Devices, systems and methods wherein a dilator, such as a balloon or other
expandable member, is positionable within the frontal sinus ostium and
adjacent frontal recess and useable to dilate the frontal sinus ostium
and substantially all of the frontal sinus recess without requiring
repositioning and repeated re-expansion of the dilator. One balloon
catheter device of the invention comprises a catheter body that is less
than about 50 cm in length (and in some embodiments less than 25 cm in
length and a semi-compliant or non-compliant balloon on the catheter
body. The balloon may have a working length of about 12 mm to about 30 mm
and a width at its widest point when fully inflated of about 2 mm to
about 7 mm. Such balloon may be constructed to withstand inflation
pressures of about 12 atmospheres. In some embodiments, the dilator is
advanced through or over a guide (e.g., guidewire or guide catheter) that
has a preformed shape.