March 1, 2023

XprESS ENT Dilation System

What is the XprESS Ultra Dilation System?

Stryker’s XprESS Ultra Dilation System is a medical device used by ear, nose, and throat doctors (ENTs) to treat conditions of the middle ear and sinuses. This sterile, single-use dilation system includes a rounded balloon-tipped device for inserting into the nasal passage, a balloon dilation device, an inflation device, an extension line, and a PathAssist LED light. Each component of the Stryker XprESS ENT Dilation System is thoughtfully designed for precision and comfort when reaching the sinus and Eustachian tube areas during your dilation intervention.

Each person typically has four pairs of (or eight total) nasal sinuses: two frontal sinuses, two maxillary sinuses, two ethmoid sinuses, and two sphenoid sinuses. These air-filled cavities are located between your nose, throat, and eyes. They support your immune and respiratory systems by humidifying inhaled air, draining fluids, and triggering immune responses when needed. Having these empty cavities also helps to make our skulls lighter and impact our hearing.

Eustachian tubes are small pathways that lead from your nasopharynx (the area connecting your nose and throat) to your middle ear. Each person typically has two Eustachian tubes, one for each ear. These tubes help keep your ears healthy and comfortable by narrowing or widening as needed to equalize pressure and allow for fluid drainage while chewing, swallowing, yawning, changing altitudes (e.g., riding in an airplane or diving underwater), and more.

Sinuses and Eustachian tubes both play major roles in our daily life. It can feel frustrating and uncomfortable when they are not functioning properly, are chronically infected, or are regularly inflamed. When other medical interventions are not working or are not an option, consider talking to your physician about the Stryker XprESS ENT Dilation System and balloon dilation procedures.

What are the Benefits of the XprESS ENT Dilation System?

The Stryker XprESS Ultra Dilation System includes unique design features to enhance its maneuverability, versatility, accuracy, and comfort during procedures.

Some key features of the XprESS Ultra Dilation System not found in other dilation devices include:

• Exceptionally sleek profile of balloon dilation devices to support visualization of and access to nasal and middle ear anatomy
• Malleable tip to better align and fit with various sinus or Eustachian tube spaces
• Bending tool with various balloon size options to navigate the unique lengths and widths of individual patients’ nasal passages
• PathAssist LED Light Fiber to provide real-time feedback and visualization of XprESS Ultra Dilation System positioning.

The Stryker XprESS Ultra Dilation System’s innovative design has led to real, meaningful benefits for patients. Patients who undergo balloon dilation using the XprESS ENT dilation system report improvements in chronic symptoms, fewer instances of acute symptoms, and increased quality of life. All of that is achieved with fewer risks and shorter recovery time compared to other intervention options.

If chronic sinus pressure has you looking for relief without traditional surgery, chat with us to find an ENT near you who uses the XprESS Ultra Dilation System and can tell you whether it fits your case.

What is Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation?

Eustachian tube balloon dilation is considered a low-risk, minimally invasive procedure that can often be completed in your doctor’s office. When using the XprESS Ultra Dilation System, your ENT will carefully insert the device into your nostril and then guide it through your nasal passage until reaching the back of your nasal cavity near your throat.

The XprESS balloon device is then aligned with and inserted into the Eustachian tube opening within your middle ear. The balloon is then inflated for approximately 2 mins to reshape the cartilage line of the Eustachian tube. After inflation, the balloon is deflated and carefully removed from the middle ear and nasal passages.

If needed, your doctor can guide the XprESS Ultra Dilation System to other sinus or middle ear passages that also need dilation to treat multiple areas within the same procedure. This procedure can also be repeated on the opposite ear during the same session if both Eustachian tubes require intervention. Once the Eustachian tube balloon dilation is complete, the XprESS Ultra Dilation System is completely removed from the nasal passage and nose.

To maximize your comfort during this intervention, your physician will most often apply a local anesthetic directly to your nasal tissue for pain-numbing effects. Under local anesthesia, you will remain conscious, but likely feel groggy during the procedure with little to no discomfort felt.

In some cases, your physician may prefer to perform this procedure in a surgical setting under general anesthesia depending on the complexity of your specific condition and your other personal medical factors. Under general anesthesia, you are completely sedated and unconscious throughout the procedure.

Talk with your doctor about your specific condition and balloon dilation procedure options.

What are the Symptoms of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction?

