U.S. patent application number 17/466614 was filed with the patent office on 2021-12-23 for implant device, tool, and methods relating to treatment of paranasal sinuses.
The applicant listed for this patent is SINOPSYS SURGICAL, INC.. Invention is credited to William W. Cimino, Christopher Lee Oliver, Harry Ross, Donald F. Schomer, Brian James Willoughby.
Application Number | 20210393929 17/466614 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005822568 |
Filed Date | 2021-12-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210393929 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Oliver; Christopher Lee ; et
al. |
December 23, 2021 |
IMPLANT DEVICE, TOOL, AND METHODS RELATING TO TREATMENT OF
PARANASAL SINUSES
Abstract
An implant device is configured to be implanted in a fistula to
fluidly connect the lacrimal apparatus and a paranasal sinus. A
surgical tool has an implant the implant device mounted on a
carrier. Various methods involve a fistula between the lacrimal
apparatus and a paranasal sinus. A kit includes an entry device for
use to form a fistula and an implant tool for use to implant an
implant device following formation of a fistula.
Inventors: |
Oliver; Christopher Lee;
(Denver, CO) ; Schomer; Donald F.; (Bellaire,
TX) ; Ross; Harry; (Boulder, CO) ; Cimino;
William W.; (Louisville, CO) ; Willoughby; Brian
James; (Denver, CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SINOPSYS SURGICAL, INC. |
Boulder |
CO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005822568 |
Appl. No.: |
17/466614 |
Filed: |
September 3, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16039661 |
Jul 19, 2018 |
11110256 |
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17466614 |
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15077020 |
Mar 22, 2016 |
10035004 |
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16039661 |
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13877893 |
Apr 4, 2013 |
9308358 |
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PCT/US2011/055456 |
Oct 7, 2011 |
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15077020 |
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13225213 |
Sep 2, 2011 |
9022967 |
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13877893 |
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61404716 |
Oct 8, 2010 |
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61528058 |
Aug 26, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 2210/0681 20130101;
A61F 9/00772 20130101; A61M 31/00 20130101; A61M 27/002 20130101;
A61M 2210/0612 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61M 27/00 20060101
A61M027/00; A61F 9/007 20060101 A61F009/007; A61M 31/00 20060101
A61M031/00 |
Claims
1. An implant device for implantation in a human to fluidly connect
a lacrimal apparatus to a paranasal sinus through a fistula formed
between the lacrimal apparatus and the paranasal sinus, the implant
device comprising: a proximal end at a first longitudinal end of
the device; a distal end at a second longitudinal end of the device
that is longitudinally opposite the first longitudinal end; a
conduit extending from adjacent the proximal end to adjacent the
distal end; an internal passage extending between the proximal end
and the distal end and through the conduit, the internal passage
having a first end open at the proximal end and a second end open
at the distal end; a length of the device longitudinally along the
device between the proximal end and the distal end in a range of
from 2 millimeters to 50 millimeters; a width of the internal
passage transverse to the length in a range of from 0.25 millimeter
to 5 millimeters; and an exterior of the conduit comprising an
anchoring surface feature including protrusion areas and recess
areas; the implant device configured to be implanted to fluidly
connect the lacrimal apparatus to the paranasal sinus through the
fistula so that when implanted: the proximal end is disposed with
the first end of the internal passage opening in the lacrimal
apparatus; the distal end is disposed in the paranasal sinus with
the second end of the internal passage opening in the paranasal
sinus; and the conduit is disposed through the fistula with at
least a portion of the recess areas disposed within the fistula and
with at least a portion of the protrusion areas disposed in the
fistula and engaging tissue exposed within the fistula to anchor
the implant device.
2. An implant device according to claim 1, wherein the conduit is
constructed of polymeric material having a durometer (Shore A) in a
range of from 50 to 100.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 16/039,661, entitled "KIT FOR TREATMENT OF
SINUSITIS," filed Jul. 19, 2018 and further identified as U.S. Pat.
No. 11,110,256, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 15/077,020, entitled "IMPLANT DEVICE, TOOL, AND METHODS
RELATING TO TREATMENT OF PARANASAL SINUSES", filed Mar. 22, 2016
and further identified as U.S. Pat. No. 10,035,004, which is a
divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/877,893 having a
371(c) date of Apr. 4, 2013 (now issued as U.S. Pat. No.
9,308,358), which U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/877,893 is a
U.S. national stage under the Patent Cooperation Treaty of
international Patent Application No. PCT/US2011/055456 filed Oct.
7, 2011, which international Patent Application No.
PCT/US2011/055456 claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/404,716 filed Oct. 8, 2010 and U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/528,058 filed Aug. 26, 2011, and which
international Patent Application No. PCT/US2011/055456 is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/225,213, filed Sep. 2, 2011 (now issued as U.S. Pat. No.
9,022,967). The contents of each and every portion of each of the
foregoing patent applications and patents are incorporated by
reference herein as if set forth herein in full for all
purposes.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to treatment of conditions of the
paranasal sinuses, including with respect to implant devices,
surgical tools and methods.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In the United States alone, 35 million people a year are
treated for sinus infections, or sinusitis, and 7 million of those
will suffer from chronic sinusitis and will have minimal response
to prescription drug therapies. Current surgical interventions may
be expected to, at best, offer only moderate symptomatic
improvement but no cure.
[0004] Current drug therapies include oral administration as pills
and nasal topical administration, neither of which is conducive to
delivering adequate concentration of medication to the involved
paranasal sinus. In addition to medication, frequent sinus
irrigation can be helpful in flushing out debris, irritants and
obstructing viscous fluids, but patients are generally not able to
adequately perform this procedure at home.
[0005] For patients with particularly severe symptoms, surgical
drainage may be the only additional option. An early surgical
procedure was the Caldwell-Luc procedure, which involves creating a
permanent fistula from the base of the paranasal sinus into the
oral cavity above the front upper incisors. More recently, other
surgical access points to the paranasal sinuses have been
attempted. A variety of endoscopic techniques have been developed
that access the paranasal sinuses through the nose, including
functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and balloon sinuplasty.
All attempt to increase drainage, but utilize different routes or
tools. None of these surgical approaches has achieved wide-spread
success, and millions of chronic sinusitis patients continue to
suffer long-term disability and discomfort.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] A variety of medical treatments and medical procedures
directed to the paranasal sinuses may be performed through a
fistula that may be formed between the lacrimal apparatus and a
paranasal sinus. Such a fistula provides direct access from the
lacrimal apparatus to the paranasal sinus in a minimally invasive
manner. Such direct access permits drugs to be conveniently
administered for local treatment in the paranasal sinus, rather
than having to rely on systemic drug treatments. Such direct access
permits irrigation fluids to be conveniently introduced into the
paranasal sinus. Such access permits fluids to be conveniently
removed from the paranasal sinus. Such access permits a variety of
medical procedures to be conveniently performed in the paranasal
sinus.
[0007] A first aspect of the invention involves an implant device
for implantation in a human to fluidly connect the lacrimal
apparatus to a paranasal sinus through such a fistula. The implant
device has a proximal end and a distal end located at opposite
longitudinal ends of the device. A conduit extends from adjacent
the proximal end to adjacent the distal end. An internal passage
extends between the proximal end and the distal end, and including
through the conduit. The internal passage has a first end open at
the proximal end of the implant device and a second end open at the
distal end of the implant device. The implant device includes a
length longitudinally along the device between the proximal end and
the distal end that is in a range of from 2 millimeters to 50
millimeters. A width of the internal passage transverse to the
length is in a range of from 0.25 millimeter to 5 millimeters. The
implant device is configured to be implanted to fluidly connect the
lacrimal apparatus to the paranasal sinus through the fistula so
that when the implant device is implanted: the proximal end is
disposed with the first end of the internal passage opening in the
lacrimal apparatus; the distal end is disposed in the paranasal
sinus with the second end of the internal passage opening in the
paranasal sinus; and the conduit is disposed through the
fistula.
[0008] A number of feature refinements and additional features are
applicable to the first aspect of the invention. These feature
refinements and additional features may be used individually or in
any combination. As such, each of the following features may be,
but are not required to be, used within any other feature or
combination of features of the first aspect or any other aspects of
the invention.
[0009] The conduit may be configured so that an exterior of the
conduit comprises an anchoring surface feature which assists to
anchor the implant device when the device is implanted. The
anchoring surface feature includes protrusion areas and recess
areas. The implant device may be configured so that when implanted
the conduit is disposed through the fistula with at least a portion
of the recess areas disposed within the fistula and with at least a
portion of the protrusion areas disposed in the fistula and
engaging tissue exposed within the fistula to anchor the implant
device. The structural and mechanical characteristics of protrusion
occurrences in the protrusion areas may affect anchoring
performance of the protrusion areas. The height of the protrusion
areas relative to the recess areas may affect anchoring
effectiveness when the implant device is implanted. A larger height
may provide greater anchor effectiveness, but also may involve a
larger overall width of the implant device that must be inserted
into the fistula. The protrusion areas may have a height relative
to the recess areas of at least 0.1 millimeter, at least 0.2
millimeter, at least 0.25 millimeter or at least 0.3 millimeter.
The protrusions areas may have a height relative to the recess
areas of no greater than 2 millimeters, no greater than 1.5
millimeter, no greater than 1 millimeter, no greater than 0.75
millimeter, no greater than 0.5 millimeter or no greater than 0.4
millimeter. The height may be of particular protrusion occurrences
relative to adjacent areas of recesses. Protrusion occurrences are
also referred to herein as anchor protrusions. Such anchor
protrusions may be configured to flexibly deform when the conduit
is inserted through the fistula for implantation, for example to
flexibly deform in a direction opposite the direction of insertion
when the anchor protrusions contact tissue disposed in the fistula
during insertion. After insertion, the anchor protrusions may over
time return to their original shape and extend deeper into adjacent
tissue to better anchor the implant device. The mechanical
properties of the anchor protrusions may be influenced by materials
of construction. Preferred materials of construction for the
protrusion areas, and also for the portions of the implant device,
are polymeric materials. The polymeric materials may preferably be
medical grade materials.
[0010] Some preferred polymeric materials are silicones and
polyurethanes. For enhanced performance, the material of
construction should have a rigidity that interacts positively with
tissue in the vicinity of the fistula, for example to promote load
sharing and good anchoring. One preferred material of construction
is a polymeric material (e.g. silicone or polyurethane) having a
durometer (Shore A) in a range having a lower limit of 50, 60, 70
or 80 and an upper limit of 100, 80, 70 or 60, provided that the
upper limit must be larger than the lower limit. One preferred
range is for a durometer (Shore A) of 60-100, with a range of
80-100 being even more preferred. For some implementations the
polymeric material has a durometer (Shore A) of about 60, of about
80 or of about 100. Mechanical properties of the protrusion
occurrences of the protrusion areas will also be affected by the
geometry of the protrusion occurrences. The protrusion occurrences
may have a width that tapers, or narrows, in a direction from a
base toward a top of the protrusion occurrences, with the base
being a portion of a protrusion occurrence disposed toward the
internal passage of the conduit and a top of the protrusion
occurrence being the extremity of the protrusion occurrence away
from the internal passage of the conduit. The width may be
transverse to the length of the conduit. The protrusion occurrences
may have a width at the base that is no larger than 2 millimeters,
no larger than 1.5 millimeters, no larger than 1.25 millimeters or
no larger than 1 millimeter. One or more of the protrusion
occurrences may have a width at the base that is at least 0.2
millimeter, at least 0.3 millimeter, at least 0.5 millimeter, at
least 0.75 millimeter or at least 1 millimeter. The protrusion
occurrences may have a width adjacent the top that is no larger
than 0.75 times width at the base, no larger than 0.5 times the
width at the base, or no larger than 0.25 times the width at the
base. The protrusion occurrences may have a width midway between
the base and the top that is no larger than 0.8 times the width of
the base, no larger than 0.7 times the width of the base, no larger
than 0.6 times the width of the base or no larger than 0.5 times
the width at the base.
[0011] The protrusion areas may be provided by a single protrusion
occurrence feature located to correspond with the interior of the
fistula when the implant device is implanted. In more preferred
implementations, the protrusion areas include multiple protrusion
occurrences spaced on the exterior of the conduit. The protrusion
occurrences may have a center-to-center spacing, in one or more
directions, of at least 0.5 millimeter, at least 0.75 millimeter,
at least 1 millimeter or at least 1.75 millimeters. The protrusion
occurrences may have a center-to-center spacing of no greater than
2.5 millimeters, no greater than 2 millimeters or no greater than
1.75 millimeters. The protrusion occurrences may have a
center-to-center spacing longitudinally along the conduit. The
protrusion occurrences may have a center-to-center spacing that is
at least 0.5 times the base width of the protrusion occurrences, or
at least 1 times the base width of the protrusion occurrences or at
least 2 times the base width of the protrusion occurrences. The
protrusion occurrences may have a center-to-center spacing that is
no more than 5 times a base width of the protrusion occurrences, no
more than 3 times a base width of the protrusion occurrences or no
more than 2 times a base width of the protrusion occurrences.
