Balloon Sinuplasty^™

Balloon Sinuplasty^™ Technology Animation

 

Technology Overview

Balloon Sinuplasty™ devices are an endoscopic, catheter-based system. To-date this technology has been used in over 80,000 patients and over 200 cases are performed each day. Data published in leading Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) medical journals shows that the technology is safe and effective: study participants received significant relief from their symptoms. In addition, patients returned to normal daily activity quickly - often within 24 hours.

Balloon Sinuplasty™ technology is used by qualified ENT physicians and involves the use of tiny balloons to open blocked sinuses similar to how angioplasty uses balloons to open blocked coronary arteries.

The diagram below shows an inflamed left maxillary sinus.

An ENT physician will use Balloon Sinuplasty™ devices to open the blockage that is preventing sinus drainage. The following picture summarizes the steps associated with using the Balloon Sinuplasty™ technology:

1. Gain Access to the Sinus
   To gain initial sinus access, a sinus guide catheter is introduced into the nasal cavity to target the sinus ostia under endoscopic visualization. A sinus guidewire or a sinus illumination system is introduced through the sinus guide catheter and gently advanced into the target sinus.

2. Inflate Balloon Across Ostium
   The sinus balloon catheter is introduced over the sinus guidewire or sinus illumination system and positioned across the blocked ostium. The position of the sinus balloon catheter is confirmed and the balloon is gradually inflated to open and remodel the narrowed or blocked ostium.

3. Remove Balloon and Irrigate Sinus
   The sinus balloon catheter is then deflated and removed, leaving the ostium open. The sinus is then irrigated, flushing tenacious sinus contents - like pus and mucus.

4. Remove System
   The irrigation catheter is removed, leaving the sinus cleared of mucus allowing the return of sinus drainage. There is little to no disruption to mucosal lining.