Method and apparatus for treating dilating the ethmoid infundibulum

1. A method of dilating an infundibular space within the human head, the method comprising:

directing at least a distal portion of an elongate member of a medical device into a nasal cavity of the human head, the distal portion including a piercing tip and an expandable portion;

directing the piercing tip through tissue of an uncinate process or through tissue near the uncinate process and into an ethmoid infundibulum;

expanding the expandable portion of the distal end within the ethmoid infundibulum; and

detaching the expandable portion from the medical device and withdrawing the elongate member while leaving the expandable portion within the human head.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the elongate member is advanced into the nasal cavity via a nostril.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the expandable portion is an inflatable balloon.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the expandable portion is a fully compliant inflatable balloon.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the medical device is a balloon catheter and the piercing tip is a needle having an outside diameter of at least 0.016 inches or larger.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the needle has an outside diameter of 0.028 inches.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the expandable portion is a stent.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distal portion further includes a pharmaceutical agent.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distal portion further includes a stopping member configured to limit penetration of the piercing tip into tissue.

10. The method of claim 1 , further including injecting a pharmaceutical agent into the ethmoid infundibulum.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the agent is injected through the medical device.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of an outer surface of the distal portion is made from silicone.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the expandable portion is made from silicone.