Devices and Method for Maxillary Sinus Lavage

1 . A catheter for the lavage of a maxillary sinus comprising:

a distal portion comprising:

an elongate shaft with a bend angle of between about 90 degrees and 140 degrees,

a distal irrigation tube in coaxial arrangement with said elongate shaft,

a distal hub,

a proximal hub, and

an actuator between said distal hub and said proximal hub for advancing the distal irrigation tube into the maxillary sinus; and

a proximal portion comprising an irrigation luer and irrigation tubing.

2 . The catheter of claim 1 wherein the irrigation tip comprises a distal tip opening.

3 . The catheter of claim 2 wherein the irrigation tip further comprises one or more radially facing openings.

4 . The catheter of claim 1 wherein the distal irrigation tube comprises a flexible material selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyethylene, polyether ether ketone or polyether block amides.

5 . The catheter of claim 4 wherein the distal irrigation tube is a polyether block amide.

6 . The catheter of claim 1 further comprising one or more direct visualization markers.

7 . The catheter of claim 1 further comprising one or more radiographic markers.

8 . The catheter of claim 1 wherein the distal irrigation tube surrounds the elongate shaft.

9 . The catheter of claim 1 wherein the distal irrigation tube is surrounded by the elongate shaft.

10 . The catheter of claim 1 further comprising an illuminating fiber.

11 . The catheter of claim 1 wherein the distal irrigation tip has a tapered configuration.

12 . The catheter of claim 1 further comprising a pulsation device.

13 . The catheter of claim 12 wherein the pulsation device comprises a valve assembly.

14 . A catheter for the lavage of a maxillary sinus comprising:

a distal portion comprising:

an elongate shaft with a bend angle of between about 90 degrees and 140 degrees,

a distal irrigation tube in coaxial arrangement with said elongate shaft, and

a handle comprising an actuator, and

a proximal portion comprising an irrigation luer and irrigation tubing,

wherein the actuator is useful for advancing the distal irrigation tube into the maxillary sinus.

15 . The catheter of claim 14 wherein the actuator comprises a light access port and wherein the distal portion further comprises an illuminating fiber.

16 . A kit for the lavage of a maxillary sinus, said kit comprising a catheter and an endoscope,

wherein the catheter comprises a distal portion and a proximal portion,

said distal portion comprising:

an elongate shaft with a bend angle of between about 90 degrees and 140 degrees,

a distal irrigation tube in coaxial arrangement with said elongate shaft,

an illuminating fiber, and

a handle comprising an actuator, said actuator having a light access port and

said proximal portion comprising an irrigation luer and irrigation tubing,

wherein the actuator is useful for advancing the distal irrigation tube into the maxillary sinus; and

an endoscope for insertion into the light access port.

17 . A method for lavaging a maxillary sinus, said method comprising:

positioning an lavage catheter comprising a proximal portion, and a distal portion in the nasal anatomy of a patient, wherein the distal portion comprises an irrigation tip;

connecting a fluid source to the irrigation catheter;

with one hand, advancing the irrigation tip into the maxillary sinus; and

delivering fluid to the maxillary sinus from the fluid source though the lavage catheter.

18 . The method of claim 17 wherein the delivering the fluid occurs at a flow rate of between 50 ml/min and 250 ml/min.

19 . The method of claim 17 wherein the fluid is selected from the group consisting of water, saline, contrast agents, antimicrobial agents anti-inflammatory agents, decongestants, mucous thinning agents, anesthetic agents, analgesic agents, anti-allergenic agents, allergens, anti-proliferative agents, hemostatic agents, cytotoxic agents, and biological agents or combinations of any of the above.

20 . A kit for the lavage of a maxillary sinus, said kit comprising a maxillary lavage catheter,

wherein the catheter comprises a distal portion and a proximal portion,

said distal portion comprising:

an elongate shaft with a bend angle of between about 90 degrees and 140 degrees,

a distal irrigation tube in coaxial arrangement with said elongate shaft,

an illuminating fiber, and

a handle comprising an actuator,

said proximal portion comprising an irrigation luer and irrigation tubing,

wherein the actuator is useful for advancing the distal irrigation tube into the maxillary sinus; and

a illuminating fiber connector for connecting said illuminating fiber to a light source, wherein the illuminating fiber connector allows for rotation of the catheter while the catheter is connected to the light source.

21 . A kit for the lavage of a maxillary sinus, said kit comprising a catheter and fluid delivery system,

wherein the catheter comprises a distal portion and a proximal portion,

said distal portion comprising:

an elongate shaft with a bend angle of between about 90 degrees and 140 degrees,

a distal irrigation tube in coaxial arrangement with said elongate shaft,

an illuminating fiber, and

a handle comprising an actuator,

said proximal portion comprising an irrigation luer and irrigation tubing,

wherein the actuator is useful for advancing the distal irrigation tube into the maxillary sinus; and

a fluid delivery system for providing continuous fluid delivery to the catheter.

22 . The kit of claim 21 wherein the fluid delivery system comprises:

a syringe;

a fluid reservoir;

a first one-way valve for directing fluid from the syringe into the catheter when pressure is applied to the syringe and a second one-way valve for directing fluid from the fluid reservoir into the catheter when pressure is released from the syringe.