[0012] The protrusion areas may be located on a longitudinal
portion of the conduit that includes at least a portion of the
conduit that will be disposed within a fistula when the implant
device is implanted. The protrusion areas may be on a longitudinal
portion of the conduit that extends for at least 2 millimeters
along the length of the implant device, that extends for at least 3
millimeters along the length of the implant device, that extends
for at least 4 millimeters along the length of the implant device,
that extends for at least 5 millimeters along the length of the
implant device or that extends for at least 8 millimeters along the
length of the implant device. A longitudinal portion of the conduit
including the protrusion areas may be no longer than 20
millimeters, no longer than 15 millimeters or no longer than 10
millimeters. A longitudinal portion of the conduit including the
protrusion areas may be disposed at least 2 millimeters from the
proximal end of the device, at least 3 millimeters from the
proximal end of the device, or at least 4 millimeters from the
proximal end of the device. When the implant device has a head, a
longitudinal portion of the conduit including the protrusions may
be disposed at least 1 millimeter, at least 2 millimeters or at
least 3 millimeters from the head. Providing significant distance
between the head and commencement of the protrusion areas permits
the head to better "float" on the surface of tissue, which may
enhance patient comfort and device performance. The protrusion
areas may be disposed along a longitudinal portion of the conduit
with the protrusion areas covering no more than 35% of the area
along that longitudinal portion of the conduit, no more than 25% of
the area along that longitudinal portion of the conduit or not more
than 20% of the area along that longitudinal portion of the
conduit. Providing significant spacing between protrusion
occurrences may permit better engagement of tissue by the anchoring
surface feature.
[0013] The protrusion areas may comprise at least one
circumferential ridge. By circumferential ridge is meant a ridge
that extends around an entire circumference of the conduit. The
protrusion area may comprise at least two, at least three or at
least five circumferential ridges. The protrusion areas may
comprise a spiral ridge. Such a spiral ridge may extend along a
longitudinal portion of the conduit. The protrusion areas may
comprise a knob or may comprise multiple knobs. The anchoring
surface feature may comprise a textured surface, with the
protrusion areas comprising protruding portions of the textured
surface and the recess areas comprising recess portions of the
textured surface.
[0014] The implant device may comprise a distal anchoring or
retention feature that will be disposed in the paranasal sinus when
implanted. Such a distal feature may include, for example, barbs or
other features configured to be disposed distal of the fistula and
in the paranasal sinus when the implant device is implanted and to
provide a barrier to removal of the implant device from the fistula
by withdrawal from the proximal end of the fistula. Such a feature
may automatically deploy on insertion through the fistula. Such a
distal feature may be used with or without use also of anchor
protrusions to engage tissue within the fistula, and such a distal
feature may extend peripherally beyond a peripheral extend of such
anchor protrusions when the implant device also includes such
anchor protrusions for engaging tissue within the fistula.
[0015] The length of the implant device may be selected within the
general range stated above to provide sufficient conduit length for
extending through the entire length of the fistula plus any
extension distance desired in the lacrimal apparatus proximal to
the fistula and in the paranasal sinus distal to the fistula. The
length of the conduit may be in a range having a lower limit of 2
millimeters, 3 millimeters, 4 millimeters, 5 millimeters or 8
millimeters and an upper limit of 50 millimeters, 40 millimeters,
30 millimeters, 20 millimeters, 15 millimeters or 10 millimeters.
One preferred range for some implementations when the fistula is
between the orbit and the ethmoid sinus or the maxillary sinus is
for the length of the implant device to be in a range of from 5
millimeters to 20 millimeters, with a range of from 8 millimeters
to 15 millimeters being more preferred. By length of the implant
device it is meant the dimension longitudinally along the device
from the proximal end to the distal end, and may be along a
longitudinal axis through the internal passage. The length may be a
straight line, for example when the internal passage is straight,
or the length may be curvilinear or some other shape, for example
when the internal passage is not linear. When a reference is made
herein to transverse to the length, the reference is to a right
angle to the longitudinal direction of the length at that point
(e.g., right angle to a line of the length or to a line tangent to
a curve of the length).
[0016] The implant device may advantageously be designed with a
conduit of appropriate width dimensions to fit snuggly within a
desired size of fistula. The implant device may have a first
exterior width dimension defined by a maximum extent of the
protrusion areas transverse to the length of the device, with the
exterior width being within a range having a lower limit of 0.75
millimeter, 1 millimeter, 1.25 millimeters, 1.5 millimeters, 1.75
millimeters or 2 millimeters and an upper limit of 8 millimeters, 7
millimeters, 6 millimeters, 5 millimeters, 4 millimeters, 3
millimeters, 2 millimeters or 1.75 millimeters, provided of course
that the upper limit must be larger than the lower limit. The
conduit may have a second width dimension defined by the minimum
extent of the recess areas transverse to the length of the device,
and which second exterior width dimension will be smaller than the
first exterior width dimension defined by the protrusion areas. The
second exterior width dimension defined by the recess areas may be
smaller than the exterior width dimension defined by the protrusion
areas by an amount within a range having a lower limit of 0.2
millimeter, 0.25 millimeter, 0.35 millimeter or 0.5 millimeter and
having an upper limit of 1.5 millimeters, 1 millimeter or 0.75
millimeter. The height of the protrusion areas may be one-half the
difference between the first exterior width and the second exterior
width. Either one of or each one of the first exterior width and
the second exterior width may be the diameter of a circle.
[0017] The implant device may comprise a plurality of apertures
through a wall of the conduit to provide fluid communication from
outside of the conduit to the internal passage in the conduit. The
apertures may be located on a portion of the conduit designed to be
distal to the fistula and located in a paranasal sinus when the
implant device is implanted. Some or all of the apertures may be
located along the length of the device at least 5 millimeters from
the proximal end, at least 8 millimeters end from the proximal end
or at least 10 millimeters from the proximal end. The width of such
an aperture may be equal to or may be smaller than a width of the
portion of the internal passage into which the aperture opens.
[0018] The implant device may include a head adjacent to the
conduit at the proximal end of the implant device. The implant
device may be configured so that when the implant device is
implanted, the head is disposed in the lacrimal apparatus, and
preferably with the head located in the orbit. The head may
beneficially keep the implant device from migrating through the
fistula toward the paranasal sinus following implantation of the
implant device. The head may comprise a flanged tissue engagement
surface on a side of the head disposed toward the conduit and
configured to engage tissue outside of and adjacent to the fistula
when the implant device is implanted. The flanged tissue engagement
surface may be a flat surface. The flanged tissue engagement
surface may have non-flat surface features configured to improve
seating of the surface against tissue, such as for example to
inhibit rotation of the implant device within the fistula after
implantation. The head may have a face surface opposite the flanged
tissue engagement surface and also disposed away from the conduit
and disposed away from tissue engaged by the flanged tissue
engagement surface when the implant device is implanted. The face
surface may be substantially flat. The face surface may be disposed
at the proximal end of the implant device and the internal passage
may open at the face surface. The separation distance between the
face surface and the flanged tissue engagement surface may be in a
range having a lower limit of 0.25 millimeter, 0.5 millimeter or
0.75 millimeter and having an upper limit of 2 millimeters, 1.5
millimeters or 1 millimeter. Such separation distance need not be
constant across the flanged tissue engagement surface and face
surface. A maximum separation distance between the face surface and
the flanged tissue engagement surface may be referred to as the
depth of the head, and such depth may be in a range described above
for the separation distance between the face surface and the
flanged tissue engagement surface. The flanged tissue engagement
surface need not be continuous and may be divided into multiple
distinct surface portions. For example, the flanged tissue
engagement surface may include a first flanged portion disposed to
one side of the internal passage and a second flanged surface
portion disposed to a second side of the internal passage that is
opposite the first side. Each of the face surface and the flanged
tissue engagement surface may have a length dimension that
represents a maximum separation distance between points on an outer
edge of the respective surface, and may each have a width dimension
that is a maximum separation distance between points on the outer
edge transverse to the length dimension. The length dimensions of
the face surface and the flanged tissue engagement surface may be
the same or may be different. The width dimensions of the face
surface and the flanged tissue engagement surface may be the same
or may be different. The face surface and the flanged tissue
engagement surface may have corresponding outer edges. The length
dimension of any or all of the face surface, the flanged tissue
engagement surface and the head may be larger than a first exterior
width of the conduit defined by an extent of the protrusion areas
transverse to the length of the implant device, when the implant
device includes an anchoring surface feature such as summarized
above. The length dimension of any or all of the face surface, the
tissue engagement surface and the head may be in a range having a
lower limit of 1 millimeter, 2 millimeters, 3 millimeters, 4
millimeters or 5 millimeters and an upper limit of, 10 millimeters,
8 millimeters or 7 millimeters. The width dimension of any or all
of the face surface, tissue engagement surface and the head may be
in a range having a lower limit of 0.5 millimeter, 1 millimeter,
1.5 millimeters or 2 millimeters and an upper limit of 5
millimeters, 4 millimeters or 3 millimeters. The length dimension
of any or all of the face surface, the flanged tissue engagement
surface and the head may be at least 1 millimeter, at least 2
millimeters, at least 3 millimeters or at least 4 millimeters
larger than such first exterior width of the conduit defined by an
extent of the protrusion areas, when the implant device includes an
anchoring surface feature such as summarized above. A ratio of the
length of any of or all the face surface, the flanged tissue
engagement surface and the head to such a first exterior width of
the conduit may be at least 2. Such a ratio may be smaller than 4.
The width of any or all of the face surface, the flanged tissue
engagement surface and the head may be not larger than, or may be
smaller than (e.g., by at least 0.1 mm or by at least 0.2 mm), such
a first exterior width of the conduit defined by an extent of the
protrusion areas, when the implant device includes an anchoring
surface feature such as summarized above. A ratio of the length
dimension to the width dimension for any or all of the face
surface, the flanged tissue engagement surface and the head may be
in a range having a lower limit of 1, 1.5, 2 or 2.5 and an upper
limit of 5, 4, 3 or 2.5, provided of course that the upper limit
must be larger than the lower limit. Having a larger length
dimension to width dimension on the head is particularly preferred
when the head will be located in the orbit between the lacrimal
caruncle and the plica semilunaris, because the length dimension
may advantageously align in a vertical direction next to the
eyeball and will help provide sufficient flanged surface area to
effectively anchor the implant device on the proximal end and
impede conjunctival tissue from covering the opening into the
internal passage of the implant device, compensating for the
narrower width. This is particularly advantageous when using
polymeric materials of construction as described above.
[0019] The internal passage may have a substantially uniform shape
along the entire length of the implant device, or may have a
varying shape. The internal passage may be substantially straight
from the proximal end of the device to the distal end of the
device. The internal passage may have a cross-section available for
flow (transverse to the length of the device) that is substantially
uniform from the proximal end to the distal end of the implant
device. The internal passage may have a substantially circular
cross-section. The internal passage may have a substantially
elliptical cross-section. The width of the conduit (maximum
dimension across the cross-section of the internal passage
available for flow) may be in a range having a lower limit of 0.25
millimeter, 0.5 millimeter or 0.75 millimeter and 1 millimeter and
an upper limit of 5 millimeters, or 4 millimeters or 3 millimeters,
2 millimeters or 1.5 millimeters.
[0020] The implant device may be configured for implantation with
the conduit passing through a fistula between a location in a
lacrimal apparatus within the orbit and a paranasal sinus selected
from the group consisting of a frontal sinus, an ethmoid sinus, a
maxillary sinus and a sphenoid sinus, with a frontal sinus, a
maxillary sinus or an ethmoid sinus being preferred, with an
ethmoid sinus or a maxillary sinus being more preferred, and with
an ethmoid sinus being particularly preferred. The implant device
may be configured for implantation with the conduit passing through
a fistula between a location in the lacrimal apparatus within the
nasolacrimal duct and a paranasal sinus selected from the group
consisting of an ethmoid sinus and a maxillary sinus. The location
within the nasolacrimal duct may be within the lacrimal sac.
[0021] The implant device may be disposed within a human body as
implanted with the conduit passing through a fistula between the
lacrimal apparatus and the paranasal sinus and with the proximal
end located within the lacrimal apparatus and the distal end
located within the paranasal sinus, with a preferred implementation
including the distal end located in a paranasal sinus selected from
the group consisting of an ethmoid sinus, the maxillary sinus and a
frontal sinus and the proximal end located in the orbit, and more
preferably with the proximal end disposed between the plica
semilunaris and the lacrimal caruncle.
