Force measurement instrument for sinuplasty procedure

1. A dilation instrument, comprising:

(a) a body;

(b) a dilation catheter having an expandable dilator, the dilation catheter being configured to move relative to the body;

(c) a guide member extending distally from the body, wherein the dilation catheter is configured to translate relative to the guide member, wherein the guide member is configured to guide the dilation catheter as the dilation catheter translates relative to the guide member; and

(d) a force sensor operatively connected to the guide member and configured to sense a force imparted against a distal end of the guide member for monitoring engagement with an anatomy of a patient,

wherein the guide member has a proximal portion defining a first longitudinal axis and a distal portion defining a second longitudinal axis, wherein the second longitudinal axis is oriented obliquely relative to the first longitudinal axis, wherein the guide member further includes a preformed bend between the proximal portion and the distal portion, wherein the preformed bend is rigid.

2. The dilation instrument of claim 1 , wherein the force sensor is configured to measure a longitudinal force component of force oriented along a longitudinal axis of the guide member.

3. The dilation instrument of claim 1 , wherein the force sensor is positioned at a proximal portion of the guide member.

4. The dilation instrument of claim 1 , wherein the force sensor is configured to measure a transverse force component of the force oriented along a path that is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the guide member.

5. The dilation instrument of claim 1 , wherein the force sensor is coaxially positioned relative to the guide member.

6. The dilation instrument of claim 1 , wherein the force sensor is configured to measure a torque associated with the force oriented along a path that is angular about a longitudinal axis of the guide member.

7. The dilation instrument of claim 1 , wherein the force sensor comprises a strain gauge.

8. The dilation instrument of claim 1 , wherein the force sensor comprises a flex circuit wrapped about a proximal portion of the guide member.

9. The dilation instrument of claim 1 , wherein the guide member comprises a guide tube.

10. The dilation instrument of claim 1 , wherein the guide member is rigid.

11. The dilation instrument of claim 1 , further comprising:

(a) a processing module in communication with the force sensor; and

(b) a feedback device in communication with the processing module, wherein the processing module is configured to drive the feedback device to provide feedback to an operator in response to the force exceeding a threshold.

12. The dilation instrument of claim 11 , wherein the feedback device is operable to provide one or more of audible feedback or tactile feedback.

13. The dilation instrument of claim 1 , wherein the dilation catheter is slidably disposed within an interior of the guide member.

14. The dilation instrument of claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the guide member is rigid.

15. A dilation instrument, comprising:

(a) a body;

(b) a dilation catheter having an expandable dilator, the dilation catheter being configured to move relative to the body;

(c) a guide member extending distally from the body, the guide member having a rigid shaft body with a bent distal portion, wherein the dilation catheter is configured to translate relative to the guide member, wherein the guide member is configured to guide the dilation catheter as the dilation catheter translates relative to the guide member; and

(d) a force sensor unitarily coupled to the guide member, the force sensor being positioned at a proximal portion of the guide member, the force sensor being configured to sense a force imparted against the bent distal portion of the guide member.

16. The dilation instrument of claim 15 , wherein the proximal portion of the guide member is cylindraceous and has an exterior, wherein the force sensor is wrapped coaxially about the exterior of the proximal portion of the guide member.

17. The dilation instrument of claim 15 , wherein the guide member terminates in a rigid distal end.

18. A method of addressing an anatomical passageway within a head of a patient, the method comprising:

(a) inserting a guide member into a head of a patient and toward the anatomical passageway within the head of the patient;

(b) engaging a distal portion of the guide member against an anatomical structure within the head of the patient such that the anatomical structure imparts a force against the guide member;

(c) measuring the force imparted to the distal portion of the guide member by the anatomical structure, wherein the force is measured using a force sensor, wherein the force sensor is secured to a proximal portion of the guide member;

(d) receiving an alert from a feedback device if the measured force exceeds a threshold, wherein the feedback device is driven based on signals from the force sensor; and

(e) guiding a dilation catheter through the guide member to thereby position a dilator of the dilation catheter in the anatomical passageway.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising

expanding the dilator to thereby dilate the anatomical passageway.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein guiding the dilation catheter through the guide member includes advancing the dilation catheter along a guidewire.