Typically, the Eustachian tube can open and close as needed to equalize pressure and drain fluid within the inner ear. This function helps support your balance. hearing, and comfort while chewing, swallowing, yawning, riding in an airplane, driving through mountains, diving underwater, and more.

However, Eustachian tube function can be impaired by conditions that cause infection, inflammation, or blockages in the middle ear pathway. When these conditions are chronic or persisting, you may be diagnosed with Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD).

Common conditions that may be associated with ETD include:

• Muscular dysfunction within the Eustachian tube lining
• Allergic inflammation of the nose (rhinitis) or nasal sinuses (rhinosinusitis) with pressure equalization and discomfort issues
• Other infectious or inflammatory conditions (e.g., viral upper respiratory infections)
• Tobacco use or tobacco smoke exposure
• Exposure to radiation or radiation therapy
• Exposure to nitrous oxide
• Deviated nasal septum
• Chronic reflux
• Cleft palate

Signs and symptoms of Eustachian tube dysfunction include experiencing:

• Muffled or limited hearing
• Feeling one or both ears are clogged or plugged
• Feeling a clicking, popping, or tickling sensation in one or both ears
• Balance changes
• Ringing (or tinnitus) in one or both ears

Some people may experience chronic symptoms while others experience more frequent, acute flare-ups of ETD signs and symptoms. People also sometimes report worsening symptoms when experiencing changes in altitude.

If left untreated, ETD can lead to more serious conditions or complications long-term, including:

• Middle ear and ear drum damage over time
• Perforation of the eardrum
• Otitis media with effusion
• Collapsing (atelectasis) of the middle ear
• Adhesive otitis media, or adhesion of the middle ear structures
• Cholesteatoma, or non-cancerous skin growth (keratosis), in the middle ear

If you believe you are experiencing any of the signs and symptoms of ETD, have found other ETD treatments unsuccessful, or feel that ETD is impacting your quality of life, talk to your physician about your options for Eustachian tube balloon dilation.

What are the Pros and Cons of Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation?

The use of the XprESS Ultra Dilation System for Eustachian tube dilation is a low-risk, minimally invasive procedure used to reduce your EDT symptoms. As with any medical procedure, there are Eustachian tube balloon dilation pros and cons.

Potential benefits of undergoing Eustachian tube balloon dilation include:

• Relief from symptoms related to ETD, including improved ear pressure equalization
• Prevention of future blockages or narrowing due to the structural occasions that occur
• Lower likelihood of needing future interventions
• Improved quality of life
• Reduced risk of infection
• Reduced recovery time

While studies have shown ample benefits of Eustachian tube dilation, there are some inherent risks associated with any medical procedure that should be considered.

Some risks of balloon dilation of the Eustachian tube include:

• Infection
• Nosebleed
• Lack of symptom relief
• Potential trauma to tissues in nasal, nasopharynx, or Eustachian tube cavities

Each person may report a unique set of signs and symptoms related to Eustachian tube dysfunction. If you believe you have ETD-related symptoms that are negatively impacting your life, consult with your provider about your treatment options. Your physician will be able to ask additional questions and perform a few more exams to determine if the XprESS Ultra Dilation System for Eustachian tube balloon dilation is an option for you.

What Happens After Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation?

Knowing what to expect after eustachian tube balloon dilation helps you make informed decisions regarding your health. As mentioned, one benefit of Eustachian tube balloon dilation procedures is the quick recovery time for most patients. As a minimally invasive procedure, balloon dilation does not require incisions and can typically be done with local anesthesia in your physician's office. This means most patients do not need to recover from wounds or the effects of general anesthesia.

As a result, patients resume most typical daily living activities immediately after their procedure. You may experience some mild soreness or congestion for the first few days after your intervention. Typically, your physician will prescribe a nasal spray to increase your comfort and moisturize your nasal passages during recovery.

You may be asked to return for a follow-up visit approximately one or two weeks after your Eustachian tube balloon dilation procedure. Here, your physician will assess your recovery and Eustachian tube functioning. You may be asked to perform the Valsalva maneuver by holding your nose, closing your mouth, and trying to blow air out to feel the “popping” sensation of equalized air pressure. At your follow-up visit, your doctor will review any further follow-up or ETD monitoring recommendations.

While many people have experienced the benefits of Eustachian tube balloon dilation, it is important to make a decision that meets your specific wants and needs. Talk with your provider about your ETD treatment options and if balloon dilation is right for you.