[0022] The implant device is primarily configured for and described
herein with primary reference to the implant device being
implantable in a fistula that may be formed between the lacrimal
apparatus and a paranasal sinus to provide a passage from the
lacrimal apparatus to the paranasal sinus. The implant device is
also implantable in a fistula that may be formed between the
lacrimal apparatus (e.g., from the corner of medial portion of the
orbit between the lacrimal caruncle and the plica semilunaris) and
the nasal cavity, for example for enhanced drainage of lacrimal
fluid, and such applications directed to the nasal cavity are
within the scope of the different aspects of the invention.
[0023] A second aspect of the invention is provided by a surgical
tool comprising an implant device and a carrier. The carrier
includes a member with a distal tip, and the member is adapted to
be disposed through a fistula between the lacrimal apparatus and a
paranasal cavity with the distal tip located in the paranasal
cavity. The carrier also includes a hand-manipulable handle
connected to the member. The implant device is mounted on the
carrier between the handle and the distal tip, with the member
disposed through the internal passage and with a proximal end of
the implant device disposed toward the handle and a distal end of
the implant device disposed toward the distal tip. The carrier is
disengageable from the implant device for implant placement of the
implant device disposed through the fistula.
[0024] A number of feature refinements and additional features are
applicable to the second aspect of the invention. These feature
refinements and additional features may be used individually or in
any combination. As such, each of the following features may be,
but are not required to be, used with any other feature or
combination of features of the second aspect or any other aspects
of the invention.
[0025] The implant device may be an implant device according to the
first aspect of the invention. The implant device may be of a
design other than according to the first aspect of the
invention.
[0026] The distal tip of the member may be a piercing tip
configured for piercing tissue to form a fistula (e.g., a sharp
tip). The distal tip of the member may be a blunt tip designed to
enter and advance through a fistula that has already been formed.
The carrier may have an internal passage extending through the
handle and the member and through which passage a guide wire may be
passed to help guide the carrier to a location where an implant
device is to be implanted in a fistula.
[0027] The member may be a solid member with the distal tip being a
distal end of the solid member. The implant device may be mounted
on the solid member with the solid member disposed through an
internal passage of the implant device. The solid member may
comprise a trocar or a stylet.
[0028] The member may be a hollow member. The implant device may be
mounted on the hollow member with the hollow member disposed
through an internal passage of the implant device. The distal tip
may comprise a distal end of the hollow member. The hollow member
may be a hollow needle or a cannula. The carrier may comprise a
syringe hub in fluid communication with the hollow interior of the
member. The syringe hub may be connected with a proximal end of the
hollow member. The syringe hub may be or comprise a part of the
handle. The syringe hub may be adapted for connecting with a
syringe to permit performance of at least one operation selected
from the group consisting of injecting fluid from the syringe
through the hollow member and aspiration of fluid through the
hollow member into a syringe. Such a hub may be configured to make
a luer connection with a syringe. The carrier may comprise another
member, which may be a solid member disposed through such a hollow
member. The distal tip of the carrier may comprise a distal end of
the solid member. The solid member may be slidably removable from a
proximal end of the hollow member. The solid member may be
disengageable from the hollow member. The solid member may be a
stylet or a trocar. The solid member may have a distal end that is
in the form of a blunt tip, or that together with a distal end of
the hollow member may form a blunt tip.
[0029] The distal end of the member, and the distal tip, may be
located at least 0.3 centimeter, at least 0.5 centimeter, at least
0.75 centimeter or at least 1 centimeter from a distal end of the
implant device. The distal end of the member, and the distal tip,
may be located not more than 5 centimeters, not more than 3
centimeters or not more than 2 centimeters from the distal end of
the implant device. The distal end of the member, and the distal
tip, may be located at least 0.75 centimeter, at least 1 centimeter
or at least 2 centimeters from the proximal end of the implant
device. The distal end of the member, and the distal tip, may be
located not more than 7 centimeters, not more than 6 centimeters,
not more than 5 centimeters, not more than 4 centimeters or not
more than 3 centimeters from the proximal end of the implant
device.
[0030] As with the first aspect, so also the surgical tool of the
second aspect may be used to implant an implant device (e.g., of
the first aspect) through a fistula between the lacrimal apparatus
and the nasal cavity.
[0031] Other aspects of the invention are provided by various
methods involving a fistula formed between the lacrimal apparatus
of a human and a paranasal sinus. The fistula involved with any of
these methods may be surgically formed by any appropriate technique
between a location in the lacrimal apparatus of a human and a
paranasal sinus. The fistula may be formed by a piercing or cutting
instrument, such as for example a needle, cutting cannula, trocar
or stylet. Other example techniques for forming the fistula include
drills, lasers, radio frequency (RF) and ultrasound. The fistula
may be formed using a surgical tool of the second aspect of the
invention. The fistula may be formed by any appropriate route
connecting a location in the lacrimal apparatus with the paranasal
sinus of interest. The route of the fistula may be from the orbit
to a frontal sinus, an ethmoid sinus or a maxillary sinus. The
route may be subconjuctival from the orbit and through a wall of
the frontal, ethmoid or maxilla bone, as the case may be. The
fistula may be between the nasolacrimal duct and either a maxillary
sinus or an ethmoid sinus. The location and the nasolacrimal duct
where the fistula is formed may be in a top part of the
nasolacrimal duct known as the lacrimal sac or may be in a location
in the nasolacrimal duct below the lacrimal sac. Although not
generally a preferred route, the fistula may be to the sphenoid
sinus, such as subconjunctivally from the orbit and through a wall
of the sphenoid bone to the sphenoid sinus. The fistula may be a
durably patent fistula, for example when access to the paranasal
sinus is desired over an extended period of time. The fistula may
be more temporary in nature and formed to perform a single
procedure after which it is desired that the fistula will quickly
repair and close.
[0032] The fistula involved with methods of the invention may be
formed by accessing a location in the lacrimal apparatus where the
proximal end of the fistula is to be located, and the fistula is
then formed through tissue into the target paranasal sinus. The
location in the nasolacrimal duct may be accessed through the
nasolacrimal duct, such as when the location where the fistula is
to be formed is located in the nasolacrimal duct. The location in
the lacrimal apparatus (e.g., lacrimal sac portion of nasolacrimal
duct) may be accessed through a canaliculus. Access to the lacrimal
duct or lacrimal sac may also be via a percutaneous or
sub-conjunctival route, from which location a fistula may be formed
from the lacrimal duct or lacrimal sac into the target paranasal
sinus. Access to the nasolacrimal duct may also be through the
buccal gingival reflection, passing through the maxillary sinus,
and the fistula may then be formed from the nasolacrimal duct to
the ethmoid sinus. When the location where the fistula will be
formed is in the orbit, access may be directly to the orbit. In
some situations the fistula may be formed surgically by first
accessing the target paranasal sinus and then surgically forming
the fistula from the paranasal sinus into a target location in the
lacrimal system. For example, the maxillary sinus may be accessed
percutaneously, sub-conjuntivally or through the buccal gingival
reflection, and then from the maxillary sinus a fistula may be
formed from the maxillary sinus to the nasolacrimal duct or
lacrimal sac. As another example, the frontal sinus may be accessed
percutaneously and then from the frontal sinus a fistula may be
formed from the frontal sinus into the orbit or lacrimal sac. For
situations when the fistula is between a location in the lacrimal
apparatus that is in the nasolacrimal duct or the lacrimal sac and
the paranasal sinus, all or a portion of the lacrimal apparatus
from the puncta to the location in the nasolacrimal sac or the
nasolacrimal duct may be intubated. Such intubation may, for
example include a conduit that extends from a punctum through a
canaliculus and to the location in the lacrimal sac or nasolacrimal
duct. Such a conduit may be an integral part of an implant device
that passes through the fistula into the paranasal sinus.
[0033] When a method involves a treatment formulation (also
referred to as a treatment composition) the treatment formulation
may be a drug formulation (also referred to as a drug composition),
for example for treatment of sinusitis or some other condition.
Such a drug formulation may include one or more than one drug. Some
example drugs that may be included in such a drug formulation
include anti-inflammatories, antimicrobials, analgesics,
mucolytics, antivirals, decongestants, steroids, antihistamines,
antibiotics and anti-fungals. Such a treatment formulation may be
an irrigation fluid, for irrigating the paranasal sinus.
[0034] Some specific methods of the invention involving a fistula
between a lacrimal apparatus of a human and paranasal sinus are
summarized below.
[0035] A third aspect of the invention is provided by a method for
providing access to a paranasal sinus of the human to permit
performance of medical treatments or procedures in the paranasal
sinus over an extended time. The method comprises creating a
surgically formed, durably patent fistula between the lacrimal
apparatus of the human and the paranasal sinus.
[0036] A number feature refinements and additional features are
applicable to the third aspect of the invention. These feature
refinements and additional features may be used individually or in
any combination. As such, each of the following features may be,
but are not required to be, used with any other feature or
combination of the third aspect or any other aspects of the
invention.
[0037] One or more techniques may be used to help maintain durable
patency of the fistula for an extended period of time. One
technique for imparting durable patency is to, during the creating,
surgically form the fistula with a relatively large diameter, and
preferably with a clean cut to form the fistula. Such large
diameter openings of clean cut tissue are highly resistant to
natural repair mechanisms and such a fistula may remain open for a
significant amount of time, which may essentially be permanent. The
fistula may be formed with a diameter of at least 2 millimeters, or
at least 3 millimeters. The fistula may be not greater than 6
millimeters, not greater than 5 millimeters, not greater than 4
millimeters or not greater than 3.5 millimeters. Another technique
for imparting durable patency to the fistula comprises disposing
through the fistula an implant device. The implant device occupies
space within the fistula and prevents tissue from repairing and
closing the fistula. The implant device may comprise an internal
passage extending across the entire length of the fistula. A
conduit of the implant device made to be disposed through the
fistula to maintain patency. The implant device may be according to
the first aspect of the invention. The implant device may be other
than according to the first aspect of the invention. The implant
device may be implanted using a surgical tool of a second aspect of
the invention. The fistula may be formed using a surgical tool
according to the second aspect of the invention. Forming the
fistula may include formation of the fistula using one surgical
tool and implanting the implant device with a different surgical
tool. The fistula may be dilated between initial formation of the
fistula and implantation of the implant device. One or more
procedures may be aided by the use of a guide wire extending
through the fistula. For example, implantation of the implant
device may involve the use of such a guide wire. As another
example, dilation of the fistula may involve the use of such a
guide wire. Another technique that may be used to impart durable
patency to the fistula comprises mechanical treatment of tissue
adjacent to fistula to inhibit tissue repair and closing of the
fistula. One mechanical treatment technique may be over-sewing
tissue adjacent to the fistula. Another mechanical treatment
technique may be stapling tissue adjacent to the fistula. Another
technique for imparting durable patency to the fistula is treating
tissue adjacent the fistula with a substance (e.g., a drug)
effective to inhibit natural repair of the fistula. The substance
may include an antigranulation agent or an anti-scarring agent. The
substance may comprise a steroid. The substance may comprise
Mitomycin C.
[0038] The method may include performing a procedure involving
introduction of a treatment formulation through the fistula into
the paranasal sinus. Such a treatment formulation may include a
drug formulation. Such a treatment formulation may include an
irrigation fluid for irrigating the paranasal sinus. The method may
comprise a procedure involving removal of fluid from a paranasal
sinus. Such removal may be effected by gravity drainage when the
fistula is to a location in the lacrimal apparatus at a lower
elevation than the paranasal sinus (e.g., fistula from frontal
sinus to orbit). Introducing a treatment formulation into the
paranasal sinus or removing fluid from the paranasal sinus, as the
case may be, may be performed through a hollow member disposed
through the fistula. Treatment formulation may be injected into the
paranasal sinus from such a hollow member and fluid may be removed
by aspiration from the paranasal sinus through such a hollow
member. Such a hollow member may be disposed through the fistula
contemporaneously with formation of the fistula. The hollow member
may be a hollow member of a surgical tool according to the second
aspect of the invention. The invention may comprise performing a
procedure at a later time not contemporaneous with forming the
fistula. The method may comprise performing a treatment comprising
administering a treatment formulation to the vicinity of the eye to
flow from the lacrimal apparatus through the fistula into the
paranasal sinus. The treatment formulation may be administered in
the form of eye drops. The treatment composition may be an
ophthalmic composition.
[0039] A fourth aspect of the invention is provided by a method for
delivering a treatment formulation to a paranasal sinus of a human.
