Entellus Medical launches new sinus-dilation device

Entellus' XprESS device

A day after it publicly announced its new CEO, Entellus Medical Inc. has launched a new sinus-dilation tool.

The company’s Xpress device uses a balloon catheter to dilate both the frontal and sphenoid sinus spaces during surgery for chronic sinusitis. The sphenoid sinuses are small cavities located deep within the skull.

The device features a shapeable tip and allows for ear, nose and throat surgeons to enlarge narrowed sinus openings by inflating the balloon through the catheter.

The Xpress device received sales clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in February, according to a statement from Maple Grove, Minnesota-based Entellus.

“We believe our XprESS device nicely complements the surgeon’s traditional set of sinus surgery tools by enlarging narrowed sinus pathways with less tissue disruption,” said new CEO Brian Farley.

Entellus also markets another sinus device and treatment, which it calls FinESS. The minimally invasive FinESS procedure is performed by inserting a balloon catheter into a patients nasal cavity through a tiny incision under the lip, then expanding the balloon in the passageway and draining excess mucus from the sinus. It’s designed to clear obstruction in the maxillary sinuses, which are the largest sinus cavities and located below the cheeks.