Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) today announced that it launched its NuVent eustachian tube dilation balloon to treat chronic, obstructive eustachian tube dysfunction.

The medtech giant designed the NuVent balloon to allow surgeons to deliver treatment in an outpatient setting. It has a flexible balloon section that creates a customized placement option based on unique patient anatomies.

“Patients who suffer from Eustachian Tube Dysfunction often experience pain, pressure, and hearing difficulties, so it’s important to address their illness quickly,” Dr. Boris Karanfilov, a rhinologist and head of the Ohio Sinus Institute in Dublin, Ohio, said in a news release. “Balloon dilation restores proper Eustachian tube function and reduces these symptoms, plus the ability to perform the procedure in the office makes it both convenient and efficient.”

Eustachian tube dysfunction occurs when the eustachian tube fails to open or close properly. The condition leads to the tube not performing its primary functions of protecting the middle ear from pathogens, equalizing air pressure on either side of the eardrum and draining secretions from the middle ear cleft.

“Patients with persistent eustachian tube dysfunction – especially those who experience frequent pressure changes, like airline travelers and divers – often require more than nasal sprays and oral medication to treat the condition,” said Dr. Sina Joorabchi, an otolaryngologist at South Florida Ear, Nose and Throat Associates. “The NuVent balloon provides an effective, minimally invasive treatment option that can be administered in the office.”

“As office-based procedures for ENT conditions increase, we look forward to introducing more innovative technologies designed specifically for this setting,” said Vince Racano, president of Medtronic’s ear, nose, and throat business. “The NuVent balloon is another important product within this expanding portfolio.”