The method comprises administering the treatment formulation for
delivery to the paranasal sinus through a fistula formed between
the lacrimal apparatus of a human and a paranasal sinus.
[0040] A number of feature refinements and additional features are
applicable to the fourth aspect of the invention. These feature
refinements and additional features may be used individually or in
any combination. As such each of the following features may be, but
are not required to be, used with any other features or combination
of the fourth aspect or any other aspects of the invention.
[0041] The administering may comprise injecting the treatment
formulation into the paranasal sinus from the hollow member
disposed through the fistula. Such a hollow member may be a hollow
needle or cannula. The fistula may be a surgically formed, durably
patent fistula. The fistula may be not durably patent. The hollow
member may be disposed through the fistula for the purpose of
delivering the treatment composition, after which the hollow member
may be removed to permit the fistula to repair and close.
[0042] The administering may comprise administering the treatment
formulation to the vicinity of an eye to flow from the lacrimal
apparatus through the fistula and into the paranasal sinus. The
treatment composition may be administered in the form of eye drops.
The eye drops may be an ophthalmic composition.
[0043] A fifth aspect of the invention is provided by a method for
performing a medical procedure in a paranasal sinus. The method
comprises aspirating fluid from or injecting fluid into the
paranasal sinus through a conduit of a medical device while the
conduit is disposed through the fistula between the lacrimal
apparatus and the paranasal sinus.
[0044] A number feature refinements and additional features are
applicable to the fifth aspect of the invention. These feature
refinements and additional features may be used individually or in
any combination. As such, each of the following features may be,
but are not required to be used with any other feature or
combination features of the fifth aspect or any other aspects of
the invention.
[0045] The conduit may be a conduit of an implant device. The
implant device may be according to the first aspect of the
invention. The implant device may be other than as according to the
first aspect of the invention. The conduit may comprise a hollow
member disposed through the fistula with the tip of the hollow
member disposed within the paranasal sinus. Such a hollow member
may be, for example, a hollow needle or a cannula. The fluid may
comprise a treatment formulation.
[0046] A sixth aspect of the invention is provided by a method for
treating a paranasal sinus of a human. The method comprises
transmitting lacrimal fluid from the lacrimal apparatus through a
surgically formed, durably patent fistula between the lacrimal
apparatus of the human and a paranasal sinus.
[0047] A number of feature refinements and additional features are
applicable to the sixth aspect of the invention. These feature
refinements and additional features may be used individually or in
any combination. As such each of the following features may be, but
are not required to be, used with any other feature or combination
of features of the sixth aspect or any other aspects of the
invention.
[0048] Lacrimal fluid (tears) have significant therapeutic
properties and providing a supply of lacrimal fluid to a paranasal
sinus may have a beneficial effect concerning sinus conditions,
such as sinusitis. The fistula may be maintained durably patent by
any appropriate technique or techniques, such as those discussed
previously. The fistula may be maintained as durably patent by an
implant device with an internal passage providing fluid
communication between the lacrimal apparatus and the paranasal
sinus for conducting lacrimal fluid from the lacrimal apparatus to
the paranasal sinus. The implant device may be according to the
first aspect of the invention. The fistula may be between locations
in the lacrimal apparatus and a paranasal sinus as previously
described. One preferred fistula route is between the orbit and an
ethmoid sinus. Another preferred fistula route is between the orbit
and a maxillary sinus.
[0049] A seventh aspect of the invention is provided by a kit
comprising multiple surgical tools. The kit includes a first
surgical tool designed for initially forming a fistula and a second
surgical tool including an implant device and designed for
implantation of an implant device in a fistula after the fistula
has already been formed to a desired size.
[0050] A number of feature refinements and additional features are
applicable to the seventh aspect of the invention. These feature
refinements and additional features may be used individually or in
any combination. As such each of the following features may be, but
are not required to be, used with any other feature or combination
of features of the seventh aspect or any other aspects of the
invention.
[0051] The kit may include a third surgical tool designed to dilate
a fistula as initially formed using the first surgical tool. The
kit may include a guide wire that may be used to guide tools to and
through the fistula. The second surgical tool may be a surgical
tool according to the second aspect of the invention. The implant
device of the second surgical tool may be according to the first
aspect of the invention. The implant device of the second surgical
tool may be not according to the first aspect of the invention.
[0052] Still other aspects of the invention are summarized
below:
[0053] The present methods and inventions described below propose a
novel way to treat sinusitis that is much less invasive than even
current advanced surgical techniques. Natural tears are rich in
lysozymes and other agents that have potent antimicrobial activity
and anti-inflammatory properties. The human eye produces an average
of 300 micro liters of tears per day. These tears drain from the
region of the medial canthus of the eye into a collection cistern,
the naso-lacrimal sac (NLS) (also referred to herein as the
lacrimal sac) and are then pumped through the nasal-lacrimal duct
(NLD) into the nasal cavity, bypassing the paranasal sinuses. Tear
outflow is governed in part by contraction of the orbicularis oculi
muscle plus passive and/or active participation by a lacrimal
pumping mechanism due to the helical arrangement of collagen and
elastin fibers that make up the NLD. The NLS is separated from the
ethmoid sinuses (a common site for isolated sinusitis) by a thin
boney wall. The mid portion of the NLD is also separated from the
maxillary sinus by a thin boney wall.
[0054] For diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, the canaliculi of
the lacrimal system can be cannulated with various probes. In
addition, endoscopic or radiological (fluoroscopic or computed
tomography (CT)) visualization can afford excellent navigational
guidance to cannulate the NLS and NLD. The creation of a permanent
or temporary communication between the NLS and the anterior ethmoid
sinuses would allow direct constant flow of antibiotic tears into
the sinuses. Similarly, the creation of a permanent or temporary
communication more inferiorly between the NLD and the ipsilateral
maxillary sinus would result in tear flow diversion into this sinus
cavity. In addition to providing a new method for draining acute
infections, this rerouting of lacrimal flow provides an effective
delivery pathway for a host of ocular-safe active medications
directly into the sinuses bypassing a major limitation to the
medical treatment of sinusitis. Medications that are highly likely
to prevent and/or treat acute/chronic sinusitis include antibiotics
(such as ofloxacin eye drops), antihistamines, steroids, and even
bacteriostatic saline eye drops (natural tears).
[0055] Once an osteotomy between the NLS/NLD and the desired sinus
cavity (the general term for this would be dacrocystosinotomy) is
procured (either from the lacrimal cannaliculi or the nasal
orifice), a temporary or permanent stent or portal could be
inserted to ensure long-term patency. Such an otomy may be termed a
dacrocystoethmoidotomy (NLS to ethmoid sinus) or a
dacrocystomaxillotomy (NLD to maxillary sinus), analogous to the
currently performed dacrocystorihnotomy (wherein the NLD is opened
into the nasal cavity at a location superior to the normal drainage
orifice). An alternate route of access into the NLD would be
through the inferior meatus under the inferior turbinate. The
following methods and instruments capitalize on functional anatomy
and physiology to optimize flow diversion into desired areas and
maintain patency of the osteotomy or osteotomies without
compromising the normal pumping mechanism of the NLS/NLD. See FIGS.
1-3 for additional anatomic details
[0056] Some specific additional aspects of the invention, which may
be combined in any combination with other aspects of the invention,
or any features thereof, contemplate:
[0057] 1. A method to divert the tear duct pathway(s) from the
superior and inferior canaliculus to the NLS & NLD and inferior
meatus towards the targeted paranasal sinuses and creating a
conduit for the purpose of treating a variety of sinus conditions
that capitalizes on the natural pumping mechanism of the NLS/NLD
system.
[0058] 2. A method to suction and/or drain and/or irrigate the
target sinus once this conduit has been established.
[0059] 3. Tools or instruments to aid drainage of the target sinus,
with or without guidance systems.
[0060] 4. Methods and tool to maintain patency of the conduit otomy
so the desired drugs or other materials can be delivered to the
target sinus to treat a variety of conditions, including stents,
drains, certain drugs, or energy sources, such as light, acoustic,
RF, heat, or cryo devices.
[0061] 5. A method whereby the natural antimicrobial and
anti-inflammatory properties of tears can be diverted into the
target sinus to reduce recurrence, relapse, or chronicity of
infectious or inflammatory conditions.
[0062] 6. If more than one sinus is targeted either on a single
side or bilaterally, a method and tools to optimize flow dynamics
preferentially into or away from a desired sinus.
[0063] 7. A method to perform this procedure as an office procedure
without general anesthesia using fluoroscopic guidance, cross
sectional imaging guidance, endoscopic guidance, unguided with
tactile and directional feedback, or a combination of the
above.
[0064] 8. A method to perform this procedure in an operative
environment as an open or image guided procedure as necessary.
[0065] 9. A method to perform these procedures with 3D and or
sterotactic guidance.
[0066] 10. Methods and tools to access the NLS and/or NLD via a
percutaneous or sub-conjunctival route.
[0067] 11. Methods and tools to access the maxillary sinus through
the buccal gingival reflection and thereby create a portal into the
NLD.
[0068] 12. Specialized instruments to access the NLS through the
superior or inferior canaliculus and thereby create a conduit or
portal through which other instruments can be delivered.
[0069] 13. Special coatings of tools to improve navigation of both
rigid and flexible devises throughout desire anatomic areas.
[0070] 14. The channels from the superior or inferior canaliculus
into the NLS are mirror image to one another; these specialized
instruments are designed to be reversible and ergonomically
efficient for accessing either portal of entry.
[0071] 15. A method and tools to perform a dacrocystogram to aid
fluoroscopic guidance.
[0072] 16. Specialized instruments to access the NLD through the
inferior meatus and thereby create a conduit or portal through
which other instruments can be delivered.
[0073] 17. Method and instruments to pass a rigid, flexible,
semi-flexible, or steerable guide wire or other navigational device
through the NLS and NLD, past the valve of Hasner to provide access
for instruments via the inferior meatus.
[0074] 18. Method and instruments to pass a rigid, flexible,
semi-flexible, or steerable guide wire or other navigational device
through the NLS and NLD, from the inferior or superior
canaliculus.
[0075] 19. A method and instruments for creating an otomy between
the NLS/NLD and the anterior ethmoid bulla.
[0076] a) Tools to create said otomy, include mechanical sources
such as drills and punches as well as energy sources (e.g. RF,
LASER, and acoustic);
[0077] b) Specialized geometries of said instruments for optimize
placement of said otomy;
[0078] c) Specialized protective devises to maximize safety of
otomy creation; and
[0079] d) The use of balloons, hooks, or other friction devices to
anchor the device in the desired anatomy and thereby create a
stable platform to create the otomy.
[0080] 20. A method and tools for navigating throughout the ethmoid
sinuses through said otomy with fluoroscopic or endoscopic
guidance, or other forms of imaging guidance including 3D or
sterotactic virtual guidance and navigation.
[0081] 21. A method and tools for navigation throughout the ethmoid
sinuses to create and insure patent communication between the
ethmoid, sphenoid and frontal sinuses so that each of these sinuses
can also be treated by the methods described herein.
[0082] 22. A method and instruments for creating an otomy between
the NLS/NLD and the maxillary sinus.
[0083] a) Tools to create said otomy, include mechanical sources
such as drills and punches as well as energy sources (e.g. RF,
LASER, and acoustic);
[0084] b) Specialized geometries of said instruments to optimize
placement of said otomy; and
[0085] c) Specialized protective devises to maximize safety of
otomy creation.
[0086] 23. Methods and instruments that capitalize on the natural
functional anatomy of the NLS and NLD to optimize flow diversion to
desired areas.
[0087] 24. Methods, tools and instruments, including special
materials and or coatings or capacity for drug elution to maintain
patency of said otomies.
[0088] 25. Techniques to provide drug elution capability of any
temporary or permanent implant devices to aid healing patency, or
optimize therapy.
[0089] 26. Methods and tools to expand the otomy to a desired final
diameter via mechanical methods such as a drill, punch, ronger,
probe, or expandable balloon.
[0090] 27. Methods and tools to expand the otomy to a desired final
diameter via energy sources such as light, heat, RF, or acoustic
devices.
[0091] 28. In certain cases, a method for delivery of a balloon
expandable or selfexpandable stent or conduit through the otomy to
help maintain patency of said otomy.
[0092] 29. Special design and techniques to manufacture said stent
or conduit to insure long term patency.
[0093] 30. Specialized geometries of said stent or conduit to
optimize flow diversion and help maintain patency of sad
pathways.
[0094] 31. Methods and instruments to optimally occlude the NLD in
a temporary or permanent manner to optimize flow diversion into the
desired sinus cavities and away from the nasal cavity, including
the use of energy sources to occlude the sinus or the installation
of temporary or permanent occlusive structures.
