over a majority of the
length of the straight portions of the tubes. Optionally, all or a
portion of the curved distal end portions of tubes 44,28 may be
surrounded by heat shrink tubing or overlamination 40d. Proximal
end portions of tubes 44,28 are routed through separate channels in
handle 60 that angles the tubes apart as they travel proximally
through handle 60, so that luer fittings 45, at the proximal ends
of tubes 40, 28 are spread apart further to make it easier to
insert tools into the tubes 28, 40 and connect to the luers 45 with
less interference from the other channel 28, 40/luer 45.
Additionally, the luer 45 for tube 28 can be connected to an
irrigation source (saline-filled syringe or other irrigation
source) to input irrigation fluid through the lumen of tube 28 to
deliver fluid across the viewing tip of endoscope 30 having been
inserted in the tube 28, in order to clean the viewing lens. Luer
45 can then be connected to a vacuum source to withdraw the fluid
from the lens. Alternatively, irrigation or vacuum may be applied
separately, to rinse debris off of the lens or the suction debris
off of the lens, respectively. Further alternatively, a
suction/irrigation catheter may be inserted through tube 44 to
perform these same functions. This may be advantageous when the
distal tip of the endoscope 30 has been extended distally of the
end of tube 28 and optionally, distally of tube 44.
[0095] Alternatively, the endoscope channel 28 may be attached to
the sinus guide body 26 at one or more locations by any other
suitable attachment substance, apparatus or technique, including
but not limited to adhesive, soldering, welding, heat fusion,
coextrusion, banding, clipping, etc. The particular circumferential
location of the endoscope channel 28 can be important in some
applications, particularly when the sinus guide body 26 includes a
curve formed in its distal portion 44. In this regard, for some
applications, the endoscope channel 28 may be affixed at a
particular circumferential location on the sinus guide body 26 to
allow a flexible fiber endoscope 30 inserted through the endoscope
channel 28 to provide a view from a desired or optimal vantage
point, without obstruction from adjacent anatomical structures.
This is described in more detail in application Ser. No.
11/647,530. Alternatively, channel 28 may be located interiorly of
the lumen of tube 44, and may be positioned at various locations
circumferentially about the inner wall of the tube 44. FIGS. 8A-8D
show channel 28 mounted to the inner wall of tube 44 at 6 o'clock,
3 o'clock, 12 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions, respectively with
regard to tube 44. It is noted that placement is not limited to the
four relative locations shown, as channel may be positioned
intermediate of any two of the adjacent locations shown.
[0096] The curve in the distal end portion of channel 28d, when
fixed/static with regard to tube 44, must accommodate the rigidity
of a distal tip portion of an endoscope as it is passed
therethrough, as the endoscope 30, although flexible over the
majority of its length, is rigid over a small length extending from
the distal tip that contains a lens. In one example, an endoscope
channel 28 having an inside lumen diameter of about 0.045'' can
accommodate a rigid distal tip length of about 0.125'' on a
flexible endoscope 30 having an outside diameter of about 0.0375''
with the curved portion of the channel 28 having a radius of
curvature as low as about 0.28''. In one particular example, the
radius of curvature is about 0.40''. For an endoscope having a
rigid distal tip length of about 0.150'', channel 28 having an
inside lumen diameter of about 0.045'' can have a curved portion
having a radius of curvature as low as about 0.40'' when the
outside diameter of the endoscope is about 0.0375''. In one
particular example, the radius of curvature is about 0.58'' for the
rigid distal tip length of about 0.150''.
[0097] A camera/cable/endoscope assembly 14 is attachable to arm
43a or the lower luer fitting 45 shown in FIG. 31. In the
particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3L, the
camera/cable/endoscope assembly 14 comprises an adjustable
scope/lock extension 16, an endoscope 18 having an elongate
flexible scope body 30 and integrated light cable 50, a camera 20
and a monitor cable 24. The scope body 30 is advanced through the
scope/lock extension 16 and through the lumen 29 of the endoscope
channel 28. As shown in FIG. 2, the light cable 50 and monitor
cable 24 may be connected to console 34 that houses a monitor 36,
light source 38 and video recorder 40.
[0098] FIGS. 3D and 3E show a flexible endoscope 30 attached to a
proximal body member 52 that engages and attaches to the adjustable
scope/lock extension 16. As seen in the cross section of FIG. 3E,
the scope 30 comprises a flexible shaft having an image fiber
bundle 54 that extends coaxially through the center with light
transmitting fibers 56 disposed about the periphery. In one
embodiment, the flexible shaft is a braided polyimide sheathing
that has a maximum outer diameter of 0.0375 inches and a length of
two feet. The image fiber bundle may be made up of about 10,000
thin image fibers and the light transmitting fibers may be
illumination fibers with a diameter of between about 0.008 and
0.020 inches, with a minimum lux of about 10,000. Preferably, the
distal end of the flexible shaft has a lens with a minimum field of
view of about seventy degrees. FIG. 3F is a cross-sectional
illustration of a flexible endoscope 30 having a low profile
configuration. In this arrangement, the flexible shaft has an image
fiber bundle 54 that extends coaxially through the center of the
shaft with light transmitting fibers 56 disposed laterally of the
image fiber bundle. Although light transmitting fibers are shown
disposed laterally on both sides of image fiber bundle 54, light
transmitting fibers 56 may alternatively be located all on one side
of optical fiber bundle 54, as illustrated n FIG. 3G. With either
of these arrangements, the height profile of the endoscope shaft 30
is reduced which allows channel 28 to, in turn be lower profile,
thereby reducing the cross-sectional size of the device 12 allowing
for it to be more easily advanced through the patient anatomy. For
example, the cross-sectional shape of such a low profile endoscope
30 may be substantially oval, as shown in FIGS. 3F-3G, or
elliptical Additionally this lowered profile makes the shat of
endoscope 30 easier to bend/more flexible when bending in the
direction of the arrows shown, and this may allow for a smaller
radius of curvature in the curved portion of channel 28 when
channel 28 is provided with a curve in a distal portion
thereof.
[0099] FIG. 3H illustrates a steering mechanism provided in
endoscope 30 that can be operated from a proximal end portion of
endoscope 30, outside the patient's body, to steer a distal tip 30d
or portion thereof (e.g., lens barrel 30e) to allow directional
control of the visual field provided by endoscope 30. As shown,
steering mechanism 30s includes a wire extending through endoscope
shaft 30 and attached to a side of lens barrel 30e, so that when
tension is applied via a user pulling on a proximal end portion of
wire 30s, lens barrel 30e is deflected or angularly directed in the
direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 3H. Upon release of tension on
wire 30s, lens barrel 30e resiliently returns to its unbiased
orientation and direction. The unbiased orientation and direction
of lens barrel 30e may be axially aligned with the longitudinal
axis of the endoscope 30 shaft. Alternatively, lens barrel may be
oriented to point angularly away (downward, in FIG. 3H) from the
direction that it is biased toward when tension is applied via
steering mechanism 30e. In this way, an intermediate amount of
tension may be applied to align the lens barrel 30e with the
longitudinal axis of endoscope 30 shaft, and a greater amount of
tension can be applied to steer the lens barrel 30e still further
in that direction (e.g., pointing angularly upwardly in FIG. 3H).
Further alternatively, more than one wire or other steering
actuators 30s may be attached to lens barrel 30e for directionally
pointing the lens barrel 30e. In different directions. As one
non-limiting example, a second wire 30s can be mounted on an
opposite side of lens barrel 30e to the side in which the first
wire 30s is shown mounted in FIG. 3H. As another example, four
wires 30s can be mounted at ninety degree intervals around the
circumference of barrel 30e. Further arrangements for controlling
along different directions may also be provided, as would be
apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, after reading the
above description.
[0100] FIG. 3J is a partial view of a sinus guide 12 in which
channel 28 is detachable from tube 44. For example, channel 28 may
be attachable to and detachable from tube 44 via snap fit, such as
by assembling one or more snap fittings 51 on tube 44. Snap fitting
51 includes an enclosed lumen 441 through which tube 44 is
received, and which forms a friction fit with tube 44, and a lumen
281 with an opening that allows channel 28 to be inserted
therethrough. The width of the opening 280 is less than the outside
diameter of channel 28, so that when channel 28 is pushed
therethrough, the legs on opposite sides of the opening 28o are
deformed outwardly to allow tube to pass therethrough. When channel
28 has seated in lumen 281, the legs resiliently snap back into the
configuration shown in FIG. 3K, thereby retaining tube in lumen 281
by a snap fit. Alternatively, lumen 281 can be enclosed and lumen
441 provided with an opening, in which case snap fitting 51 would
be slid longitudinally over channel 28 to form a friction fit
therewith and tube 44 would be inserted through an opening to
perform the snap fit. Further alternatively, channel 28 may be
provided as attachable and detachable to and from tube 44 via hook
and loop type fasteners, adhesives that remain sticky and are thus
reusable, or other quick release mechanical fasteners.
[0101] The provision of attachable/detachable tube 48 makes it
easier to match the curve of the distal end portion of channel 28
to the rigidity characteristics of the endoscope 30 to be inserted
therethrough, particularly the length of the rigid distal tip
portion. Thus, for example, a kit of tubes 28 having distal end
portions of varying curvatures (and, optionally, having varying
lumen diameters) may be provided so that an appropriate channel 28
can be selected by a surgeon to accommodate the rigidity
characteristics of the particular endoscope to be inserted
therethrough, and then the selected tube can be attached to tube
44.
[0102] Alternatively, channel 28 may be inserted independently of
tube 44, which may make it easier to locate the distal end portion
of channel 28 in a target cavity. However, when used separately,
this requires use of a second hand, one to manipulate tube 44 and a
second to manipulate channel 28.
[0103] As noted above, the distal end of channel 28 can end
proximally of the location of the distal end of tube 44, so that
the distal end of channel 28 is located proximally of the distal
end of tube 44 by a setback distance 53. Setback distance 53 may be
about one mm to about four mm, typically about two mm, for sinus
guides having statically placed tubes 28. As noted above, placement
of channel 28 on a relative location about the circumference of
tube 44 may vary, for example for various uses in the frontal,
maxillary and/or sphenoid sinuses. Setback 53 allows the distal end
of endoscope 30 to be advanced distally beyond the distal end of
channel 28 without extending distally beyond the distal end of
guide body tube 44, thereby adding protection to the distal end of
the endoscope 30 while allowing better visualization when the tip
is distally extended from the distal end of channel 28. This can be
particularly advantageous during advancement of the device 12, for
example.
