Sinusitis, mucocysts, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, choanal
atresia, fractures and other disorders of the paranasal sinuses,
Eustachian tubes, Lachrymal ducts and other ear, nose, throat and mouth
structures are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive
approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to
instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and
devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air/gas
flow studies, anatomic dimension studies and endoscopic studies. Access
and occluding devices may be used to facilitate insertion of working
devices such asendoscopes, wires, probes, needles, catheters, balloon
catheters, dilation catheters, dilators, balloons, tissue cutting or
remodeling devices, suction or irrigation devices, imaging devices,
sizing devices, biopsy devices, image-guided devices containing sensors
or transmitters, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices,
devices for injecting diagnostic or therapeutic agents, devices for
implanting devices such as stents, substance eluting or delivering
devices and implants, etc.