[0095] 32. A method of therapy to divert the tear duct pathway(s)
from the nasallacrimal sac and duct to targeted paranasal sinuses,
the method having the steps:
[0096] a) inserting a surgical tool into the lacrimal sac or duct
via the inferior or superior canaliculus;
[0097] b) guiding the tip of the surgical tool to a targeted spot
adjacent to the targeted paranasal sinus;
[0098] c) using the surgical tool to open a fistula in the septum
between the lacrimal sac or duct and the targeted paranasal sinus;
and
[0099] d) removing said surgical tool, to create conduits for tear
or pharmaceutical flow into the targeted paranasal sinuses for the
purpose of treating a variety of sinus conditions.
[0100] 33. The method of number 32 wherein the targeted paranasal
sinus is an ethmoid sinus.
[0101] 34. A method and tools to cannulate the frontal sinus via
its communication with the ethmoid sinus at the frontal-ethmoidal
recess or by direct perforation into this sinus for the treatment
of frontal sinusitis.
[0102] 35. A method and tools to cannulate the sphenoid sinus via
its communication with the ethmoid sinus at the spheno-ethmoidal
recess or by direct perforation into this sinus for the treatment
of sphenoid sinusitis.
[0103] 36. The method of number 32 wherein the targeted paranasal
sinus is a maxillary sinus.
[0104] 37. The method of number 32 wherein the diversion of the
tear pathway capitalizes on the natural pumping mechanism of the
nasal-lacrimal sac and duct system.
[0105] 38. The method of number 32 wherein the procedure could be
performed as an office procedure with or without general
anesthesia, using fluoroscopic guidance, cross sectional imaging
guidance, endoscopic guidance, unguided with tactile and
directional feedback, or a combination of the above.
[0106] 39. The method of number 32 wherein surgical tools are used
to cut or excise tissue and bone between the nasal-lacrimal sac and
duct and the targeted paranasal sinuses.
[0107] 40. A method of therapy to divert the tear duct pathway(s)
from the nasallacrimal sac and duct to targeted paranasal sinuses,
the method having the steps:
[0108] a) inserting a surgical tool into the lacrimal duct via the
valve of Hasner;
[0109] b) guiding the tip of the surgical tool to a targeted spot
adjacent to the targeted paranasal sinus;
[0110] c) using the surgical tool to open a fistula in the septum
between the lacrimal duct and the targeted paranasal sinus;
[0111] d) removing said surgical tool, to create conduits for tear
flow into the targeted paranasal sinuses for the purpose of
treating a variety of sinus conditions.
[0112] 41. The method of number 40 wherein the targeted paranasal
sinus is an ethmoid sinus & by extension, methods and tools to
treat both the frontal and sphenoid sinuses through the normal or
created communication pathways of these sinus cavities as in
numbers 34 and 35.
[0113] 42. The method of number 40 wherein the targeted paranasal
sinus is a maxillary sinus.
[0114] 43. The method of number 40 wherein the diversion of the
tear pathway capitalizes on the natural pumping mechanism of the
nasal-lacrimal sac and duct system.
[0115] 44. The method of number 40 wherein the procedure could be
performed as an office procedure with or without general anesthesia
using fluoroscopic guidance, cross sectional imaging guidance,
endoscopic guidance, unguided with tactile and directional
feedback, or a combination of the above.
[0116] 45. The method of number 40 wherein surgical tools are used
to cut or excise tissue and bone between the nasal-lacrimal sac and
duct and the targeted paranasal sinuses.
[0117] 46. A method of therapy to divert the tear duct pathway(s)
from the nasallacrimal sac an d duct to targeted paranasal sinuses,
the method having the steps:
[0118] a) inserting a surgical tool directly into a maxillary sinus
via percutaneous methods and then creating a communication into the
lacrimal duct;
[0119] b) guiding the tip of the surgical tool to a targeted spot
adjacent to the targeted paranasal sinus;
[0120] c) using the surgical tool to open a fistula in the septum
between the lacrimal duct and the targeted paranasal sinus; and
[0121] d) removing said surgical tool, to create conduits for tear
flow into the targeted paranasal sinuses for the purpose of
treating a variety of sinus conditions.
[0122] 47. The method of number 46 wherein the targeted paranasal
sinus is an ethmoid sinus & by extension, methods and tools to
treat both the frontal and sphenoid sinuses through the normal
communication pathways of these sinus cavities.
[0123] 48. The method of number 46 wherein the diversion of the
tear pathway capitalizes on the natural pumping mechanism of the
nasal-lacrimal sac and duct system.
[0124] 49. The method of number 46 wherein the procedure could be
performed as an office procedure with or without general anesthesia
using fluoroscopic guidance, cross sectional imaging guidance,
endoscopic guidance, unguided with tactile and directional
feedback, or a combination of the above.
[0125] 50. The method of number 46 wherein surgical tools are used
to cut or excise tissue and bone between the nasal-lacrimal sac and
duct and the targeted paranasal sinuses.
[0126] 51. A method of therapy to divert the tear duct pathway(s)
from the nasallacrimal sac and duct to targeted paranasal sinuses,
the method having the steps:
[0127] a) inserting a surgical tool directly into the nasal
lacrimal sac or duct via percutaneous or sub-conjunctival
approaches and then creating a communication from the lacrimal duct
into the targeted sinus;
[0128] b) guiding the tip of the surgical tool to a targeted spot
adjacent to the targeted paranasal sinus;
[0129] c) using the surgical tool to open a fistula in the septum
between the lacrimal duct and the targeted paranasal sinus; and
[0130] d) removing said surgical tool, to create conduits for tear
flow into the targeted paranasal sinuses for the purpose of
treating a variety of sinus conditions.
[0131] 52. The method of number 51 wherein the targeted paranasal
sinus is an ethmoid sinus & by extension methods and tools to
treat both the frontal and sphenoid sinuses through the normal
communication pathways of these sinus cavities.
[0132] 53. The method of number 51 wherein the targeted paranasal
sinus is a maxillary sinus.
[0133] 54. The method of number 51 wherein the diversion of the
tear pathway capitalizes on the natural pumping mechanism of the
nasal-lacrimal sac and duct system.
[0134] 55. The method of number 51 wherein the procedure could be
performed as an office procedure with or without general anesthesia
using fluoroscopic guidance, cross sectional imaging guidance,
endoscopic guidance, unguided with tactile and directional
feedback, or a combination of the above.
[0135] 56. The method of number 46 wherein surgical tools are used
to cut or excise tissue and bone between the nasal-lacrimal sac and
duct and the targeted paranasal sinuses.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0136] FIG. 1 is an illustration showing components of the lacrimal
apparatus.
[0137] FIG. 2 is an illustration showing general locations of
paranasal sinuses.
[0138] FIG. 3 is an illustration showing some example routes for
fistulas between the lacrimal apparatus and the paranasal
sinuses.
[0139] FIG. 4 is perspective view of one embodiment of an implant
device.
[0140] FIG. 5 is a side view of the same embodiment of an implant
device as shown in FIG. 4.
[0141] FIG. 6 is an end view of the same embodiment of an implant
device as show in FIG. 4.
[0142] FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the same embodiment
of an implant device as shown in FIG. 4.
[0143] FIG. 8 is a partial side view of an embodiment of an implant
device.
[0144] FIG. 9 is a partial side view of an embodiment of an implant
device.
[0145] FIG. 10 is an illustration of cross-sections of various
configurations for anchor protrusions for an implant device.
[0146] FIG. 11 is an illustration of various head configurations
for an implant device.
[0147] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an implant
device.
[0148] FIG. 13 is an end view of the same embodiment of an implant
device shown in FIG. 12.
[0149] FIG. 14 is an illustration showing an embodiment for
placement of an implant device between the lacrimal caruncle and
plica semilunaris.
[0150] FIG. 15 is a side view of an embodiment of an implant
device.
[0151] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a surgical
tool.
[0152] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a surgical
tool showing some components in exploded view.
[0153] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the same embodiment of a
surgical tool shown in FIG. 17, showing the surgical tool fully
assembled.
[0154] FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a first carrier piece
of the same embodiment of a tool shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, with the
first carrier piece connected with a syringe.
[0155] FIG. 20 is an illustration showing use of a surgical tool to
form a fistula between the orbit and an ethmoid sinus during a
surgical procedure.
[0156] FIG. 21 is an illustration showing insertion of a guide wire
following formation of the fistula during a surgical procedure.
[0157] FIG. 22 is an illustration showing a guide wire in place as
a guide to a fistula during a surgical procedure.
[0158] FIG. 23 is an illustration showing use of a surgical tool
for implantation of an implant device during a surgical
procedure.
[0159] FIG. 24 is an illustration showing placement of an implant
device following implantation during a surgical procedure.
[0160] FIG. 25 is an illustration showing use of a surgical tool to
dilate a fistula following initial formation of the fistula during
a surgical procedure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0161] The terms "lacrimal apparatus" and "lacrimal system" are
used interchangeably herein to refer to the collection of
physiological components that accomplish the production and
secretion of lacrimal fluid to lubricate the eyeball, containment
of lacrimal fluid in a reservoir of lacrimal fluid in the orbit and
drainage of lacrimal fluid from the orbit to the nasal cavity. The
lacrimal apparatus includes the lacrimal glands, the tear drainage
system and the reservoir of lacrimal fluid located between the
lacrimal glands and the tear drainage system. The reservoir of
lacrimal fluid includes the eyelid margins and the conjunctival sac
(and including the pool of tears in the lower conjunctival
cul-de-sac that is sometimes referred to as the lacrimal lake). The
tear drainage system includes the puncta, canaliculi and
nasolacrimal duct (including the so-called lacrimal sac located at
the top of the nasolacrimal duct) through which excess tears drain
to Hasner's valve and into the nasal cavity. FIG. 1 shows generally
the lacrimal apparatus. Lacrimal fluid is produced and secreted
from lacrimal glands 102 to lubricate the surface of the eyeball
104 disposed within the orbit. Lacrimal fluid forms a coating over
the eyeball 104 and is generally contained within the conjunctival
sac (the space between the lower eyelid 106, upper eyelid 108 and
eyeball 104 that is lined by the conjunctiva). Excess lacrimal
fluid is conducted to the vicinity of the medial canthus (medial
corner of the eye) and drains through the lacrimal puncta 110 into
the lacrimal canaliculi 112 and into the lacrimal sac 114 of the
nasolacrimal duct 116. The lacrimal fluid then drains from the
nasolacrimal duct 116 through Hasner's valve and into the nasal
cavity.
[0162] As used herein, a fistula between the lacrimal apparatus and
a paranasal sinus refers to an artificially-created passage that
fluidly connects the lacrimal apparatus with the paranasal sinus.
The paranasal sinuses include the frontal sinuses, maxillary
sinuses, ethmoid sinuses and sphenoid sinuses, which are cavities
contained within frontal, maxilla, ethmoid and sphenoid bones,
respectively. The paranasal sinuses drain into the nasal cavity.
FIG. 2 is a schematic of a human head showing generally the
locations of the frontal sinuses 122, the maxillary sinuses 124 and
the ethmoid sinuses 126. The sphenoid sinuses (not shown) are
located generally behind the ethmoid sinuses 126. FIG. 3 shows
generally some possible routes for a fistula between the lacrimal
system and a paranasal sinus. Reference numerals indicate the same
features as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, except as noted. FIG. 3 shows
the general proximity of the frontal sinus 122, maxillary sinus 124
and ethmoid sinus 126 relative to features of the lacrimal
apparatus. Some example fistula routes are shown in FIG. 3 by
dashed lines. A first example fistula route 130 is from the orbit
to the frontal sinus. A second example fistula route 132 is from
the orbit to the ethmoid sinus 126. A third example fistula route
134 is from the orbit to the maxillary sinus 124. A fourth example
fistula route 136 is from the lacrimal sac 114 at the top of the
nasolacrimal duct 116 to the ethmoid sinus 126. A fifth example
fistula route 138 is from the nasolacrimal duct 116 at a location
below the lacrimal sac 114 to the ethmoid sinus 126. A sixth
example fistula route 140 is from the nasolacrimal duct 116 at a
location below the lacrimal sac 114 to the maxillary sinus 124. The
example fistula routes shown in FIG. 3 are for purposes of general
illustration only and not show precise locations where a fistula
might be formed to connect a part of the lacrimal apparatus with
the corresponding paranasal sinus. Although not shown in FIG. 3,
example fistula routes to the sphenoid sinus include from the orbit
to the sphenoid sinus and from the nasolacrimal duct 116 to the
sphenoid sinus. Forming a fistula to connect to the sphenoid
sinuses is generally not as preferred as forming a fistula to
connect to the ethmoid sinus, for example because it is generally
more convenient and direct to connect with the ethmoid sinus. Also,
forming a fistula to either the ethmoid sinus 126 or the maxillary
sinus 124 is generally preferred to forming a fistula to the
frontal sinus 122, with one reason being that a fistula between the
lacrimal system and either the ethmoid sinus 126 or the maxillary
sinus 124 may be formed in a way to obtain the benefit of gravity
to assist drainage of lacrimal fluid from the lacrimal system into
the corresponding paranasal sinus through the fistula. The frontal
sinus is located generally above the orbit and will not benefit in
the same way from gravity drainage of lacrimal fluid into the
paranasal sinus. However, gravity drainage may beneficially assist
drainage of fluid from the frontal sinus.