[0104] Additionally, setback 53 also reduces the distal profile of
the guide device 12, facilitating entry and passage through smaller
openings than allowable by a device that has a distal tip cross
sectional area formed by the combined cross sectional areas of tube
44 and channel 28. Setback 53 also provides a tapering effect,
reducing the physical impact from endoscope channel 28 as it is
traversed through the patient's anatomy.
[0105] A distal end portion of channel 28 (including at least
distal tip portion 28d, but which may extend proximally thereof)
may be colored with a color that contrasts with a color of the
remainder of the channel. This provides visible notice to the user,
during traversal of endoscope 30 over or through channel 28, when
the viewing (distal) tip of endoscope 30 has reached the portion
having the contrasting color, as the contrasting color can be
visualized on the inner wall surface of the channel (e.g., lumen),
so that the user is aware that the tip of the endoscope is about to
be delivered distally of the distal end of channel 28. This is
possible even when channel 28 is a stainless steel tube. As the
scope 30 travel through the steel tube 28, even abrasions in the
steel on the inner surface (lumen) are visible. When the endoscope
transitions from the steel tube 28 to the polymer atraumatic tip
that is colored with a contrasting color, a colored ring is
visible, which is the inner wall surface of the colored polymer
distal tip 28d. Additionally, or alternatively, a distal tip
portion of tube 44 can be colored with a contrasting color so that
this can be visualized as the distal tip of endoscope is exiting
the distal end of channel 28, especially in situations where the
distal end of channel 28 is proximally set back from the distal end
of tube 44.
[0106] The distal tip of channel 28d is preferably formed as an
atraumatic tip, having a rounded distal edge. As noted, tip 28d may
be formed of stainless steel or other hard material. In this case
the rounded edge makes the tip more atraumatic. Alternatively, tip
28d may be formed of a softer material such as PEBAX.TM.,
SANOPRENE.TM. (synthetic rubber), silicone, PELLETHANE.TM.
(thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers), or other soft plastic,
which, when formed with a rounded distal edge, even further
increases atraumaticity. By providing the atraumatic distal edge,
the helps prevent cutting and other damage to tissues as guide
device 12 is advanced through the patient's anatomy, which may
include pushing through tissue, where the atraumatic tip(s) act
more like blunt dissectors than cutting instruments. The distal tip
of tube 44 can be formed similarly to any of the embodiments of the
atraumatic distal tip of channel 28 described above. FIG. 4A shows
a distal portion of device 12 configured with a static channel 28,
for accessing a sphenoid sinus, for example, having tube 44 and
channel 28 provided with atraumatic, rounded tips, and wherein a
distal tip portion 28d of channel 28 is colored with a color that
contrasts with a portion of channel 28 immediately proximal of tip
28d. FIG. 4B shows a distal portion of device 12 configured with a
static channel 28, for accessing a frontal sinus, for example,
having tube 44 and channel 28 provided with atraumatic, rounded
tips, and wherein a distal tip portion 28d of channel 28 is colored
with a color that contrasts with a portion of channel 28
immediately proximal of tip 28d.
[0107] FIG. 5A illustrates a partial plan view of device 12 showing
one embodiment of handle 60. FIG. 5B illustrates a longitudinal
sectional view of FIG. 5A. Handle 60 accommodates channel 28 and
tube 44 to pass therethrough and extend proximally thereof to join
with connectors 45. Handle 60 may be molded over tube 44 and
channel 28 in the configuration shown, or may be molded separately
with channels configured and dimensioned to receive channel 28 and
tube 44 therethrough (e.g., molded in halves and then assembled
over the tube 44 and channel 28, using screws, clamps, adhesives,
press fitting, and/or other connectors). Alternatively, the handle
can be molded or machined as one piece and the lumens can then be
slid into place and fixed with adhesive and/or threaded connection,
etc. Handle 60 is shaped to fit a user's hand, and to be easily
rotated by the user. Accordingly, handle 60 may be substantially
barrel-shaped, cylindrical, or other shape that lends itself to
rotation about its longitudinal axis (e.g., rounded about the
longitudinal axis, or octagonal or other extruded polygonal
cross-section).
[0108] The outer surface of handle 60 can be smooth for easy
sliding within the hand, or can be provided with a roughened
surface to enhance the grip, for pushing on the handle 60 and/or
torquing it. The distal end portion is formed with an uplift,
"bump" or increased cross-sectional area 60b, relative to the mid
portion of the handle, to act as a stop against the hand of the
user, thereby preventing the hand from sliding distally off of the
handle 60 during use.
[0109] Channel 28 is guided away from tube 44 at the proximal end
portions thereof, such as by an angled or curved channel 60c that
directs the proximal end portion of channel 28 away from tube 44 as
channel 28 passes through the channel 60c. This provides greater
separation between the connectors 45, facilitating easier insertion
of endoscope into channel 28 and tools or devices (e.g., balloon
catheter, or any of the other devices or tools described herein or
in application Ser. Nos. 11/647,530; 11/522,497; 11/193,020;
10/829,917; 11/116,118; and/or 11/150,847; without interference
from the other connector 45. Bend or curve 60c also creates force
feedback and acts as a frictional braking system as endoscope 30 is
advanced through channel 28 at the location of the bend or curve in
channel 60c, facilitating greater control of the advancement of the
endoscope 30 by the user, with less risk of inserting too quickly
or impulsively, or overshooting the amount of insertion.
Additionally, this helps maintain the endoscope in longitudinal
position relative to channel 28 even when an additional locking
mechanism or valve is not provided.
[0110] Both tube 44 and channel 28 may be provided with a luer
connector 45 on proximal ends thereof, to allow for attachment of a
syringe for flushing, or attachment of other tools. A Touhy valve
or other valve can be alternatively fitted on the proximal end of
channel 28 to facilitate locking of the endoscope 30 in a position
relative to channel 28. Further alternatively, a Y-adapter may be
fitted to the proximal end of channel 28 to permit fixation of luer
45 to one arm of the Y and a valve to the other arm. Numerous other
accessories can be attached to either channel 28 or tube 44,
including drip systems, pop-off valves, etc.
[0111] FIG. 6A illustrates an embodiment of sinus guide device 12
wherein endoscope channel 28 is fixed relative to handle 60 and
tube 44 is rotatable about its longitudinal axis within handle 60.
Accordingly, the location of channel 28 relative to tube 44 can be
varied by rotating handle 60 and holding the luer connector 45 that
connects to tube 44 stationary as the handle 60 is rotated. This
causes channel 28 to revolve about the longitudinal axis of tube
44, thereby repositioning the radial position of channel 28
relative to tube 44. For example, with channel 28 in a radial
position at the top of tube 44 as illustrated in FIG. 6A, luer 45
connected to tube 44 can be grasped and prevented from rotating
while rotating handle 60. By rotating handle 60 by 180 degrees,
this results in channel 28 being positioned at the bottom side of
tube 44. This rotatability to reposition channel 28 provides
re-orientation of the view provided through endoscope 30 that is
positioned through or over channel 28. The channel in handle 60
receiving tube 44 provides some frictional resistance to rotation
of tube 44 relative thereto, so that tube 44 will not rotate
relative to handle 60 during use of device 12, except when the user
deliberately holds the connector 45 or tube 44 to prevent it from
rotating and then rotates handle 60. FIG. 6A also shows channel 28
having a distal tip positioned proximally of the curved section of
tube 44. This may be advantageous for example, for use in the
maxillary sinus, to provide a larger, or wider angle view of the
maxillary sinus by setting the distal tip of channel 28 proximally
away from the curve. It is noted that the rotatability functions
and features described with regard to FIG. 6A are not limited to
this embodiment with a shortened channel 28, For example, this
rotatability can also be provided with a device 12 like that shown
in FIG. 4A.
[0112] FIG. 6B illustrates a variation of a rotatable device 12. In
this arrangement, a second handle 61 is provided proximally of
handle 60. Handle 61 is fixed relative to tube 44, so that the user
can hold handle 61 to prevent it and the tube 44 from rotating as
the user rotates handle 60 to revolve channel 28 about tube 44.
Optionally, handle 61 may be spring-biased into contact with handle
60 to act as a brake to prevent handle 60 from rotating relative to
handle 61. In order to perform a rotation in this case, the user
pulls handle 61 proximally out of contact with handle 60 to relieve
the braking force and allow the user to rotate handle 60 while
holding handle 61 stationary. Further optionally, the frictional
force imposed by handle 61 against handle 60 may be great enough to
prevent relative rotation during use of device 12, but can be
overcome by the user twisting on handle 60 and holding handle 61
stationary, without the need to retract or reposition handle 61
relative to handle 60. As with the embodiment of FIG. 6A, the
embodiments of the rotational features described with regard to
FIG. 6B can be employed in other guide device 12 embodiments, and
are not limited to a device having a channel 12 that ends
proximally of a bend in tube 44.
[0113] For devices 12 in which distal end portions of tube 44 and
channel 28 are curved, and channel 28 comprises a tube, the radius
of curvature can be designed to readily allow the endoscope 30 (and
particularly the distal tip portion that includes the lens, which
may be rigid) to move through the lumen of tube 28 and around the
curve without the need to increase the inside diameter of the
lumen, so that the lumen can be designed with a inside diameter
having only a small tolerance around the outside diameter of
endoscope 30. Typically, standard 18 gauge hypotube is used having
an outside diameter of about 0.050''. The wall thickness selected
is as thin as possible, to maximize the inside diameter of the tube
without risking buckling of the tube. Typically the wall thickness
is about 0.003''. In one particular example, the tube is 18 Gauge
UTS with an outside diameter of 0.050''+0.001''/-0.0005'', with an
inside diameter of about 0.044'' and therefore a tolerance of about
+0.00 15/-0.001''. Alternatively, the inside diameter of tube 28
can be increased if the curvature of the distal end portion is
required to have a radius of curvature that would not allow
endoscope to pass otherwise. The amount of curvature that can be
successfully used with a lumen of normal tolerance relative to the
outside diameter of endoscope 30 will also vary with the degree of
flexibility of the endoscope 30 and the length of the lens barrel
30e. In other words, the longer that the stiff section (lens barrel
and adhesive) is, the bigger is the required inside diameter of
tube 28 and/or the bigger the required radius of curvature of a
bend in a tube 28 to allow easy passage of the stiff section. FIGS.
