Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the ear nose and throat

1. A method of using a dilation system, wherein the dilation system comprises a dilation instrument with an expandable member operable to dilate an anatomical structure, the method comprising:

(a) coupling the dilation instrument with a navigation adapter, wherein the navigation adapter includes a lumen extending from a proximal end of the navigation adapter to a distal end of the navigation adapter, wherein the lumen is configured to receive the expandable member therethrough, wherein the navigation adapter further includes a navigation element configured for detection by a navigation system;

(b) inserting the dilation instrument in a patient, such that the navigation element is positioned external to the patient and the expandable member is positioned in a passageway in the patient;

(c) operating a navigation system to determine a position of the navigation element, wherein the position of the navigation element is indicative of a position of the dilation instrument in the patient; and

(d) tracking movement of the dilation instrument in the patient based on the position of the navigation element as determined by the navigation system.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the navigation system is configured to optically detect the navigation element.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the navigation element comprises a reflective element, wherein the navigation system is configured to detect light reflected by the reflective element.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the navigation element is configured to emit light.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the navigation element is configured to emit infrared light.

6. The method of claim 2 , wherein the navigation system comprises a camera.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the navigation element is configured to emit electromagnetic energy.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the navigation element is configured to emit radiofrequency energy.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the navigation element comprises a radiopaque marker.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dilation instrument comprises a balloon catheter, wherein the expandable member comprises a balloon.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the passageway in the patient comprises an opening of a paranasal sinus in the patient.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the navigation element includes an electromagnetic sensor.

13. A method of dilating an anatomical passageway in a patient, the method comprising:

(a) coupling a dilation instrument with a navigation adapter, wherein the navigation adapter includes a coupling feature configured to receive a portion of the dilation instrument, wherein the navigation adapter includes a navigation element configured for detection by an electromagnetic navigation system;

(b) inserting a distal portion of the dilation instrument into the patient, wherein the distal portion comprises an expandable member, wherein the dilation instrument further includes a proximal portion located external to the patient after the distal portion is inserted in the patient;

(c) operating the electromagnetic navigation system to observe the navigation element located on the proximal portion of the dilation instrument that is located external to the patient, wherein a position of the navigation element is indicative of a position of the distal portion in the patient;

(d) operating the distal portion of the dilation instrument such that the expandable member is positioned in the anatomical passageway; and

(e) expanding the expandable member within the anatomical passageway to thereby dilate the anatomical passageway.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the anatomical passageway comprises a sinus ostium.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the proximal portion comprises a plurality of navigation elements.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the navigation element includes an electromagnetic coil, wherein the electromagnetic navigation system is configured to detect a movement of the electromagnetic coil.

17. A method of using a dilation system and an electromagnetic navigation system in a patient, comprising:

(a) coupling a dilation instrument with a navigation adapter, wherein the navigation adapter is configured to removably couple with a portion of the dilation instrument, wherein the navigation adapter is configured to receive an expandable dilation member therethrough, wherein the navigation adapter includes a navigation element configured for detection by the electromagnetic navigation system;

(b) inserting an expandable member of the dilation instrument into the patient such that a navigation element of the dilation instrument is positioned external to the patient;

(c) activating the electromagnetic navigation system to locate a position of the navigation element external of the patient and a position of the expandable member in an anatomical structure;

(d) moving the expandable member within the patient toward the anatomical structure; and

(e) observing the movement of the expandable member in the patient with the electromagnetic navigation system based on the position of the navigation element relative to the expandable member.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the anatomical structure in the patient comprises an opening associated with drainage of a paranasal sinus in the patient.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the navigation element is configured to emit electromagnetic energy.

20. The method of claim 17 , wherein the dilation instrument comprises a plurality of navigation elements.