[0163] With continued reference to FIG. 3, the first, second and
third example fistula routes 130, 132 and 134 are subconjuctival
routes that penetrate the conjunctiva to directly connect the
lacrimal fluid reservoir within the conjunctival sac to the
corresponding paranasal sinus. A fistula along such a
subconjunctival route may be surgically formed by a surgical tool
piercing through the conjunctiva and the adjacent wall of the bone
in which is disposed the corresponding paranasal sinus. For
example, for the first example fistula route 130, the fistula would
pass subconjunctivally from the orbit and through a wall of the
frontal bone into the frontal sinus 122. For example, a fistula
following second example fistula route 132 would pass
subconjuctivally from the orbit and through a wall of the ethmoid
bone into the ethmoid sinus 126. For example, a fistula following
the third example fistula route 134 would pass subconjuctivally
from the orbit through a wall of the maxilla bone into the
maxillary sinus 124. Subconjuctival routes for a fistula such as
those of the first, second and third example fistula routes 130,
132 and 134 are generally preferred as being formed at locations
that are relatively easy to access. In a preferred implementation
of the first, second and third example fistula routes 130, 132 and
134, the proximal end of the fistula opening into the orbit is
located between the lacrimal caruncle 142 and the plica semilunaris
144, shown in FIG. 3.
[0164] Continuing with reference to FIG. 3, a fistula at the
fourth, fifth or sixth example fistula routes 136, 138 and 140 will
have a proximal end opening into a location within the nasolacrimal
duct 116. Formation of a fistula in such a location requires
insertion of a surgical tool into the lacrimal drainage system,
such as through the puncta 110 and canaliculi 112 to access the
nasolacrimal duct 116 or through the nose to access the
nasolacrimal duct 116. For example, a fistula at the fourth example
fistula route 136 may be formed by a piercing instrument (e.g., a
trocar or trocar/cannula assembly) inserted into one of the puncta
110, through one of the canaliculi 112 and across the lacrimal sac
114 to pierce a hole at the location of the fourth example fistula
route 136. As another example, a fistula may be formed at one of
the fourth, fifth and sixth example fistula routes 136, 138 and 140
using a guide wire inserted into one of the puncta 110, through one
of the canaliculi 112, into the lacrimal sac 114 and downward
through the nasolacrimal duct 116. The guide wire may be used to
engage a surgical tool and to guide the surgical tool from the nose
through Hasner's valve (not shown) and to the appropriate location
within the nasolacrimal duct 116 to permit performance of a
surgical operation at that location to form the desired
fistula.
[0165] FIGS. 4-7 show one embodiment of an implant device. As shown
in FIGS. 4-7, an implant device 200 has a proximal end 202 and a
distal end 204 located on opposite longitudinal ends of the implant
device 200. The implant device 200 includes a head 206 at the
proximal end 202 and a conduit 208 extending from the head 206 to
the distal end 204. An internal passage 210 extends from the
proximal end 202 to the distal end 204, passing through the head
206 and the conduit 208. The internal passage 210 opens at the
proximal end 202 and the distal end 204, thereby providing a
passage through the entire longitudinal length of the implant
device 200. The internal passage 210 of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 4 has a cylindrical shape with a uniform circular
cross-section (transverse to the length of the implant device 200),
and the width of the internal passage is equal to the diameter of
the circle of the cross-section and is uniform along the length of
the implant device 200. The length of the implant device 200 is the
minimum distance longitudinally along the implant device 200
between the proximal end 202 and the distal end 204, and will
typically be equal to the distance along an axis of the internal
passage 210 from the proximal end 202 to the distal end 204. The
implant device 200 includes multiple anchor protrusions 212 on an
exterior of the conduit 208. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-7,
the anchor protrusions 212 are in the form of spaced
circumferential ridges that each extends around the entire
circumference of the conduit 208. Adjacent the circumferential
ridges of the anchor protrusions 212 are areas of recess 214 on the
exterior of the conduit 208.
[0166] With continued reference to FIGS. 4-7, when the implant
device is implanted to fluidly connect the lacrimal apparatus to a
paranasal sinus through a fistula, the head 206 is disposed in the
lacrimal apparatus and the proximal end 202 is disposed in the
paranasal sinus, and with at least a portion of the conduit 208
disposed through the fistula with at least one, and preferably more
than one, of the anchor protrusions 212 engaging tissue within the
fistula to anchor the implant device 200. When implanted in this
manner, the internal passage 210 opens into the lacrimal apparatus
at the proximal end 202 and into the paranasal sinus at the distal
end 204. The head 206 has a flanged tissue engagement surface 216
on a side of the head 206 disposed toward the conduit 208, and
which flanged tissue engagement surface 216 is advantageously
configured to engage tissue adjacent the proximal end of fistula
and to prevent the proximal end 202 of the implant device 200 from
migrating into the fistula following implantation. On the side of
the head 206 opposite the flanged tissue engagement surface 216 is
a face surface 218 of the head 206, which face surface 218 is
disposed away from tissue engaged by the flanged tissue engagement
surface 216 when the implant device is implanted. The head 206 has
a first dimension 220 and a second dimension 222 on both the
flanged tissue engagement surface 216 and the face surface 218. The
first dimension 220 is the length of the respective surface and the
second dimension is the width of the respective surface. Such
length and width dimensions may also be referred to as major and
minor dimensions. The first dimension 220 of a surface 216 or 218
corresponds to the maximum separation distance between points on
the outer edge of the surface, and the second dimension 222 of the
surface 216 or 218 corresponds to the maximum separation distance
between points on the outer edge of the surface that are on a line
transverse to the first dimension. Conveniently, the face surface
218 and the flanged tissue engagement surface 216 may be made with
corresponding outer edges, so that the opposing surfaces 216 and
218 have substantially equal length and width dimensions, although
such is not required. The first dimension 220 and the second
dimension 222 may be referred to generally as the length and width,
respectively, of the head 206 when the surfaces 216 and 218 have
corresponding shapes, as is the case for the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 4-7. When the surfaces 216 and 218 do not have corresponding
shapes, the length and width dimensions of the head will be
different from one or more of the length and width dimensions of
the surfaces 216 and 218. The head 206 has a depth dimension 223
between surfaces 216 and 218. The depth dimension 223 should
preferably be kept to a small value so that the head 206 will have
a low profile adjacent the proximal end of the fistula when the
implant device 200 is implanted with the flanged tissue engagement
surface engaging tissue adjacent the proximal end of the
fistula.
[0167] With continued reference to FIGS. 4-7, the conduit 208 has a
first exterior width 224 that is a maximum exterior width of the
conduit 208 as defined by the maximum extents of the anchor
protrusions 212 transverse to the length of the conduit 208. The
conduit 208 has a second exterior width 226 that is a minimum
exterior width of the conduit 208 defined between the most recessed
portions of the areas of recess 214. In the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 4-7, the height of the anchor protrusions 212 is equal to
one-half the difference between the first exterior width 224 and
the second exterior width 226 of the conduit 208. In the
configuration of the head 206 shown in FIG. 4-7, the first
dimension 220 of the head is larger than both the first exterior
width 224 and the second exterior width 226 of the conduit 208,
while the second dimension 222 of the head is approximately equal
to the second exterior width 224 of the conduit 208.
[0168] With continued reference to FIGS. 4-7, the anchor
protrusions 212 are in the form of circumferential ridges having a
width that is at a maximum at the bottom of the ridges located
adjacent the areas of recess 214, and which width tapers to a
minimum at the top of the ridges 212 located away from the recess
areas 214. Other configurations for anchor protrusions are
possible, and all anchor protrusions on an implant device need not
be of the same size, geometry or height. Likewise, areas of recess
may have varying configurations, and not all recesses on an implant
device need to be the same size or configuration. The implant
device 200 has a length 228 including the depth 223 of the head 206
and the length of the conduit 208. The anchor protrusions 212 are
on a longitudinal portion 230 of the conduit 208.
[0169] Referring now to FIG. 8, an alternative embodiment is shown
of a conduit 240 of an implant device having anchor protrusions 242
in the form of knobs, or buttons, and areas of recess 244 adjacent
the anchor protrusions 242. The conduit 240 has a first exterior
width 246 defined by the anchor protrusions 242 and a smaller,
second exterior width 248 defined by the areas of recess 244. An
example of another configuration for anchor protrusions is shown in
FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 9, a conduit 250 of an implant device has
anchor protrusions 252 and areas of recess 254 on the exterior
surface of the conduit 250. The anchor protrusions 252 are in the
form of a continuous spiral ridge extending along a portion of the
longitudinal length of the conduit 250. The conduit 250 has a first
exterior width 256 defined by the anchor protrusions 254 and a
smaller, second exterior width 258 defined by the areas of recess
254. As with the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4-7, the conduit
embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 include a height of the anchor
protrusions that is equal to one half the difference between the
larger and smaller outer diameters of the respective conduits. As
will be appreciated from the embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9, the
first exterior width is determined as the width of an envelope
volume that contains the anchor protrusions.
[0170] FIG. 10 shows examples of some shapes for anchor protrusions
that include a tapering width in a direction from the base of the
anchor protrusion toward a top of the anchor protrusion. FIG. 10
shows cross-sections of anchor protrusion configurations
(designated A-D), each having a greater width at the base than at
the top. The height (H) and base width (W) of the anchor
protrusions are indicated in FIG. 10. The cross-sections shown in
FIG. 10 may, for example, be across a ridge (e.g., circumferential
ridge, spiral ridge), a knob protrusion or other anchor protrusion
form. All of the anchor protrusion configurations A-D in FIG. 10
are shown with a leading side of the anchor protrusion on the right
side and a trailing side on left side of the anchor protrusion. By
leading side it is meant a side that enters the fistula first when
a conduit containing the anchor protrusion is inserted into the
fistula for implantation. By trailing side it is meant the side
opposite the leading side and that enters the fistula after the
leading side. As will be appreciated, forces applied to the anchor
protrusions by tissue contacting the anchor protrusions during
insertion into a fistula will impart stresses to the anchor
protrusions and, to an extent as permitted by the material of
construction of the anchor protrusion, such stresses will tend to
deform the anchor protrusion in a direction toward the trailing
side. Such deformation aids insertion, and is generally preferred
to some degree. The different shapes of the configurations A-D
affect the relative ease of insertion of a conduit into and removal
of the conduit from a fistula. Configuration A is designed to be
equally easy to insert and removable from a fistula while each of
configurations B-D are designed to be more easy to insert into a
fistula and more difficult to remove from the fistula.
Configurations B and C are angled in a way to promote more easy
insertion and more difficult removal from a fistula. Configuration
D includes a hooked end to engage tissue on the trailing side to
make removal from a fistula more difficult than insertion.
[0171] FIG. 11 shows some different example configurations
(designated E-H) for a head for an implant device. For each head
configuration, the length dimension (L) and width dimension (W) of
the head configurations are shown. The heads of configurations E-H
are shown on end showing the face surface (surface facing away from
the fistula when implanted) and the opening of the internal passage
at the proximal end of the implant device. For each of the head
configurations E-H, the length and width of the face surface and
the opposing flanged tissue engagement surface are the same. As
shown in FIG. 11, head configuration E has a circular outer edge,
and thus has equal length and width dimensions. Head configuration
F has an elongated length dimension relative to width dimension,
similar to that shown in the implant device embodiment described
with reference to FIGS. 4-7. Head configuration G has an elongated
length dimension relative to the width dimension, similar to
configuration F, but for configuration G the internal passage
opening at the proximal end of the implant device has an elliptical
cross-section, rather than a circular cross-section as is the case
for configurations E and F. Head configuration H has a
crescent-shaped head with a significantly larger length dimension
than width dimension. The internal passage for configuration H is
also shown with an elliptical cross-section. Configurations F-H,
with a larger length than width, are advantageously configured for
use with fistulas opening into the orbit between the plica
semilunaris and the lacrimal caruncle, with the length dimension of
the head extending generally in a direction from the bottom of the
orbit toward the top of the orbit next to the eyeball, and for
configuration H with the concave side of the crescent disposed
toward the eyeball and the convex side of the crescent disposed
towards the lacrimal caruncle.