7A-7C illustrate exemplary distal end portions of devices 12 in
which the curvatures of tubes 28,40 are varied, wherein the larger
the radius of curvature, the easier it is to pass endoscope
therethrough, with all other variables being constant. In FIG. 7A,
the radius of curvature is about 0.25 inches, in FIG. 7B, the
radius of curvature is about 0.5 inches, and in FIG. 7C, the radius
of curvature is about 0.75 inches. The insider diameters of the
tubes 28 in these examples are 0.044''+0.0015''/-0.001''.
[0114] In order to reduce the distal end profile of the guide
device 12, tube 44 may be provided with a non-circular
cross-section at the distal end thereof. By reducing the distal end
profile, this facilitates entry and passage through smaller
openings or relatively more constrained spaces, such a may be
encountered in the passages leading to the frontal or maxillary
sinuses, or other spaces relatively constrained by the patient's
anatomy, as the reduced cross-sectional profile of the distal end
of tube 44 is more readily able to be introduced into and smaller
or partially obstructed spaces, compared to tubes having a full
circular distal end cross-section. FIG. 9A illustrates tube 44
having a standard, circular cross-section at its distal end. FIG.
9B illustrates tube 44 having a reduced cross-sectional area at its
distal end, in this case formed by a scooped-tip 44t. Because a
portion of the distal end of tube 44 is cut away to form the
scooped tip, the profile of the distal end of tip 44t is
significantly less than that of the tube 44, as illustrated by
comparing FIGS. 9C and 9D, which illustrate the distal end profiles
of the tube 44 in FIGS. 9A and 9B, respectively. Accordingly, the
cross-sectional profile of the scooped tip 44t tapers down from
that of a circular profile, at a proximal end of the scooped tip
44t, to a semi-circle or less at the distal end of the scooped tip
44t. In addition to the advantages noted above, a tube 44 having
reduced-profile tip, such as a scooped-tip 44t, for example, may
facilitate entry into, or closer position to ostia by the distal
end of a guide device 12. The scooped tip 44t design may also
facilitate balloon retraction (of a balloon catheter), back into
tube 44 after performing an ostial dilatation procedure, for
example.
[0115] In particular, with regard to the maxillary sinus, the
tapered cross-section provided by scooped tip 44t allows the distal
end of tube 12 to be easily passed behind the uncinate process. In
the frontal recess, the scooped tip 44t may provide additional
freedom of movement of device 12.
[0116] In addition to providing a significantly reduced
cross-sectional area at the distal end, scooped tip 44t of FIG. 9B
also provides a larger opening than the circular opening of the
standard tube end, like shown in FIG. 9A, for tubes 44 having the
same inside diameter. Accordingly, as mentioned above, this may
make it easier to retract a balloon portion of a balloon catheter
back into the lumen of tube 44, e.g., after performing a dilatation
procedure and deflating the balloon. Additionally, the curvature of
the sides of the scope shape, tapering down to the proximal end of
the scoop shape can facilitate folding of the balloon as it is
retracted into the lumen of tube 44.
[0117] The scooped tip 44t can be provided on a guide device 12
that does not include an endoscope channel, as illustrated above
with regard to FIG. 9B. Further the advantages discussed above can
also be provided to a guide device 12 that does include a channel
28 integrated therewith. The channel 28 may be fixed relative to
tube 44 and may be removably fixed, as described previously. FIG.
10A illustrates an example of guide device 12 having a fixed
channel 28 that extends so that the distal end of channel 28 is
substantially flush with the distal end of scooped tip 44t.
Although this arrangement is not preferred as it is preferred to
provide a setback, even with this arrangement, the reduced
cross-sectional profile at the end of scooped tip 44t compensates,
or helps to compensate for the additional cross-section profile of
the end of channel 28. That is, the cross sectional dimension
12.times.1 is less than the cross-sectional dimension 12.times.2
measured across the distal ends of tubes 44 and 28 when tube 44 has
a circular profile distal end as shown in FIG. 10B.
[0118] An even greater advantage in reducing the distal end profile
of a device 12 having both tube 44 and channel 28 can be obtained
by orienting the distal end of channel 28 with a setback 53 as
described above and as illustrated in FIGS. 10C and 10D. Regardless
of whether the bend in the tube 44 and channel 28 is an acute angle
or an obtuse angle (or right angle), the distal end cross-sectional
dimension 12.times.1 is greatly reduced relative to 12.times.2 in
FIG. 10B, and even the cross-sectional dimension 12.times.3 that
includes the profile of channel 28, but is set back from the distal
end of device 12, is reduced relative to 12.times.2.
Optional Linkage of Endoscope to Working Device
[0119] In some applications, it may be desirable to advance the
flexible endoscope 30 out of and beyond the distal end of the
endoscope channel 28, 28d, and even beyond the distal end of tube
44. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the endoscope 30 may
sometimes be advanced along side a working device, such as a
guidewire 110, so as to view the advancement, positioning and/or
use of the working device. In such instances, it is desirable to
prevent the endoscope from diverging away from the working device
and/or to maintain the endoscope 30 at a specific spaced distance
away from the working device. To accomplish this, an optional
linkage device 62 may be used to link (e.g., couple, connect or
attach) the endoscope 30 to the guidewire 110 or other working
device. Other working devices that may be inserted through tube 44,
and optionally linked to endoscope 30 via linkage device 62,
include, but are not limited to: graspers, catheters, instrument or
other device useable to perform or facilitate a therapeutic or
diagnostic task such as local or regional drug delivery, biopsy,
suction, irrigation, polyp removal, fungal ball removal or other
mass removal.
Operation and Positioning of the Endoscope and Working Device
[0120] As noted, the flexible fiber endoscope 30 may be freely
advanced to or beyond the end of the sinus guide 12 and retracted
during use, in order to facilitate endoscopic viewing of the
desired anatomical structures and/or to view, guide and/or verify
the positioning of the sinus guide device 12 or a working device
that has been inserted through the sinus guide. The ability to
advance the tip of the flexible fiber endoscope 30 beyond the end
of the sinus guide allows the tip to be positioned closer to
anatomy or to reach spaces in the paranasal sinuses that the sinus
guide tip cannot travel to due to size constraints.
[0121] In some instances, it may be desired to advance a guidewire
110 into or through a specific body opening, such as an opening of
a paranasal sinus. In such applications, as shown in FIG. 12, it is
sometimes desirable to form a bend in the guidewire 110 near its
distal end DE so that rotation of the guidewire in situ will
redirect its distal end DE. The guidewire may be maneuvered into
the opening by simply rotating the guidewire 110. FIGS. 13A and 13B
show an example of such a procedure, wherein the guide device 12 is
advanced to a position where its distal end is a spaced distance D
from the opening O into which the guidewire 110 is to be inserted.
In some instances, the user may use fluoroscopy and/or a surgical
navigation system to position the guide device as described in
previous applications to which this application claims priority and
which have been incorporated herein by reference. With the guide
device 12 so positioned, an endoscope inserted through the
endoscope channel 28 may be used to view the distal end DE of the
guidewire 110 as it advances out of the distal end of the sinus
guide body tube 44. With the flexible endoscope 30 so positioned,
the user has a view generally along the same axis as the distal
opening of the guide device, rather than the proximal axis of the
guide device. Furthermore the view can be from behind anatomy that
normally would block a conventional endoscope view. In FIG. 13A,
the view provided by the endoscope allows the operator to see that
the distal end of the guidewire 110 is not directed into the
opening O. As a result, the operator may rotate the guidewire 110
causing its distal end DE to be directed into the opening O as
verified by the view provided from the endoscope. Thus, in these
sorts of applications, it is desirable to place the distal end of
the sinus guide device 12 at a spaced distance D back from the
opening O rather than advancing it to a point where the distal end
of the sinus guide body is immediately adjacent to or within the
opening O. In an alternative embodiment, the guidewire can be an
illuminating guidewire as described in co-pending application Ser.
Nos. 11/522,497 and 11/647,530, or as described herein.
Use of Flexible Endoscope with Intra-Sinus Procedures
[0122] Many current FESS procedures are performed to open sinus
ostia. Also, balloon dilatation of sinus ostia can be performed in
a balloon sinuplasty procedure, embodiments of which have been
discussed previously in co-pending applications incorporated by
reference herein. The flexible endoscopes described herein can be
utilized, with or without guide device 12 to facilitate direct
visualization of such procedures.
[0123] However, until now, the number of procedures performed
inside a sinus cavity have been limited, due to challenges with
visualizing such procedures, since direct visualization was not
possible, due to the prohibitive profile sizes and rigidity of
endoscopes conventionally used in the procedures. The current
invention provides flexible endoscopes 30 as small as about one mm
outside diameter and may be semi-rigid. This small outside diameter
of endoscope 30 permits it to be inserted through an ostium either
pre- or post-dilation of the ostium to provide direct visualization
inside the sinus cavity. This visualization capability may
therefore facilitate direct viewing of intra-sinus therapies,
treatments and procedures.
[0124] FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a procedure in which sinus
guide device 12 has been introduced through a nostril 2 of a
patient 1 and through a nasal cavity to a location close to an
ostium 1014 of a sinus 1016. Endoscope 30 may be used in a position
where the distal tip of the endoscope is flush with the opening 28d
of channel 28, extends distally beyond distal end 28d, but not
distally beyond the distal end of tube 44, or slightly distally
beyond the distal end of tube 44 to provide direct visualization of
a procedure to dilate the ostium 1014, for example. In some cases,
intra-sinus procedures may be commenced without dilating the ostium
1014. Accordingly, either without dilatation of the ostium 1014, or
before of after dilatation of ostium 1014, endoscope 30 is further
distally advanced through the ostium to position the distal viewing
tip of the endoscope within the sinus 1016, as shown in FIG. 14. A
variety of therapies may be delivered into the sinus with direct
visualization thereof provided by endoscope 30 positioned in the
sinus 1016, including, but not limited to: local or regional drug
delivery, biopsy, suction, irrigation, polyp removal, fungal ball
removal and/or removal of other mass. Endoscope 30, when positioned
in a sinus 1016 may also be useful for intra-sinus diagnosis to
assess an underlying disease, to evaluate ciliary function by
viewing transport of a dyed fluid, or other diagnostic procedure.
These therapeutic and diagnostic procedures may additionally be
facilitated by insertion of one or more tools, instrument or
devices through the lumen of tube 44 to deliver a working end
portion of the tool, device or instrument through the ostium 1014
and into the sinus 1016. A variety of tools, instruments or devices
may be inserted through tube 44, including, but not limited to:
graspers, cutters, punches, flexible microdebriders, dissectors,
electrodes for energy delivery (RF, heat, cryotherapy, ultrasound,
or microwave), lasers, suction catheters, irrigation catheters,
balloon catheters, etc.
[0125] FIG. 15 illustrates an intra-sinus procedural step in which
endoscope 30 has been positioned intra-sinusly, in sinus 1016 in a
manner as described above with regard to FIG. 12. Additionally a
flexible graspers instrument 1007 has been inserted through a lumen
of tube 44 and advanced to deliver the distal, working end into the
sinus 1016. By viewing the working end of the graspers 1007 through
endoscope 30, and operator can advance the working end and operate
the grasping jaws 1007j to approach a mass 1016m in the sinus that
is desired to be removed position the jaws 1007 around the mass
1016m or a portion thereof and clamp the jaws to capture the mass
1016m or a portion thereof. By then retracting tool 1007, the mass
1016m or a portion thereof that has been captured by jaws 1007j can
be withdrawn through ostium 1014, with visualization of all of
these steps being facilitated through endoscope 30. The mass 1007j
or a portion thereof having been captured and torn away or
otherwise removed from the sinus 1016 and through ostium 1014 is
then withdrawn through tube 44. Alternatively, viewing of
retraction of the mass into the tube 44 can be performed by
retracting the distal end of endoscope 30 to a location just
proximal of ostium 1014 or just proximal of the distal end of tube
44. Further alternatively, if the mass 1016m is too large to be
retracted through tube 44, device 12 can be removed simultaneously
with the removal of tool 1007 and the mass 1016m.
[0126] It is noted that FIG. 15 is only one example of procedures
that can be performed intra-sinusly and that the present invention
is by no means limited to this procedure, as many other procedures
can be performed, some examples of which were listed above.
[0127] FIG. 16 illustrates an alternative procedure in which
endoscope 30 is inserted through a lumen of a tool, device or
instrument having been inserted through tube 44 of guide device 12
and into a sinus cavity 1016. In the example shown, endoscope 30
has been inserted through the lumen of an irrigation catheter 330.
Note also that device 12 may include an integrated endoscope
channel 28, but need not, since endoscope is delivered through the
same lumen in tube 44 that the working tool is delivered through.
In the example shown in FIG. 16, device 12 does not include an
endoscope channel 28. It is further noted that this technique is
not limited to insertion of endoscope 30 through an irrigation
catheter, as endoscope 30 may be similarly inserted through any
other tool, instrument or device having been inserted through tube
44 and which has a lumen with a sufficient inside diameter to allow
endoscope 30 to pass therethrough. Also, although reference here is
made to the tool, instrument or device having a distal end portion
inserted into a sinus cavity 1016, endoscope 30 may be used
similarly to view locations outside of an ostium 1014, when the
distal end of the tool, instrument or device ahs not been inserted
through the ostium, or to view some other cavity or space, for
example.
[0128] In the example shown, an irrigation procedure is first
performed in the sinus 1016 prior to insertion of endoscope 30 into
the lumen of the irrigation catheter 330. In this particular
example, irrigation catheter has a lumen having a diameter of about
0.050'' and endoscope 30 has an outside diameter of about 0.0375''.
Accordingly, after performing irrigation with the distal end of
irrigation catheter 330 in the sinus 16, endoscope 30 is inserted
through the lumen of the irrigation catheter 330 and advanced to
deliver the distal (viewing) tip into the sinus cavity 1016, as
shown. The user can then view through endoscope 30 to confirm
whether the sinus 1016 has been cleaned out sufficiently by the
irrigation process, and/or to inspect the sinus for other potential
issues or ailments that might be addressed.
Illuminating Guidewire
[0129] FIGS. 17A through 17D are illustrations of partial sagittal
sectional views through a human head showing various steps of one
embodiment of a method of gaining access to a paranasal sinus using
a sinus guide 12. In FIG. 17A, a first introducing device in the
form of a sinus guide 12 is introduced through a nostril and
through a nasal cavity 1012 to a location close to an ostium 1014
of a sphenoid sinus 1016. Sinus guide 12 may be straight,
malleable, or it may incorporate one or more preformed curves or
bends as further described above, as well as in U.S. Patent
Publication Nos. 2006/004323; 2006/0063973; and 2006/0095066, for
example, each of which are incorporated herein, in their
entireties, by reference thereto. In embodiments where sinus guide
12 is curved or bent, the deflection angle of the curve or bend may
be in the range of up to about 135 degrees.
[0130] In FIG. 17B, a second introduction device comprising a
guidewire 110 is introduced through the first introduction device
(i.e., sinus guide 12) and advanced so that the distal end portion
of guidewire 110 enters the sphenoid sinus 1016 through the ostium
1014.
[0131] In FIG. 17C, a working device 1006, for example a balloon
catheter 100, is introduced over guidewire 110 and advanced to
extend the distal end portion of device 1006, 100 into the sphenoid
sinus 1016. Thereafter, in FIG. 17D, working device 1006, 100 is
used to perform a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure. In this
particular example, the procedure is dilatation of the sphenoid
sinus ostium 1014, as is illustrated in FIG. 17D, where the balloon
of device 1006 is expanded to enlarge the opening of the ostium
1014. After completion of the procedure, sinus guide 12, guidewire
110 and working device 1006, 100 are withdrawn and removed. It will
be appreciated that the present invention may also be used to
dilate or modify any sinus ostium or other man-made or naturally
occurring anatomical opening or passageway within the nose,
paranasal sinuses, nasopharynx or adjacent areas. As will also be
appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, in this or any
of the procedures described in this patent application, the
operator may additionally advance other types of catheters, and
that guidewire 110 may be steerable (e.g. torquable, actively
deformable) or shapeable or malleable.
[0132] FIGS. 17B-17D show endoscope 30 having been inserted through
channel 28 to provide visualization of advancement of sinus guide
12 and/or inserted alongside sinus guide 12 to provide
visualization of all or at least a portion of working tool 1006,
100. It is to be appreciated that scope 30 may comprise any
suitable types of rigid or flexible endoscope and such optional
scope may be separate from or incorporated into the working devices
and/or introduction devices of the present invention, as further
described herein. In one preferred embodiment, endoscope 30 is a
flexible fiber endoscope 30 as described herein.
[0133] In cases where a scope 30 provided is not capable of being
inserted into a particular sinus cavity of interest, or to extend
the view of endoscope or otherwise assist visualization through the
endoscope, and/or to provide visualization for guiding guidewire
110 into the sinus cavity either prior to insertion of endoscope in
the cavity or where endoscope 30 is incapable of being inserted
into that particular cavity, an illumination guidewire 110 may be
utilized to enhance visualization.
[0134] Further, depending upon the particular configuration of the
sinus passageways to be traversed to gain access to a target
ostium, the scope 30, due to physical limitations (e.g., outside
diameter, degree of rigidity, etc.) may be unable to visualize as
deep as the location of the ostium of interest. For example, FIG.
18 illustrates a situation where scope 30 has been inserted as far
as possible without causing significant trauma to the patient. The
range of adequately illuminated visibility in this case does not
extend all the way to ostium 1020, as indicated schematically by
the rays 1009 shown extending distally from scope 30. In this case,
adequately illuminated visualization of guidewire 110 into ostium
1020 would not be possible via scope 30. Additionally, if sinus
guide 12 is physically capable of being extended further distally
to place the distal end thereof at the approach to ostium 1020,
scope 30 would also not be capable of adequately visualizing this.
Thus, prior to the provision of an illuminated guidewire 110 as
described herein, fluoroscopic or other x-ray visualization of
these procedures was required, in order to ensure that the devices
approach (and extend through) the appropriate ostium 1020 and not
another adjacent opening, such as opening 1024.
[0135] In order to overcome these and other problems, the guidewire
devices 110 of the present invention include their own light
emitting capability. By illuminating a distal end portion of
guidewire 110, a process known as transillumination occurs as
guidewire 110 traverses through the sinus passageways, passes
through an ostium and enters a sinus cavity. Transillumination
refers to the passing of light through the walls of a body part or
organ. Thus, when guidewire 110 is located in a sinus, the light
emitted from guidewire 110 passes through the facial structures and
appears as a glowing region on the skin (e.g., face) of the
patient. It is noted that the light emitted from scope 30, such as
positioned in FIG. 18, for example, results in transillumination as
well, but the resultant glow is much more diffuse and larger in
area. As the light source in guidewire 110 gets closer to the
surface of the structure that it is inserted into (e.g., the
surface of the sinus), the transillumination effect becomes
brighter and more focused (i.e., smaller in area). Additionally,
the movements of the guidewire 110 can be tracked by following the
movements of the transillumination spot produced on the skin of the
patient. For example, the light emission portion of illumination
guidewire can cause transillumination as guidewire 110 is being
manipulated to gain access to an ostium and sinus. By tracking
movements of a transillumination spot that moves as the
illuminating portion of the guidewire 110 is moved during the
manipulation, this can provide feedback to the user about steering
an positioning and whether or not they are successful in entering
through the ostium and into the sinus of interest. For example,
transillumination may be visible on the bridge of the nose when
gaining access to the frontal sinus. If the user positions the
illuminating guidewire 110 medially, transillumination may show in
the medial aspect. As the user looks for the frontal recess, he may
then move the illuminating guidewire 110 laterally.