[0172] FIGS. 12 and 13 show another embodiment for an implant
device. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, an implant device 300 has a
proximal end 302 and a distal end 304, with a head 306 located at
the distal end 304 and a conduit 308 extending from the head 306 to
the distal end 304. The conduit 308 includes an internal passage
310 with a cylindrical shape and opening at the proximal end 302
and the distal end 304. The conduit 310 has an exterior surface
including anchor protrusions 312, in the form of circumferential
ridges with tapering width, and areas of recess 314 adjacent the
anchor protrusions 312. The head 306 has an elongated shape with a
significantly larger length dimension 316 than width dimension 318.
As seen in FIG. 12, a flanged tissue engagement surface 320 has a
beveled configuration (beveled halves extending from central line)
to help seat against tissue in a manner to prevent rotation of the
implant device 300 when implanted. The face surface 322 is a flat
surface to provide a low profile to the head 306 when the implant
device 300 is implanted. The configuration of the head 306 is well
suited for placement between the plica semilunaris and lacrimal
caruncle for use with a subconjunctival fistula route from the
orbit where the opening of the fistula into the orbit is located
between the plica semilunaris and the lacrimal caruncle. The length
dimensions 316 and width dimension 318 represents the length and
width of each of the face surface 322 and the flanged tissue
engagement surface 320.
[0173] FIG. 14 shows an example of an implant device with a conduit
passing through a fistula formed subconjunctivally between the
lacrimal caruncle 350 and the plica semilunaris 352, and showing an
example location for the head 354 of the implant device. The head
354 is shown with an elongated configuration, such as for example
the head configuration shown in FIGS. 4-7, one of the head
configurations F-H shown in FIG. 11 or the head configuration shown
in FIGS. 12 and 13.
[0174] FIG. 15 shows another embodiment of an implant device. As
shown in FIG. 15, an implant device 400 has a proximal end 402 and
a distal end 404. The implant device 400 includes a head 406 at the
proximal end 402 and a conduit 408 extending from the head 406 to
the distal end 404. The conduit 408 has an exterior surface with
anchor protrusions 412 and areas of recess 414 adjacent the anchor
protrusions 412. An internal passage 410 (shown by dashed lines)
extends from the proximal end 402 to the distal end 404. A distal
longitudinal portion of the conduit 408 includes apertures 415
through the wall of the conduit 408 and providing fluid
communication from the internal passage 410 to outside of the
conduit 408. The apertures 415 provide a route for drug
formulations, irrigation solutions or other treatment compositions
to exit from the internal passage into different locations within a
paranasal sinus when the implant device 400 is implanted. When the
implant device 400 is implanted, at least one or more of the anchor
protrusions 412 will be located within the fistula to engage tissue
for anchoring and at least some, and preferably all, of the
apertures 415 will be disposed beyond the distal end of the fistula
inside of a paranasal cavity. The configuration shown in FIG. 15 is
particularly advantageous for situations when the conduit 408
extends through multiple cavities of a paranasal sinus or when the
conduit 408 extends from one paranasal sinus into another paranasal
sinus. The embodiment shown in FIG. 15 does not include the anchor
protrusions 412 on the longitudinal portion of the conduit 408
where the apertures 415 are disposed. As an alternative
configuration, the longitudinal portion of the conduit 408
including the apertures 415 could include anchor protrusions, of
the same configuration as those of the anchor protrusions 412 or of
different configurations.
[0175] FIG. 16 shows one embodiment of a surgical tool. As shown in
FIG. 16, a surgical tool 500 includes an implant device 502 having
a head 504 and a conduit 506, for example as previously described
with respect to any of the FIGS. 4-15. The implant device 502 is
mounted on a carrier 510. The carrier 510 comprises a handle 511
adjacent a proximal end of the surgical tool 500. The carrier 510
includes a working member 512 connected to the handle 511. The
working member 512 extends from the handle 511 through the internal
passage of the implant device 502 and to a distal end of the
surgical tool 500. At the distal end of the working member 512 is a
distal tip 514. The handle 511 may be made of any convenient
material of construction, for example plastic or metallic
compositions. The working member 512 may be made for example of a
medical-grade metallic composition, such as a medical-grade
stainless steel. In general when a member is referred to herein as
a "working member", the term indicates that the member is such that
at least a portion of the member is designed for being disposed
within or through a fistula when a tool containing the member is
used, for example during formation of a fistula or during
performance of some procedure in or through a fistula. Some
examples of working members include various hollow members (e.g.,
hypodermic needles, cannulas) and various solid members (e.g.,
trocars, stylets, dilating members, implant delivery members). Such
a working member may be disposed in or through the fistula in a
manner that the member contacts tissue in the fistula or in a
manner not to contact tissue in a fistula (e.g., inside of a
passage of an implant device passing through the fistula).
[0176] With continued to reference to FIG. 16, the implant device
502 is mounted on the carrier 510 with the working member 512
disposed through the internal passage of the implant device 502.
The width of the working member 512 disposed through the internal
passage of the implant device 502 may advantageously be sized to be
just smaller than the internal passage of the implant device for a
close fit between them, provided that the fit is not so tight that
the implant device 502 is difficult to slide down the working
member 512 toward the distal tip 514.
[0177] Continuing to refer to FIG. 16, the surgical tool 500 may be
used to form a fistula between the lacrimal system and a paranasal
sinus and to facilitate implantation of the implant device 502 in
the fistula. A surgeon may manipulate the surgical tool 500 by
hand-grasping the handle 511. The surgeon may advance the distal
tip 514 to a location within the lacrimal apparatus where the
fistula is to be formed to a target paranasal sinus. The surgeon
may then force the distal tip through tissue separating the
lacrimal apparatus and the target paranasal sinus to form the
fistula. With a leading portion of the working member 512 disposed
through the fistula, a surgeon may slide the implant device 502
along the working member 512 toward the distal tip 514 until the
implant device 502 is positioned for implantation with the conduit
506 disposed through the fistula and a flanged tissue engagement
surface of the head 506 disposed against tissue adjacent the
proximal end of the fistula in the lacrimal apparatus, or the
carrier may continue to be advanced to push the conduit 506 into
the fistula. After the implant device 502 is positioned for
implantation, the surgeon may then manipulate the handle 504 to
retract the working member 512 to withdraw the working member from
the internal passage of the implant device 502 and to fully
disengage the carrier 510 from the implant device 502, leaving the
implant device 502 implanted with the conduit 506 extending through
the fistula and into the paranasal sinus.
[0178] With continued reference to FIG. 16, the working member 512
may be a solid member (e.g., trocar, stylet) or may be a hollow
member (e.g., a hollow needle, cutting cannula). If the working
member 512 is a hollow member with an opening at the distal tip
514, then tissue will tend to be cored and collected in the hollow
interior of the working member 512 when the surgical tool 500 is
used to form a fistula. If the working member 512 is a solid
member, then tissue coring should not occur. In many instances, it
may be preferred to have the working member 512 be a solid member
that does not core tissue, because the implant device may tend to
be held more securely within a fistula formed without tissue
coring. The surgical tool 500 shown in FIG. 16 is particularly well
adapted for forming a fistula from the orbit subconjunctivally to a
paranasal sinus, and particularly when the fistula is formed at a
location in the orbit between the plica semilunaris and the
lacrimal caruncle.
[0179] FIGS. 17 and 18 show another surgical tool. FIG. 17 shows an
expanded view of some features of a surgical tool 520 and FIG. 18
shows the same surgical tool 520 as the surgical tool 520 appears
fully assembled. As shown in FIG. 17, the surgical tool 520
includes an implant device 522 with a head 524 and a conduit 526,
for example as described previously with respect to any of FIGS.
3-16. The surgical tool 520 includes a carrier with two pieces, a
first carrier piece 530 and a second carrier piece 532. The first
carrier piece 530 has a syringe hub 534 (e.g., for making a luer
connection) and a hollow working member 536 (e.g., hollow needle,
cannula) connected with the hub 534. The hollow working member 536
has a distal tip 538. The second carrier piece 532 has a handle 540
and a solid working member 542 (e.g., stylet, trocar) connected
with the handle 540. The solid working member 542 has a distal tip
544. As assembled, the surgical tool 520 includes the solid working
member 542 inserted through the interior of the hub 534 and through
the hollow interior of the hollow working member 536. As assembled,
the handle 540 of the second carrier piece 532 is disposed distal
of the hub 534 with an engagement member 544 inserted into the
interior of the hub 534. As will be appreciated, features of the
hub 534 and/or the engagement member 544 and/or the handle 540 may
contain keying and engagement features to align and/or permit
detachable engagement of the first carrier piece and the second
carrier piece when assembled. FIG. 18 shows the same surgical tool
520 as it appears fully assembled. As shown in FIG. 18, the first
carrier piece 522 and the second carrier piece 532 are engaged with
the solid working member 542 disposed through the hollow interior
of the hollow working member 536.
[0180] With continued reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, the surgical
tool 520 may be used to form a fistula between the lacrimal
apparatus and a paranasal sinus. The distal tips 538 and 544 of the
first and second carrier pieces 530 and 532 form a distal tip that
will not significantly core tissue. A surgeon may grasp the handle
540 and advance the distal tip to a location in the lacrimal
apparatus where the fistula is to be formed (e.g., in the orbit, in
the nasolacrimal duct) and the distal tip may then be forced
through tissue into a paranasal sinus to form the fistula to the
target paranasal sinus. With a leading portion of the hollow
working member 536 disposed through the fistula, the implant device
522 may be slid down the hollow working member 536 and into
position for implantation with the conduit 526 disposed through the
fistula and the head 524 disposed adjacent the proximal end of the
fistula, or the hollow working member 536 may be further advanced
to push the conduit 526 into the fistula. The hollow working member
536 may then be retracted and disengaged from the implant device
522 to leave the implant device 522 in the implanted position.
[0181] Continuing with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, the hollow
working member 536 facilitates performance of an ancillary medical
procedure involving aspirating fluid from or introducing fluid into
the paranasal sinus. For example, before or after positioning the
implant device 522 in the proper location for implantation, the
second carrier piece 532 may be disengaged from the first carrier
piece 534 to remove the solid working member 542 from the hollow
interior of the hollow working member 536. The hollow working
member 536 is then available for aspiration of fluid from or
injection of fluid into the paranasal sinus. The hub 534 may be
engaged with a corresponding connection structure of a syringe and
the syringe may be operated to aspirate fluid from the paranasal
sinus into the syringe or to inject fluid from the syringe into the
paranasal sinus. Fluids that may be injected into the paranasal
sinus include irrigation fluid or treatment compositions containing
a drug, for example to inject a drug bolus for treatment of
sinusitis. As used herein, "fluid" includes flowable compositions,
including compositions that may have a solid material dispersed or
suspended in a fluid medium. After the implant device has been
properly positioned for implantation and after performing any
desired ancillary medical procedure, the first carrier pierce may
be retracted to disengage the hollow working member 536 from the
internal passage of the implant device 522 and to leave the implant
device 522 as an implant. FIG. 19 shows the first carrier piece 536
of the surgical tool 500 connected with a syringe 550.
[0182] Referring now to FIGS. 20-25, some additional examples of
surgical procedures involving forming a fistula and implanting an
implant device, and some example surgical tools for use therewith,
will now be described.
[0183] In FIG. 20 a surgical tool in the form of an entry tool 600
is shown in the process of making a fistula through tissue between
the lacrimal caruncle 142 and the plica semilunaris 144. Numbering
of anatomical parts is the same as in FIGS. 1 and 3. The fistula is
formed through tissue between the conjunctival sac in the orbit and
the ethmoid sinus 126. The route for the fistula would be
consistent with general fistula route 132 as shown in FIG. 3. The
entry tool 600 includes a first piece 602 and a second piece 604.
The first piece 602 includes a hollow working member 606 and a hub
608. The second piece 604 includes a solid working member (not
shown) disposed through a hollow interior of the hollow working
member 606. A distal tip portion of the hollow working member 606
of the first piece 602 and a distal tip portion of the solid
working member of the second piece 604 form a distal tip 610 with a
shape suitable for insertion through the tissue to form a fistula
from the conjunctival sac to the ethmoid sinus 126. The second
piece 604 includes a hand-manipulable handle 612. The hub 608 may
be configured for connecting with a syringe or other fluid
manipulation device, such as through a luer connection. The handle
612 may be retracted relative to the hub 608 to remove the solid
working member from the interior of the hollow working member 606
and to disengage the second piece 604 from the first piece 602. As
shown in FIG. 20, the distal tip 610 has been advanced from a
location in the conjunctival sac between the caruncle 142 and the
plica semilunaris 144 to form a fistula between the conjunctival
sac and the ethmoid sinus 126. As shown, the fistula passes behind
the caruncle 142, canaliculi 112 and nasolacrimal duct 116 to
access the ethmoid sinus 126. The first piece 602 of the entry tool
600 includes a collar stop 614 to prevent the hollow working member
606 from being advanced through tissue beyond a certain distance.