Transillumination can then confirm that the distal end portion of
the guidewire has indeed been moved laterally, as the user tracks
the lateral movement of the illumination spot.
[0136] FIG. 19 shows an illuminating guidewire 110 according to one
embodiment of the present invention. Device 110 includes a flexible
distal end portion 100d that provides a similar degree of
flexibility to a standard, non-illuminating type of guidewire.
Distal end portion 110d may include a coil 110c as an exterior
portion thereof, to help provide the desired flexibility to this
portion. The proximal end portion 110p of device 110 extends the
device to provide a sufficient length so that device 110 extends
proximally out of the patient (and, when inserted through another
device, such as a sinus guide 12, proximally out of the device into
which guidewire 110 is inserted), at all times, including the
deepest location into which the distal end of device 110 is placed.
The proximal end portion 110p can have visible markings, preferably
spaced at equal intervals, that can be observed by the user to
confirm how far the guidewire 110 has been placed in the patient.
Proximal end portion 110p also provides the necessary mechanical
properties required to make the guidewire function properly. These
mechanical properties include torquability, i.e., the ability to
torque the proximal end portion 110p from a location outside of the
patient and have that torque transmitted to the distal end portion
110p; pushability, i.e., sufficient rigidity, so that when an
operator pushes on the proximal end portion 110p from a location
outside of the patient, the pushing force transmits to the distal
portion 110d to advance the distal portion 110p without buckling
the device 110; and tensile strength so that an operator can pull
on the proximal end portion 110p from a location outside of the
patient and withdraw device 110 from the patient without
significant plastic deformation or any disintegration of the
device.
[0137] Coil 110c may be formed from a stainless steel wire, for
example. The diameter of the coil wire can be between about 0.004
and about 0.008 inches, typically about 0.006 inches. In one
particular embodiment, coil 110c is made of stainless steel wire
having a diameter of about 0.006 inches, coiled into a coil having
an outside diameter of about 0.033 inches. Use of wire having a
larger diameter provides added strength to the coil, but at the
same time requires a larger outside diameter coil, which makes the
overall device 110 more difficult to advance through small
openings, but also allows more space in the inside diameter of the
coil. Alternative materials from which coil 110c may be formed
include, but are not limited to: ELGILOY.RTM., CONICHROME.RTM. or
other biocompatible cobalt-chromium-nickel alloy; nickel-titanium
alloys, or other known biocompatible metal alloys having similar
characteristics. Further alternatively, distal end portion may
comprise a braided metallic construction of any of the
aforementioned materials in lieu of a coil.
[0138] The external casing of the proximal portion 110p can be made
from a polyimide sheath, a continuous coil (optionally embedded in
polymer or having polymer laminated thereon), a hypotube (e.g.,
stainless steel hypotube), a laser-cut hypotube, a cable tube, or a
tube made from PEBAX.RTM. (nylon resin) or other medical grade
resin. In any of these cases the construction needs to meet the
required torquability, pushability and tensile requirements of the
device.
[0139] In the example shown, coil 110c is joined to proximal
portion 110p by solder, epoxy or other adhesive or mechanical
joint. One or more illumination channels 110i are provided in
device 110 and extend the length thereof. Illumination channels
110i are configured to transport light from the proximal end of
device 110 to and out of the distal end of device 110. In the
example shown, two illumination channels are provided, each
comprising a plastic illumination fiber. The plastic used to make
the illumination fibers is compounded for light transmission
properties according to techniques known and available in the art.
As one example, ESKA.TM. (Mitsubishi Rayon), a high performance
plastic optical fiber may be used, which has a concentric
double-layer structure with high-purity polymethyl methacrylate
(PMMA) core and a thin layer of specially selected transparent
fluorine polymer cladding. In one example, illumination fibers each
have an outside diameter of about 0.010''. In one example, two
acrylic light fibers each having an outside diameter of about
0.10'' are used. The illumination fibers can have an outside
diameter in the range of about 0.005 inches to about 0.010 inches.
Alternatively, a single plastic illumination fiber 101 may be used
that has an outside diameter of about 0.020''. As another
alternative, a single light fiber having an outside diameter of
about 0.010'' can be used. This provides additional internal space
for other components, but halves the light output compared to
embodiments using two 0.010'' fibers. FIG. 20 illustrates another
alternative, in which a single, semi-cylindrical light
(illumination) fiber is used, wherein the diameter 109 is about
0.020''. This half-round or semi-cylindrical fiber frees up
additional internal space in the device, relative to use of two
cylindrical fibers of 0.010'' each, and provide about the same
illumination output. However, these fibers are expensive and time
consuming to manufacture. Other illumination fibers 10 having
custom-shaped cross sections may be alternatively used, but again
may be expensive and difficult to manufacture. Further
alternatively, glass illumination fibers may be substituted which
are much smaller in outside diameter, e.g., about 0.002''. In this
case, more illumination fibers may be provided in a bundle, e.g.,
about six to fifty glass fibers 110i may be provided.
[0140] The distal end of device 110 is sealed by a transparent (or
translucent) seal 110s which may be in the form of epoxy or other
transparent or translucent adhesive or sealing material, which may
also function as a lens. For example, seal 110s may be formed of a
translucent, ultra-violet curing adhesive to form a distal lens of
the guidewire 110. Alternatively, other translucent or transparent
and biocompatible adhesives or epoxies may be substituted. Seal
110s maintains the distal ends of illumination fibers 110i
coincident with the distal end of device 110 and also provides an
atraumatic tip of the device 110. Further, seal 110s prevents
entrance of foreign materials into the device. The distal end can
be designed to either focus or distribute the light as it emanates
therefrom, to achieve maximum transillumination effects. In this
regard, the distal end can include a lens, prism or diffracting
element.
[0141] The proximal end of device 110 is also sealed by a
transparent (or translucent) seal 110ps which may be in the form of
epoxy or other transparent or translucent adhesive or sealing
material. Seal 110ps maintains the proximal ends of illumination
fibers 110i coincident with the proximal end of device 110. The
proximal end of device 110 may be further prepared by grinding and
polishing to improve the optical properties at the interface of the
proximal end of device 110 with a light source. The illumination
fibers 110i at locations intermediate of the proximal and distal
ends need not be, and typically are not fixed, since no mapping of
these fibers is required, as device 110 provides only illumination,
not a visualization function like that provided by an endoscope.
Further, by leaving illumination fibers free to move at locations
between the proximal and distal ends, this increases the overall
flexibility and bendability of device 110 relative to a similar
arrangement, but where the illumination fibers 110i are internally
fixed.
[0142] The outside diameter of device 110 may be in the range of
about 0.025 inches to about 0.040 inches, typically about 0.030 to
0.038 inches, and in at least one embodiment, is about
0.035''.+-.0.005''. At least the distal portion 110p of device 110
is provided with a core support 110cw that is contained therein. In
the example shown in FIG. 19, core support 110cw is a wire that is
fixed to proximal section 110p such as by laser welding, epoxy or
other adhesive or mechanical fixture. Core support 110cw may extend
substantially the full length of device 110. In any case, core
support 110cw is typically formed from stainless steel NITINOL
(nickel-titanium alloy) or other biocompatible nickel-titanium
alloys, cobalt-chromium alloys, or other metal alloys that are
biocompatible and provide the necessary rigidity and torquability.
Core support 110cw may be formed as a wire, as in the example shown
in FIG. 19, or alternatively, may be braided from any of the same
materials or combination of materials mentioned above. Core support
110cw, when formed as a wire can be ground to different diameters
to provide varying amounts of rigidity and torquability. When
formed as a braid, the braid can be formed to have varying amounts
of rigidity and torquability along the length thereof. For example,
core wire 110cw has a larger outside diameter at the proximal end
portion than at the distal end portion so that it is more rigid and
transfers more torque from the proximal portion of device 110,
whereas at the distal end portion, core 110cw is relatively more
flexible and twistable. For core supports 110cw that extend through
proximal portion 110p, the portion of core support near the
proximal end of device 110 may have an even larger outside
diameter.
[0143] In at least one embodiment, two core supports 110cw are
provided in guidewire 110. FIGS. 21A-21B illustrate an embodiment
of the first and second core supports, respectively. In FIG. 21A,
core support 110cw may be formed from a nickel titanium alloy core
wire having a diameter of about 0.008'', although a similar
configuration can be made starting with a core wire of different
material and/or different diameter. A proximal portion 1130p of
core support 110cw is maintained as the full wire profile having
the diameter of 0.008''. An intermediate section 1130i is ground
down to a 0.006'' diameter for greater flexibility in a distal end
portion of the guidewire 110. The distal end portion 1130d is
flattened, which facilitates soldering core support 110cw to coil
110c. The length of flattened section 1130d is maintained small,
e.g., about 0.8 cm to prevent guidewire whipping. Alternatively,
flattened section 1130d may be eliminated altogether with the
reduced diameter round cross section 1130i extending to the distal
end of core support 110cw. The length of the section 1130i (whether
or not flattened section 1130d is employed) may be varied to
customize the length of a flexible distal end portion of guidewire
110.
[0144] In FIG. 21B, core support 110cw that may be formed from a
nickel titanium alloy core wire having a diameter of about 0.006'',
although a similar configuration can be made starting with a core
wire of different material and/or different diameter. Proximal
portion 1130p of core support 110cw is maintained as the full wire
profile having the diameter of 0.006''. A distal end portion 1130d
is flattened, which facilitates soldering core support 110cw to
coil 110c and provides flexibility at the tip of the guidewire 110
for atraumatic interaction with tissue. The length of flattened
section 1130d can be about two centimeters, for example.
[0145] Alternative to the use of two core supports 110cw, a single
core support may be used, as already noted above with regard to
FIG. 19. Further alternatively, such a single core support 110cw
can be made from an oval-shaped or elliptical-shaped (in
cross-section) core wire if enough space is available, which may be
made available by eliminating one of the illumination fibers 110i,
for example. FIG. 22A shows an example of a core support 110cw
formed from an oval wire and FIG. 22B illustrates a proximal end
view of core support 110cw, showing the oval profile at the
proximal end of core support 110cw. Proximal portion 1130p of core
support 110cw is maintained as the full wire profile having the
oval-shaped cross-section, wherein the height 1130h of the wire is
about 0.015'' and the width 1130w of the wire is about 0.010'', see
FIG. 22B. Intermediate section 1130i is ground down to a round
cross-section having a diameter of about 0.010'' for greater
flexibility in a distal end portion of the guidewire 110. Distal
end portion 1130d is flattened, and may have a length of about 0.8
cm to about 1.2 cm, for example, typically about 1 cm, which
facilitates soldering core support 110cw to coil 110c. The length
of flattened section 1130d is maintained small, e.g., about 0.8 cm
to prevent guidewire whipping. Alternatively, flattened section
1130d may be eliminated altogether with the reduced diameter round
cross section 11301 extending to the distal end of core support
110cw. The length of the section 11301 (whether or not flattened
section 1130d is employed) may be varied to customize the length of
a flexible distal end portion of guidewire 110. The dimensions of
the oval or elliptical cross section may be varied depending upon
the amount of space available inside coil 110c, accounting for all
other components to be contained therein, as well as performance
characteristics (e.g., flexibility, stiffness, torquability, etc)
desired.
[0146] Coil 110c may be overlaminated, such as by melting nylon (or
other polymer, such as PEBAX, GRILLAMID (nylon resin), or other
medical grade resin) into open-pitched areas of the coil 110c to
fill in these areas. The overlamination material increases the
steerability of guidewire 110, increases torquability of guidewire
110 and provides an area that can be easily gripped by the
user.
[0147] FIGS. 23A-31 are now referred to in describing manufacturing
steps that may be carried out during the manufacture of certain
embodiments of illuminating guidewire 110. In these embodiments,
coil 110c extends over substantially the entire length of guidewire
110 and at least one of core supports 10cw extends into a proximal
portion of guidewire 110. In FIG. 23A, a distal portion of coil
110c is stretched to break tension between adjacent coils and to
form an open-pitch portion 110co of coil 110c. Next, two mandrels
1132 (which may be coated with a lubricious material such as
polytetrafluoroethylene, or the like), having dimensions about the
same as illumination fibers 110i that will later replace them, are
inserted into coil 110c, as illustrated in the longitudinal
sectional schematic of FIG. 23B. The core support 10cw having the
smaller cross-sectional proximal portion dimension (e.g., core
support 10cw formed from a 0.006'' core wire, as described with
regard to FIG. 21B above), referred to here as the "first core
support" 10cw, is inserted into the coil 110c such that a distal
end of distal portion 1130d is set back proximally from a distal
end of coil 10c by a predetermined distance. In one example, this
predetermined distance is about seven cm. In another example this
predetermined distance is about nine cm. However, this
predetermined distance may be varied depending upon the desired
performance characteristics of the distal end portion of
illuminating guidewire 110. By decreasing the predetermined
distance, this increases the stiffness, or moves the stiff section
more distal on the distal end portion of the guidewire 110.
Increasing the predetermined distance moves the stiff section more
proximal and leaves a greater flexible length at the distal end
portion of the guidewire 110.
[0148] A third mandrel 1132, which may be made the same as the
above-described mandrels 1132, but which has dimensions to occupy a
space that will later be occupied by the second core support 10cw,
is inserted, which appears as the bottom mandrel 1132 shown in FIG.
23B. FIG. 23C shows a cross-sectional view of this arrangement,
with the bottom mandrel 1132 being the mandrel that occupies the
space that will be later filled by the second core support 10cw,
and the other two mandrels 1132 occupying the spaces that will be
later filled by illumination fibers 110i. The distal end 1130d of
the core support 10cw may then be soldered to coil 110c.
[0149] In cases such as this, where coil 110c is stainless steel
and core support is made of a nickel-titanium alloy, oxide on the
nickel-titanium material, in regions to be soldered can be removed,
prior to soldering, to improve solder joint strength. This removal
can be accomplished using a highly acidic flux. For example, a
phosphoric acid-based flux (about 65% to about 75%, by weight,
phosphoric acid) was found to achieve satisfactory removal of the
oxide. To further improve the solder joint strength, the regions on
the nickel-titanium material that are to be soldered can be
manually cleared of oxide, such as by removal using sandpaper or
grinding. Further alternatively, or additionally, a chemical etch
may be used.
[0150] One example of a solder used to form the solder joints is a
tin/silver eutectic solder (96.5% Sn, 3.5% Ag, 0.5% Cu). This
eutectic alloy works well as the solder in this case because
strength is desired, and the eutectic alloy has no liquidus/solidus
transition range, so the solder joint solidifies all at once, which
greatly reduces the chances, making it almost impossible for the
joint to be disrupted as it is solidifying.
[0151] Next, the mandrel 112 occupying the space for the second
core support 10cw is removed and the second core support 10cw
(e.g., core support 10cw formed from a 0.008'' core wire, as
described with regard to FIG. 21A above, referred to here as the
"second core support" 10cw) is inserted into the coil 110c in the
opening left by removal of the mandrel 1132. The first and second
core supports 10cw are then soldered to coil 10c at multiple
locations over the length of the core supports. In one particular
example, soldering of the second core support 10cw includes a
distal-most solder joint made about two to about five coils back
from a distal end of coil 110c, a second solder joint is made about
two cm distal of the location along coil 10c where the distal
solder joint for the first core support 10cw was made, a third
solder joint is made proximal of the distal solder joint of the
first core support, but distal of the transition between the
open-pitch coil section 110co and the remainder of the coil 110c
(closed-pitch section), a fourth solder joint is made proximal of
the open-pitch coil section 110co, and a fifth solder joint is made
at the proximal end of coil 110c. The third, fourth and fifth
solder joint locations join both of the core supports 10cw to the
coil 10c for added strength and rigidity.
[0152] By making solder joint for the distal end of the first core
support 10cw and the second solder joint of the second core support
10cw at locations on coil 10c that are at unequal locations along
the longitudinal dimension of coil 110c, this allows the core
supports 10cw to slide independently of each other during bending
of the distal end portion of the illumination guidewire 110. For
example, FIGS. 24A and 24B illustrate this independent sliding
capability. As shown, the distal end solder joint 1136 of the
smaller core support 10cw (core support 10cw formed from the 0.006'
wire described in the example above) is illustrated at the bottom
of coil 110c, the solder joint 1134 just distal of solder joint
1136 made between the second core support 10cw and coil 110c is
shown at the top side of the illustration, and both core supports
10cw are soldered to coil 10c at a location distal of the
transition between the open-pitch coil section 110co and the
closed-pitch section, in this case, about sixteen cm from the
distal end of coil 110c. FIG. 24A shows the relative positions of
the solder joints when coil is in a straight configuration. FIG.
24B shows coil 10c in a bent configuration, and illustrates the
ability of the core supports 10cw to slide independently of one
another, as it can be observed that the solder joints 1134 and 1136
have moved closer together, as compared to the space between these
joints shown in FIG. 24A when coil 110c is straight. Thus, when
bending toward the first core support 10cw, the first core support
10cw is allowed to slide distally I relation to the second core
support 10cw at the bend, because the cores are located together
(same longitudinal fix point) at solder joints 1138, and the first
core support 10cw does not extend all the way to the distal end of
the coil 110c. If the solder joints 1134 and 1136 of the two core
supports 10cw were soldered at the same longitudinal location, this
would make the arrangement much stiffer and less flexible in this
region. This would also result in greater amounts of "whip" upon
torquing the device.
[0153] By soldering the core supports 10cw at locations 1134 and
1136 as shown in FIGS. 24A-24B and described above, the coils of
coil 110c are prevented from substantial separation even when coil
110c is bent. This greatly increases the stiffness of guidewire
110/coil 110c in a segment between the solder joints 1134 and 1138,
but still allows a distal section (distal of joint 1134 to the
distal solder joint of the second core support 110cw) to remain
floppy. Alternatively, to further increase the stiffness of the
region between joints 1134 and 1138, the coils between joints 1134
and 1138 or between 1136 and 1138, or between 1134 and 1136 can be
placed under compression during the soldering of the joints.
[0154] Further alternative soldering arrangements include, but are
not limited to: soldering both core supports 10cw at the distal end
of coil 110c. This increases the distal stiffness of the coil
110c/guidewire 110 and thus also reduced distal flexibility. This
may also greatly increase whipping of the distal end when torquing
the illuminating guidewire 110.
[0155] Further alternatively, the solder locations (locations
longitudinally along the coil 110c) can be varied. For example, by
moving joints 1134 and 1136 distally with respect to coil 110c, but
keeping the same separation distance between coils 1134 and 1136,
this moves the stiff section between the joints 1134 and 1136
closer to the distal end of guidewire 110, reducing the flexible
section at the distal end portion of guidewire 110. Conversely,
moving joints 1134 and 1136 proximally with respect to coil 110c,
but keeping the same separation distance between coils 1134 and
1136, moves the stiff section between the joints 1134 and 1136
further from the distal end of guidewire 110, increasing the length
of the flexible section at the distal end portion of guidewire 110
and reducing the length of the stiff section.
[0156] Once core supports 10cw have been soldered to coil 110c
according to any of the techniques described above, the open-pitch
coil section 110co of coil 110c can next be laminated. A nylon (or
other meltable polymer) tube 1140 is slid over the open-pitched
coil section 110co, as illustrated in FIG. 25, and then a FEP
(fluorinated ethylene propylene) heat shrink tube 1142 is slid over
the meltable polymer tube 1140. Tubing 1142 is heated until it
shrinks down around the coils of the open coil section 110co and
melts the polymer tubing into the spaces between the coils. After
cooling, the shrink tubing 1142 is removed.
[0157] FIGS. 26A-26B illustrate steps that may be performed to
install connector 1120 to the proximal end of guidewire 110. These
steps may be performed while at least the mandrels 1132 that are to
be replaced by illumination fibers 110i are still inserted through
coil 110c. A heat shrink tube (e.g., FEP heat shrink material) 1140
is shrunk down around a proximal end portion of coil 110c as
illustrated in FIG. 26A which shows a longitudinal sectional view
of the heat shrink tubing, and a plan view of coil 110c and
mandrels 1132. The tubing 1142 extends proximally beyond the
proximal end of coil 110c by a predetermined distance, e.g. about
two mm. Mandrels 112 act to keep the proximal end of tubing 1142
from shrinking closed during heating.