The first piece 602 and the second piece 604 may, for example, be
substantially the same as the first carrier piece 530 and the
second piece 532 of the tool assembly 520 of FIG. 17, but with the
added collar stop 614 and not including an implant device mounted
thereon.
[0184] After the entry tool 600 has been used to initially form a
fistula to the ethmoid sinus 126, then the second piece 604 may be
disengaged from the first piece 602 and a guide wire inserted
through the internal passage through the hollow working member 606.
FIG. 21 shows the first piece 602 after disengagement of the second
piece 604 and after insertion of a guide wire 620 through the first
piece 602 and exiting from a distal end of the first piece 602 in
the ethmoid sinus 126. After insertion of the guide wire 620, the
first piece 602 may be retracted and removed from the fistula,
leaving the guide wire 620 in place as a guide to and through the
fistula. FIG. 22 shows the guide wire 620 disposed through the
fistula after removal of the first piece 602. The guide wire 620 is
now available for guiding additional tools to and through the
fistula into the ethmoid sinus 126.
[0185] With reference now to FIG. 23, the guide wire 620 has been
used to guide a surgical tool, in the form of an implant tool 624.
The implant tool 624 includes a hollow working member 626 and a
hand-manipulable handle 628. The implant tool 624 includes an
internal passage passing through the handle 628 and the hollow
working member 626. As shown in FIG. 23, the guide wire 620 has
been threaded through the internal passage of the implant tool 624
to guide the hollow working member 626 to and through the fistula
and into the ethmoid sinus 126. The implant tool 624 also includes
an implant device 630 mounted on the hollow working member 626.
FIG. 23 shows the implant tool 624 advanced to a point where the
distal end of the implant device 630 is in the vicinity of the
proximal end of the fistula opening into the conjunctival sac. From
this position, the implant device 630 may be advanced into the
fistula with a head of the implant device 630 disposed adjacent the
conjunctiva in the conjunctival sac and a distal end of the implant
device 630 extending into the ethmoid sinus 626. The implant tool
624 may, for example, be a tool of the design such as that shown
for the surgical tool 500 in FIG. 16, with a hollow needle for the
working needle 518. The implant device 630 of the implant tool 624
may, for example, have features as described with respect to any of
FIGS. 4-19. With the continued reference to FIG. 23, the hollow
working member 626 of the tool 624 preferably includes a blunt tip.
The handle 628 and the hollow working member 626 form a carrier for
the implant device 630. The handle 628 may be retracted and the
hollow working member 626 disengaged from the implant device 630
after the implant device has been appropriately positioned for
implantation through the fistula. As an alternative to the
configuration of the implant tool 624 as shown in FIG. 23, the
implant tool 624 could be configured to include a hub for
connection (e.g., through a luer connection) with a syringe of
other fluid manipulation device. For example, the implant tool 624
could be configured with a hub in a manner similar to the
configuration of the first piece 602 shown in FIG. 21 and with the
implant device appropriately mounted for implantation. As another
variation on the configuration of the implant tool 624, the working
member 626 could be fitted with a collar stop (e.g., as shown in
FIG. 21) or other mounting aid against which the implant device 630
could be disposed to provide some additional distance between a
proximal end of the implant device 630 and the handle 628. FIG. 24
shows the implant device 630 as implanted and following
disengagement of the hollow working member 626 of the implant tool
628. As implanted, a head 632 at the proximal end of the implant
device 630 is located adjacent the conjunctiva in the conjunctival
sac within the orbit between the caruncle 142 and the plica
semilunaris 144 and the distal end 634 of the implant device 630 is
located in the paranasal sinus 626. Some of anchor protrusions 636
are disposed within the fistula to engage tissue and help anchor
the implant device 630.
[0186] The procedure as described with reference to FIGS. 20-24
permits the working member 606 of the entry tool 600 to have a
larger diameter working member 626 to form a fistula of appropriate
size for accommodating the implant device 630 which is then
implanted in a separate step using the implant tool 624 with the
implant device 630 carried on to the working member 626, which may
advantageously have a smaller diameter then the working member 606
used to form the fistula. As an alternative, an intermediate step
to dilate the fistula to a desired size for implantation may be
performed between initially forming the fistula with the entry tool
600 and implanting the implant device 630 using the implant tool
624. FIG. 25 shows a surgical tool in the form of a dilator tool
640 having a hollow working member 642 and a hand-manipulable
handle 644. The working member 642 is disposed through the fistula,
guided by the guide wire 620 passing through an internal passage
through the dilator tool 640. As shown in FIG. 25, the working
member 642 has been advanced to the point where a stop collar 646
attached to the working member 642 has engaged conjunctival tissue
in the conjunctival sac adjacent a proximal end of the fistula. For
this alternative implementation, the hollow working member 642 of
the dilator tool 640 would have a larger diameter than the hollow
working member 606 of the entry tool 600 shown in FIGS. 20 and 21.
The hollow working member 642 of the dilator tool 640, therefore
widens the fistula further to a desired size to accommodate easier
insertion of the implant device 630. Although the intermediate step
of dilation as shown is not required, it permits the use of a
smaller-diameter working member 606 during initial formation of the
fistula. The use of a smaller diameter for the working member 606
to initially form the fistula permits better visibility and
procedural control for a surgeon performing the procedure. The
working member 642 may preferably include a blunt tip.
[0187] In a method for providing access to a paranasal sinus to a
human to permit performance of medical treatments or procedures in
the paranasal sinus over an extended time, a surgically formed,
durably patent fistula may be created between the lacrimal
apparatus of the human and the paranasal sinus. By surgically
formed, it is mean that the fistula is an artificial passage
through tissue that is intentionally formed by a surgical
operation. For example, the fistula may be formed using a trocar,
stylet, needle or cannula. The fistula may be formed by a surgical
tool as described with reference to any of FIGS. 16-19. By "durably
patent" it is meant that the fistula is resistant to closure by
natural tissue repair mechanisms and remains open (patent) for an
extended period of time to provide access into the paranasal sinus
over the extended period of time. The extended period of time may
be any period of time sufficient for performing through the fistula
any desired medical treatments or procedures. The extended period
of time may, for example, be at least 7 days, at least 14 days, at
least 30 days, at least 180 days, or longer. The extended period
may be permanent.
[0188] A fistula may be maintained as durably patent for an
extended period of time by a variety of techniques. As one example
for maintaining fistula patency, an implant device may be disposed
through the fistula to prevent the fistula from closing, and the
implant device may include an internal passage for providing access
through the fistula into the paranasal sinus. When access to the
paranasal sinus is no longer required, the implant device may be
removed to permit tissue to repair and close the fistula. The
implant device may, for example, have a configuration as described
with respect to any of FIGS. 4-19 or may have a different
configuration. As another example for maintaining fistula patency,
the fistula may be formed initially with a relatively large
diameter, and preferably with a clean cut. A large, cleanly cut
hole will naturally tend to remain patent and not repair for at
least a significant time. The relatively large diameter of the
fistula may, for example be at least 2 millimeters or larger, as
described above. When the fistula is formed with such a large
diameter, the fistula will preferably be formed at a location in
the nasolacrimal duct. As another example for maintaining fistula
patency, after the fistula is formed the tissue adjacent the
fistula may be mechanically treated to form a mechanical impediment
to tissue repair that would close the fistula. The mechanical
treatment could involve, for example over-sewing tissue adjacent
the fistula or stapling tissue adjacent the fistula to mechanically
retain the tissue in a manner to inhibit tissue repair that would
close the fistula. As another example for maintaining fistula
patency, tissue adjacent the fistula may be treated with a
substance (e.g., a drug) effective to inhibit natural tissue repair
and closure of the fistula, such as for example treatment with an
antigranulation or anti-scarring agent (e.g., steroids, Mitomycin
C).
[0189] A variety of medical treatments and procedures may be
performed through a fistula formed between the lacrimal apparatus
and a paranasal sinus, whether or not the fistula is durably
patent. One or more medical devices may be inserted into the
paranasal sinus through the fistula. For example a hollow working
member (e.g., hollow needle, cannula) may be inserted through the
fistula into the paranasal sinus to permit aspiration of fluid from
or injection of a treatment formulation (e.g., drug formulation,
irrigation fluid) into the paranasal sinus. As another example, a
treatment formulation (e.g., drug formulation, irrigation fluid)
may be transmitted through the fistula into the paranasal sinus by
natural flow from the lacrimal system. A treatment formulation may
be administered to the vicinity of the eye (e.g., as eye drops) to
naturally flow from the lacrimal apparatus through the fistula and
into the paranasal sinus. The fistula may, but need not necessarily
be, a durably patent fistula. For example, a conduit of a medical
device be inserted from the lacrimal apparatus through tissue and
into the paranasal sinus, fluid may be aspirated through or
injected from the conduit, and the conduit may then be removed to
allow the fistula formed by insertion of the conduit to quickly
repair. Such a conduit may, for example, be a hypodermic needle or
cannula (e.g., connected to a syringe, drip system or other fluid
injection/aspiration system). The fistula may be formed by
insertion of a member including the needle or cannula and may
naturally repair and close quickly following removal of the
conduit. For example, the fistula may be formed by insertion of a
hypodermic needle, a fluid may be injected or aspirated through the
hypodermic needle and the hypodermic needle may then be removed to
permit the fistula to repair. As another example, the fistula may
be formed by a trocar/cannula assembly, the trocar may then be
removed, a medical procedure performed through the cannula (e.g.,
fluid injection or aspiration), and the cannula may then be removed
to permit the fistula to repair. As another example, the fistula
may be formed by a cutting cannula, a medical procedure performed
through the cannula (e.g., fluid injection or aspiration), and the
cannula may then be removed to permit the fistula to repair.
[0190] A surgically created, durably patent fistula may be
advantageously located for transmitting lacrimal fluid (tears) to a
paranasal sinus. Lacrimal fluid from the lacrimal apparatus may be
permitted to drain into the paranasal sinus. In one preferred
implantation, the surgically-created, durably patent fistula is
from either the orbit or the nasolacrimal duct to either the
ethmoid sinus or the maxillary sinus, with a fistula route from the
orbit being more preferred.
[0191] The foregoing discussion of the invention and different
aspects thereof has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the invention
to only the form or forms specifically disclosed herein.
Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the
above teachings, and the skill or knowledge of the relevant art,
are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments
described hereinabove are further intended to explain best modes
known for practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in
the art to utilize the invention in such, or other, embodiments and
with various modifications required by the particular applications
or uses of the present invention. It is intended that the appended
claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the
extent permitted by the prior art. Although the description of the
invention has included description of one or more possible
implementations and certain variations and modifications, other
variations and modifications are within the scope of the invention,
e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art
after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to
obtain rights which include alternative embodiments to the extent
permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent
structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or
not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures,
functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without
intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.
Furthermore, any feature described or claimed with respect to any
disclosed implementation may be combined in any combination with
one or more of any other features of any other implementation or
implementations, to the extent that the features are not
necessarily technically incompatible, and all such combinations are
within the scope of the present invention.
[0192] The terms "comprising", "containing", "including" and
"having", and grammatical variations of those terms, are intended
to be inclusive and nonlimiting in that the use of such terms
indicates the presence of some condition or feature, but not to the
exclusion of the presence also of any other condition or feature.
The use of the terms "comprising", "containing", "including" and
"having", and grammatical variations of those terms in referring to
the presence of one or more components, subcomponents or materials,
also include and is intended to disclose the more specific
embodiments in which the term "comprising", "containing",
"including" or "having" (or the variation of such term) as the case
may be, is replaced by any of the narrower terms "consisting
essentially of" or "consisting of" or "consisting of only" (or the
appropriate grammatical variation of such narrower terms). For
example, a statement that some thing "comprises" a stated element
or elements is also intended to include and disclose the more
specific narrower embodiments of the thing "consisting essentially
of" the stated element or elements, and the thing "consisting of"
the stated element or elements. Examples of various features have
been provided for purposes of illustration, and the terms
"example", "for example" and the like indicate illustrative
examples that are not limiting and are not to be construed or
interpreted as limiting a feature or features to any particular
example. The term "at least" followed by a number (e.g., "at least
one") means that number or more than that number. The term at "at
least a portion" means all or a portion that is less than all. The
term "at least a part" means all or a part that is less than
all.
* * * * *