[0158] Next, connector 1120 is slid over tubing 1142 so as to
substantially align the proximal end of connector 1120 with the
proximal end of tubing 1142, as illustrated. Tubing 1142 help to
center coil 110c within the connector 1120 and also functions as a
strain relief. Adhesive 1144 can be applied to adhere connector
1120 to tubing 1142. Another shrink tubing 1146 (e.g., polyeolefin
shrink tubing) is slid over the distal end portion 1120d of
connector 1120 and shrunk down around the distal end portion 1120d,
tubing 1142 and coil 110c, thereby securing connector 1120 to coil
110c and also functioning as a strain relief. Connector 1120 may
include a rotatable (relative to coil 110) or non-rotatable female
luer connector, or rotatable (relative to coil 110) or
non-rotatable male luer connector, for example.
[0159] At this time, the remaining mandrels 1132 can be removed
from coil 110c in preparation for installation of the light
(illumination) fibers 110i. After removal of the mandrels 1132, two
light fibers 110i are installed in their place and extended
distally beyond the distal end of coil 10c. The illumination fibers
110i are then cut to extend a predetermined distance distally of
the distal end of coil 110c. In one example, this predetermined
distance is about 0.5 mm, although this predetermined distance may
vary. An adhesive lens 110s is the formed by applying ultra-violet
curable adhesive (or other transparent or translucent adhesive)
over the portions of illumination fibers extending distally from
the distal end of coil 110c to completely encapsulate these fiber
portions, as shown in FIG. 27. Note that, for simplicity of
illustration, core supports have not been shown in the illustration
of FIG. 27, however, these would, of course, also be contained
within the coil 110c. Adhesive lens 110s will typically be formed
to have a hemispherical distal surface, as shown, although the
curvature and shape of this distal surface can be varied, depending
upon the characteristics of light patterns desired to be emitted
therefrom. Note that adhesive is also applied so as to spread over
at least one coil of the coil 110c and at least one space between
coils. Adhesive lens 110s is then cured to complete the formation
of the adhesive lens 110s.
[0160] The same or a similar adhesive can be used to apply to the
proximal end portion of coil 110c and portions of the illumination
fibers 110i in the proximal end 110ps vicinity, as illustrated in
FIG. 28. Adhesive can be applied in amounts enough
attach/encapsulate up to about one-half of the proximally exposed
portions of illuminating fibers 110i that extend proximally from
the proximal end of coil 110c. The illumination fibers are then cut
substantially flush with the proximal end of connector 1120, as
shown in FIG. 28. Optionally, after curing the adhesive, the
portion of shrink tubing 1142 extending proximally from the
proximal end of coil 110c, may next be shrunk down around the
proximally extending portions of illumination fibers 110i, for
example, to an outside diameter of about 0.022'', to lower the
light input into device 110 and allow light input substantially
only through the illumination fibers 110i. Alternatively, and also
optionally, a grommet 1148 (shown in phantom) can be inserted over
illumination fibers and inside of shrink tubing 1142, with or
without subsequent further shrinking of the shrink tubing, to
accomplish the same function.
[0161] Further optionally, the proximally extending portions of
light fibers 110i may be completely encapsulated in adhesive or
epoxy, in the same manner as described above with regard to
adhesive lens 110s. This proximal adhesive lens can be configured
to function as a lens to direct light into light fibers 110i, for
example, but the adhesive or epoxy used in this instance must be
able to withstand heat generated by the light cable when connected
to connector 1120 during use.
[0162] Optionally, illuminating guidewire may be manufacture to
have a preset curve or bend in a distal end portion thereof. For
example, the larger core support 110cw in the process described
above can be set with a curve or bend to form a resulting bend in
the distal end portion of guidewire 110 once constructed. FIG. 29A
is a partial view of the core support 110cw described with regard
to FIG. 21A, while still in a straight configuration. FIG. 29B
illustrates one method of forming a preset curve in core support
110cw in which the flatted distal end section 1130d is bent at an
angle of about ninety degrees by bending it around a mandrel 1150.
In one example, mandrel 50 had a outside diameter of about 0.05''.
By cold working (i.e., plastically deforming) the distal portion
about the mandrel 1150 and setting it a about ninety degrees, a
curve of about twenty degrees will result in the finished
illuminating guidewire device 110 employing this core support in a
manner as described above. Alternatively, the nickel-titanium
distal end portion 1130d can be bent in the same manner as shown in
FIG. 29B, but rather than cold working, the distal end portion can
be heated to it annealing temperature and then bent around the
mandrel 1150 and quenched.
[0163] FIG. 30 illustrates a distal portion of an illuminating
guidewire 110 manufactured with a core support have a preset bend
from either of the techniques described above with regard to FIGS.
29A-29B. The bend in the distal end portion makes it more
steerable, as discussed above and in application Ser. No.
11/647,530.
[0164] FIG. 31 is a partial view of coil 110c illustrating two
portions of coil 110c that have been etched 110e. Etching may be
performed over all, or one or more select portions of coil 110c to
lower reflectance of the coil where etched, such as when viewed by
endoscopy, for example, and/or to act as a marker band to identify
a particular location along the coil 110c.
[0165] Illumination guidewire 110 may be externally coated with a
silicone coating to reduce friction (add lubricity) between
guidewire 110 and the tissues, guides and/or other instruments that
it is slid against during use. Other lubricious coatings may be
substituted, including, but not limited to:
polytetrafluoroethylene, parylene, hydrophilic coatings, any of
which may be spray coated or dipped, for example, or may be
pre-coated on the wire from which the coil is made by the wire
manufacturer, or may be pre-coated on the coil 10c if the coil is
manufactured by an outside source.
[0166] The illumination fibers 110i, as noted previously, can be
free to move about radially within the device 110. Further, there
is no need to center the illumination fibers 110i with respect to
device 110 even at the distal and proximal ends of the device. The
plastic or glass illumination fibers 110i are typically used to
transmit light from a light source such as one provided in an
operating room for use by endoscopes, e.g., xenon light source,
halogen light source, metal halide light source, etc.
Alternatively, device 110 may be configured to transmit light from
other light sources, such as a laser light source, wherein laser
fibers would be substituted for the illumination fibers described
above, and extend through device 110 in a fiber optic bundle. The
fiber optic bundle, like the illumination fibers 110i, contributes
to stiffness (in both bending and torquing motions) of device 110,
thereby enhancing trackability, steering and other torquing.
Alternatively, device 110 may employ one or more light emitting
diodes used to emit light, as described in more detail in
application Ser. No. 11/647,530.
[0167] A light cable 1032 optically connects connector 1120 with
light source 1030 to deliver light from the light source 1030
through connector 1120 and illumination fibers 110i. The light
cable 1032 must transmit enough light to allow the illuminating
guidewire 110 to transilluminate the sinuses, but at the same time,
not transmit so much light that the light fibers become damaged.
Research has shown that very bright light sources 1030 (e.g., 300
Watt Xenon, new bulb) can damage the light fibers 110i with a light
cable surrounding a glass illumination fiber bundle wherein the
light cable has a diameter of greater than about 2 mm. One way to
concentrate the light coming from light cable 1032 down to a size
more nearly matching that needed for the illumination fibers 110i
is to provide a taper (which may be made of glass, for example)
1126 as illustrated in phantom in FIG. 32. For example, taper 1126
may taper the diameter of the incoming light from about 2 mm down
to about 1 mm. While the taper 1032 can concentrate or focus the
light down, as noted, there are light losses that result in heat
generation at the location of the taper 1126.
[0168] Alternatively, a light cable 1032, in this embodiment, has a
connector 1320 at the distal end of light cable 1032 which is
provided with a male luer 1322, for connection to the connector
1020 of illumination guidewire 110. The provision of a male luer is
non-standard, as most operating room light cables are provided
connectors specific to the manufacturer of the light cable, which
are often proprietary to that manufacturer and which do not include
a luer connector. Accordingly, when the connector 1020 of
illuminating guidewire 110 is configured to mate with this male
luer 1322, this prevents a standard operating room light cable from
accidentally being connected to the guidewire 110. The light fiber
bundle in light cable 1032 is sized to provide sufficient
illumination through illuminating guidewire 110 to transilluminated
the sinuses, but an insufficient amount of light to damage the
illumination fibers 110i. Also, a taper 1026 is not required since
the light cable 1032 is sized to substantially match the
illumination fibers 110i, and therefore the heat generation problem
caused by tapering does not arise with this embodiment. In one
example, the light fiber bundle 1324 has a diameter of about 1
mm.
[0169] Alternatively, the embodiment shown in FIG. 33 may also be
provided with a taper 1126 to further funnel the light from light
bundle 1324 down to a smaller diameter, as illustrated in FIG.
34.
[0170] FIG. 35 shows connector 1320 of light cable 1302 provided
with a female luer mated with a male luer of connector 1020 of the
illuminating guidewire 110. This arrangement allows the proximal
ends of illumination fibers 110i to be placed flush in abutment
with the light bundle 1324 or taper 1126 (as shown) when connector
120 is screwed or snapped onto connector 1320.
[0171] Any of the devices 110 described herein may optionally
include one or more radiopaque markers and/or electromagnetic coils
on the tip of the device 110 and/or elsewhere along the device for
enhancing visibility by fluoroscopy systems, image guided surgery
(IGS) systems, or other visualization systems.
[0172] FIG. 36 shows an alternative design of device 110 in which
light is emitted proximally of the distal end of the device. This
configuration may employ any of the various light transmission
means described above (e.g., illumination fibers, laser fibers,
LED). The proximal portion 110p may be constructed in any of the
manners described above with regard to other embodiments of device
110. The distal portion 110d includes a transparent proximal end
portion 110dp that mounts over the distal end of proximal end
portion 110p of the device 110. The transparent portion 110dp
permits the illumination emitted from illumination member 110i or
110id to pass out of the device 110 at the location of transparent
portion 110dp. The illumination member(s) 110i or 110id thus
terminate at the proximal end portion 110dp of the distal end
portion of device 110. Distally of this transparent portion 110dp,
the distal portion 110dd of distal end portion 110d of device 110
extends as a floppy guidewire leader or tip. This floppy guidewire
leader or tip 110dd may include a coiled section 110c and may
optionally include a core support 110cw. The light emitted from
illumination fibers will disperse naturally through the transparent
portion 110dp. Optionally, a deflector 111, such as a convex mirror
(e.g., parabolic or other convex) shape or other reflective surface
may be provided distally of illumination fibers/light emitting
portion 110i, 110id of device 110 to deflect light rays out of the
transparent portion. Additionally, or further alternatively,
illumination fibers 110i may be angled at the distal end portions
thereof to direct the emitted light out through the transparent
portion.
[0173] This configuration may be beneficial in further protecting
the illumination emitter(s) 110i from foreign materials inside the
body, as well as from trauma that may be induced by bumping the
illumination emitter up against structures within the body.
Further, a floppy guidewire leader 110dd of this type may provide
more flexibility and maneuverability than a device in which the
illumination emitter is located on the distal tip of the
device.
[0174] Transparent portion 110dp may be provided as a clear plastic
or glass integral tube, or may have openings or windows 110t
provided therein (see the partial view of FIG. 37). Further
alternatively, transparent portion may be formed by a plurality of
struts 110st circumferentially arranged to interconnect the distal
floppy tip 110dd with the proximal end portion 110p of device 110
as shown in the partial illustration of FIG. 38. Alternatively
members 110st may be intersecting in a criss-crossing cage like
configuration or other cage configuration. In any of these
alternative configurations, members 110st may be transparent, but
need not be and could be formed of non-transparent materials, such
as metals or opaque plastics, for example.
[0175] Turning now to FIGS. 39A-39C, illustrations of partial
coronal sectional views through a human head showing various steps
of a method for inserting an illuminating guidewire 110 into an
ostium that opens to a frontal sinus are shown. The methods
described here, and all other methods disclosed herein may also
comprise a step of cleaning or lavaging anatomy within the nose,
paranasal sinus, nasopharynx or nearby structures including but not
limited to irrigating and suctioning. The step of cleaning the
target anatomy can be performed before and/or after a diagnostic or
therapeutic procedure. The methods of the present invention may
also include one or more preparatory steps for preparing the nose,
paranasal sinus, nasopharynx or nearby structures for the
procedure, such as spraying or ravaging with a vasoconstricting
agent (e.g., 0.025-0.5% phenylephyrine or Oxymetazoline
hydrochloride (Neosynephrine or Afrin) to cause shrinkage of the
nasal tissues, an antibacterial agent (e.g., provodine iodine
(Betadine), etc. to cleanse the tissues, etc.
[0176] In FIG. 39A, a first introducing device in the form of a
sinus guide 12 is introduced through a nostril and through a nasal
cavity 1012 to a location close to an ostium 1034 of a frontal
sinus 1036. Sinus guide 12 may be as described previously herein,
or as described in the applications incorporated herein by
reference. The advancement of sinus guide 12 can be visualized with
a scope inserted into the nasal cavity 1012 (e.g., through channel
28, not shown in FIG. 39A) and advanced as close to the ostium 1034
as possible without causing significant trauma to the tissues
therein.
[0177] Once the surgeon is satisfied that the distal end of the
sinus guide 12 is positioned close enough to the appropriate ostium
1034, illuminating guidewire 110, connected to a light source as
described by any of the techniques mentioned above, is inserted
through sinus guide 12 and advanced therethrough, see FIG. 39B.
There may be some transillumination from the light emitted from the
scope which can be used to confirm that the sinus guide 12 is
positioned in the correct general area, which confirmation can be
made even before the distal tip of guidewire 110 exits the distal
end of sinus guide 12. However, much more specific
transillumination effects are produced when the tip of guidewire
110 exits the distal end of guide 12 and especially when the light
emitting portion of guidewire 110 touches or approximates an
intended target surface, such as an inner wall of a sinus, for
example. As the guidewire 110 is advanced, transillumination on the
face of the patient can be observed as a glowing spot that moves as
the distal end portion of device 110 moves, thereby making it
possible to visibly track the location of the light emitting
portion of device 110 without the need to use radiographic imaging,
such as by fluoroscopy, for example.
[0178] While there may be some diffuse transillumination on the
forehead of the patient overlying the frontal sinus 1036 as the
light emitting portion of device 110 approaches the ostium 1034,
the glow on the forehead becomes brighter and smaller in dimension
(more focused) as the light emitting portion passes through the
ostium 1034 and enters the frontal sinus 1036, FIG. 39C. As device
110 is further advanced, the glowing spot becomes most defined and
brightest as the light emitting portion approaches and contacts a
wall of the frontal sinus 1036. Further, as noted, the movement of
the transilluminated spot can be visibly followed to confirm that
the guidewire 110 is indeed moving within the location of the
frontal sinus, as can be confirmed by the surgeon's knowledge of
the particular anatomy of the patient being treated. In this
regard, a CAT scan or other image of the sinus anatomy can be
performed prior to this procedure and studied by the surgeon, to
apprise the surgeon of any distinctive or unusual patterns in the
individual patient's sinus anatomy which might be useful in
tracking and confirmation of where the guidewire is located, as
indicated by the transillumination.
[0179] Illuminating guidewire device 110 can also be used to
facilitate visualization and placement of the sinus guide 12 in the
procedure described above with regard to FIGS. 39A-39C, or in
another procedure in which a sinus guide, sinus guide or guide tube
is placed in the sinus pathways. FIG. 40 illustrates a situation
where scope 30 has been inserted as far as possible without causing
significant trauma to the patient. The range of visibility in this
case does not extend all the way to ostium 1034, as indicated
schematically by the rays 1009 shown extending distally from scope
30. By inserting illuminating guidewire 110 through sinus guide 12
(tube 44) as shown in FIG. 30, additional illumination can be
provided distally of the illuminating range of scope 30. This
additional illumination can be received by scope 30 to enable
visualization up to the illumination portion of device 110 and
potentially even extending to illumination range of device 110, as
long as there is a straight pathway of the field of view. Thus,
placement of the guidewire 110 can be visualized up to and into the
desired ostium 1034 via scope 30 in this case. Alternatively, this
can be carried out without the sinus guide 12, wherein the
guidewire 110 is inserted and the scope 30 can be used to visualize
placement of guidewire 110 into the target ostium with the
assistance of the light emitted by the scope 30 in addition to the
light emitted by guidewire 110.
[0180] In any of these procedures where a scope 30 is used for
visualization and an illuminating guidewire 110 is inserted, some
transillumination of the target sinus may occur from the light
emitted by the scope 30 alone. However, this transillumination will
be diffuse and show a rather dim, large area of transillumination
on the patient's skin. When the illumination guidewire 110 is
inserted and advanced, as noted earlier, a smaller, brighter
transillumination spot will be visible when the illuminating
portion of the guidewire has entered the sinus. Additionally, even
before entering the sinus, the light emitted from the guidewire 110
will produce a moving transillumination spot as guidewire 110 is
advanced, which also helps distinguish the location of the distal
portion of the guidewire 110, relative to any diffuse
transillumination produced by the scope light.
[0181] If the guidewire 110 is advanced into an ostium other than
the target ostium (e.g., ostium 1035 shown in FIG. 40), this may be
possible to be viewed by scope 30, depending upon the line of
sight. However, even if it is not, the transillumination resulting
from entrance into a different sinus than the target sinus will be
evident by the different location on the patient's face. Also, in
the example shown, guidewire 110 would not be able to be advanced
very far through ostium 135 before it was diverted and curled by
the relatively small sinus space that ostium 135 leads into. Thus,
by tracking the movement of the illumination spot produced by
guidewire 110, the surgeon could confirm that guidewire 110 was
misplaced as the guidewire would be diverted by a much smaller
space then that characterized by the target frontal sinus 1036.
[0182] Thus, by using an illuminating guidewire device 110 in the
methods as described above, the use of fluoroscopy or other X-ray
visualization can be reduced as it is not required to confirm
proper placement of the guidewire in some cases.
Guide Systems With Removable Endoscope/Guidewire Sheaths
[0183] FIGS. 41-43 show additional embodiments of transnasally
insertable guide systems useable to position an endoscope 30 at a
desired location within the ear, nose, throat or cranium of a human
or animal subject, to view anatomy for diagnostic purposes or for
confirmation that a procedure has been successfully accomplished.
In FIG. 41, guide device 12 includes a single tube 28 having a
lumen sized to receive endoscope 30. Guide 12 may be preshaped to
be straight or curved, or may be configured to be deflectable or
steerable.
[0184] FIGS. 42-43 illustrate a guide system comprising a straight
or curved transnasal sinus guide 12 and a sheath 90 that is
insertable through the sinus guide 12. The sheath 90 has a single
lumen sized and configured to receive endoscope 30 therethrough.
Thus, endoscope 30 may be inserted through sheath 90 to extend
distally of the distal end of guide 12, as illustrated in the
partial view of FIG. 43, to view anatomy or visually verify the
results of a procedure, for example. Examples of transnasal sinus
guides 12 useable in this system include those described in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/193,020 and herein, as well as those
currently available commercially as Relieva.TM. Sinus Guide
Catheters from Acclarent, Inc., Menlo Park, Calif.
[0185] Sheath 90, illustrated in FIG. 42, an elongate flexible
shaft 92 through which the endoscope lumen 85 extends. A proximal
hub 94 may be provided with having two arms 96, 98, and is mounted
on the proximal end of the flexible shaft 92. Arm 96 leads into the
endoscope lumen 85 and arm 98 also leads to the endoscope lumen 85
and can be used, for example to attach a suction or irrigation
source thereto. Alternatively, hub 94 may be provide with only a
single arm 96.
[0186] It is to be appreciated that the invention has been
described hereabove with reference to certain examples or
embodiments of the invention but that various additions, deletions,
alterations and modifications may be made to these examples and
embodiments and or equivalents may be substituted without departing
from the intended spirit and scope of the invention. For example,
any element or attribute of one embodiment or example may be
incorporated into or used with another embodiment or example,
unless to do so would render the embodiment or example unsuitable
for its intended use. In addition, many modifications may be made
to adapt a particular situation, material, composition of matter,
process, process step or steps, to the objective, spirit and scope
of the present invention. All such modifications are intended to be
within the scope of the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *