| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 606109000 | Ear vent or drain | 27 |
| 20080243140 | SPACING DEVICES FOR RELEASING ACTIVE SUBSTANCES IN THE PARANASAL SINUS - The invention relates to a spacing device (stent) for use in fenestrations of the paranasal sinus. Said device consists of a sheath which forms a hollow body, surrounding an internal cavity. An active substance, which is released in a controlled manner by the spacing device, is contained in the sheath or in at least one layer of the sheath. The relationship q of the external diameter of the hollow body to the internal diameter of the hollow body is expressed by 1.2≦q≦3.0. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080262508 | System and Method for the Simultaneous Bilateral Placement of Pressure Equalization Tubes - Systems and methods for bilateral treatment of a patient having a head with a first ear and a second ear function by aligning a first device with a target tissue of the first ear; aligning a second device with a target tissue of the second ear; and therapeutically remodeling, with synchronization, the target tissues of the first and second ear with the first and second aligned devices, respectively. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080262509 | System and Method for the Simultaneous Bilateral Integrated Tympanic Drug Delivery and Guided Treatment of Target Tissues Within the Ears - Systems and methods for treating a patient having a head with a first ear and a second ear function by mounting a support system to the head of the patient so that the support system is aligned with a target tissue of the first ear; applying a therapeutic agent to the first ear by energizing an iontophoresis electrode supported by the support system; and actuating a device while the device is supported by the support system so that the device therapeutically remodels the target tissue of the first ear. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080262510 | Disposable Iontophoresis System and Tympanic Membrane Pain Inhibition Method - Systems and methods for treating a patient having an ear canal and a target tissue function by positioning a fluid or gel in the ear canal, the fluid or gel comprising a therapeutic agent; retaining the fluid or gel with a support structure, the support structure supporting an electrode and a battery; and applying the agent from the fluid or gel to the target tissue by energizing the electrode with an iontophoresis potential from the battery. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20090209972 | Ventilation Device and Insertion System Therefor - A ventilation device includes a hollow body having a main portion, at least one distal member coupled to a distal end of the main portion and at least one proximal member coupled to a proximal end of the main portion. The at least one distal member is formed of a shape memory material. The hollow body includes a deployed state for maintaining an opening in an anatomical structure and an undeployed state. The shape memory material forms the at least one distal member into a deployed position. The shape memory material is reversibly deformed from the deployed state into the undeployed state such that at least the distal member changes in shape to an undeployed position, while the main portion of the hollow body remains unchanged. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090275955 | Mastoid Antral Ventilation Tube - In its broadest form, this invention enables the ventilation and drainage of the middle ear cleft via mastoid antral route, without disrupting the integrity of the eardrum. For this purpose, this tube is placed between mastoid antrum and the external ear canal after mastoidotomy (antrotomy). The tube has two cannulas, which are placed one within the other. One of these is the external cannula and it comprises a head portion made of a circular tab, a neck portion in a vertical plane to the head portion, the bent section making a right angle of 90 degrees and a longer shaft portion. Other cannula is the internal cannula and it comprises a thin, narrow and syringe-adapted-tipped canal and the canal used for the aspiration and drainage of the rest of the lumen. The external tip of the inner cannula proceeds from the external ear canal and ends pre- or retroauricularly. Through the syringe-adapted-tip of the inner cannula, serum or drugs may be administered. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090299379 | MYRINGOTOMY INSTRUMENT - An instrument for performing myringotomy operations consists of a device for incising, suctioning and grasping a tympanostomy tube (ISGTT) attached to a gripping handle. The ISGTT consists of a gripper and a pushing and suctioning member (PS) surrounded by an external tube. Peripheral fingers of the gripper press against the surface of the tubular segment of the tympanostomy tube for grasping. An incising blade disposed within the lumen of the PS is movable coaxially with the bore of the tympanostomy tube. Blade positioning selector located at the proximal end of the ISGTT provides for drawing and withdrawing the incising blade through the bore of the gripped tympanostomy tube. A lever pivotally attached to the griping handle is used to control grasping and releasing of the tympanostomy tube when properly placed. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20110015645 | TYMPANIC MEMBRANE PRESSURE EQUALIZATION TUBE DELIVERY SYSTEM - Systems and methods are provided for automatically forming an incision in a tympanic membrane of an ear and placing a tympanic membrane pressure equalization tube into the incision. The systems include a housing with a shaft extending therefrom. A mechanism is disposed within the housing. A distal end of the shaft is placed against a tympanic membrane, and the mechanism is triggered to causes the tympanic membrane to be automatically incised and dilated and a tympanic membrane pressure equalization tube to be placed in the dilated incision. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110288559 | System and Method for the Simultaneous Automated Bilateral Delivery of Pressure Equalization Tubes - Systems and methods for treating a patient having a head with a first ear and a second ear, function by aligning a first device with a tympanic membrane of the first ear; inputting a command to an input device operatively coupled to the first device to generate a signal; and actuating the first device in response to the signal so as to drive a penetrator of the device through the tympanic membrane. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20120245593 | EUSTACHIAN TUBE STENTS, INTRODUCERS AND METHODS FOR THEIR USE - A kit is provided comprising a stent, an introducer and a bender. The stent is constructed for insertion into a Eustachian tube of a human. The stent comprises a member having a preinsertion form that includes opposing exterior surfaces, means for immobilizing the stent within the Eustachian tube, and means for providing fluid communication between the opposing surfaces to effect pressure equilibration therebetween. The introducer includes a guide, an engager, and a sliding mechanism. A Eustachian tube method is also provided. The method involves using the above-described kit. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120253357 | INTRODUCER FOR OTOLARYNGOLOGICAL DEVICES - Provided is an introducer for use with otolaryngological devices such as Eustachian tube stents. The introducer includes a guide, a stopper, an engager, and a release mechanism. An otolaryngological device having a first surface and a second surface that is nonparallel to the first surface may be loaded on the introducer by frictionally engaging the first surface of the device to a distal terminus of the engager. The device may be unloaded from the introducer by actuating the release mechanism. Upon actuation, the release mechanism slides the distal terminus of the engager toward the guide while the stopper abuts the second surface of the device. As a result, the relative motion between the engager and the stopper slides the device off the engager. Also provided are kits that include the introducer and methods for using the introducer. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20130338678 | INSERTION SYSTEM FOR DEPLOYING A VENTILATION DEVICE - An insertion system includes a handle assembly and a nose assembly removably attached to the handle assembly and including an insertion end. The handle assembly includes a main body, a nose interface and an actuating element. The nose assembly includes a nose, a positioning rod extending from the nose to a distal end, a cutting sheath surrounding a distal end of the positioning rod and including a cutting edge, an actuation member having a proximal end coupled to the actuating element when the nose assembly is attached to the handle assembly and a distal end attached to the cutting sheath, a ventilation tube positioned distal to the distal end of the positioning rod and proximal to the insertion end. The cutting sheath retracts from around the ventilation tube and along the positioning rod when the actuating element on the handle assembly is moved. | 12-19-2013 |
| 20140012282 | ONE STEP TYMPANOSTOMY TUBE AND METHOD OF INSERTING SAME - A tympanostomy tube for insertion into and residence in a tympanic membrane of a mammal, is disclosed. The tympanostomy tube includes a body including a first end portion, a second end portion, a central portion dispensed between the first and second end portions. An axially extending passageway has a first open end disposed adjacent the first end portion, and a second open end disposed adjacent the second end portion, and an axis extending between the first open end and second open end. The first end portion includes a relatively enlarged diameter, generally radially extending flange. The central portion includes a reduced diameter portion sized for extending through and residing in tissue of the tympanic membrane. The second end portion includes a relatively enlarged diameter second flange disposed adjacent the second end portion. The second flange includes a perimetral edge having an incising portion sufficiently sharpened to cut as a knife through the tympanic membrane during insertion of the tympanostomy tube in the tympanic membrane. | 01-09-2014 |
| 20140100584 | EAR PRESSURE EQUALIZING TUBE AND INSERTION DEVICE - Improved ear ventilation tubes and spring loaded insertion devices for use with the ventilation tubes whereby perforation and insertion steps take place substantially simultaneously with an aspiration step following. | 04-10-2014 |
| 20140194891 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS AUTOMATED BILATERAL DELIVERY OF PRESSURE EQUALIZATION TUBES - Systems and methods for treating a patient having a head with a first ear and a second ear, function by aligning a first device with a tympanic membrane of the first ear; inputting a command to an input device operatively coupled to the first device to generate a signal; and actuating the first device in response to the signal so as to drive a penetrator of the device through the tympanic membrane. | 07-10-2014 |
| 20140276906 | FEATURES TO IMPROVE AND SENSE TYMPANIC MEMBRANE APPOSITION BY TYMPANOSTOMY TUBE DELIVERY INSTRUMENT - A tympanostomy tube delivery device comprises a shaft assembly, a pressure equalization tube, and a sensor. The shaft assembly comprises a cannula and a pusher operable to translate relative to the cannula. The pressure equalization tube is positioned within the shaft assembly. The pusher is operable to drive the pressure equalization tube out of the shaft assembly. The sensor is operable to detect a physical parameter associated with engagement between the distal end of the shaft assembly and a tympanic membrane. A controller may activate a feedback device to inform an operator that the distal end of the shaft assembly has achieved suitable apposition with the tympanic membrane, based on information from the sensor. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140296866 | Multiple Viewing Elements Endoscope Having Two Front Service Channels - An endoscope assembly has a tip that includes at least one front-pointing camera and at least one front illuminator associated therewith, at least one side-pointing camera and at least one side illuminator associated therewith, a first front service channel with a first exit point, and a second front service channel with a second exit point where the first and the second service channel exit points are located in close proximity on the front distal end of the tip. Further, an interior volume of the tip is in a range of 2.75 cm | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140303638 | EAR PRESSURE EQUALIZING TUBE AND INSERTION DEVICE - Improved ear ventilation tubes and spring loaded insertion devices for use with the ventilation tubes whereby perforation and insertion steps take place substantially simultaneously with an aspiration step following. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140303639 | EAR PRESSURE EQUALIZING TUBE AND INSERTION DEVICE - Improved ear ventilation tubes and spring loaded insertion devices for use with the of tubes whereby perforation and insertion steps take place substantially simultaneously with an aspiration step following. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20150290040 | TYMPANOSTOMY TUBE AND INSERTION DEVICE - A tympanostomy tube applicator has a hand-held housing and a stem extending from the housing and having a shape arranged for engagement in the ear canal. A tympanostomy tube inserter has a user actuator, a rod having a tip to pierce a patient's tympanic membrane and to support a tympanostomy tube through the membrane where it is pierced. The inserter inserts a collapsed tympanostomy tube through the membrane and expands the tube in situ to provide a distal flange in the tympanostomy tube. A myrongotomy tip expands the tube to a final state having a distal flange as it is retracted. | 10-15-2015 |
| 20150305944 | MECHANICALLY REGISTERED VIDEOSCOPIC MYRINGOTOMY/TYMPANOSTOMY TUBE PLACEMENT SYSTEM - Devices, systems, methods, and kits for treating the tissue structures of the ear make use of a guide structure that can mechanically register a treatment probe with a target region of a target tissue, the guide structure being fittingly received in an auditory canal and often comprising a conformable body such as a compressible foam, or the like. The guide structure may include an articulating mechanism for selectively orienting the treatment probe toward the target region of, for example, a tympanic membrane. The guide structure may also support a videoscopic image capture device, illumination transmitting optical fibers, an aiming beam transmitter, and the like. Such structures facilitate myringotomy, tympanostomy tube placement, and the like, under local anesthesia in a doctor's office. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150351967 | Bio-Absorbable Medicament-Eluting Ventilation Tube - The present disclosure relates to ventilation tubes used in the treatment of aural maladies such as, for example, otitis media. A bio-absorbable ventilation tube, optionally containing a medicament, is described for use in a land mammal. The bio-absorbable ventilation tube can be customized for both specific treatment and specific degradation rate based in part on the quantity and type of medicament added to a polymer forming the bio-absorbable ventilation tube. A method of preparing the bio-absorbable ventilation tube of the present disclosure is also provided. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20160038341 | TYMPANOSTOMY TUBE DELIVERY DEVICE WITH ELASTOMERIC BRAKE - An instrument comprises a handpiece, a boss member, a cylindraceous cam body, a linearly movable member, a cam follower, and a braking member. The cam body is rotatably supported in the handpiece and includes an exterior cam feature. The cam follower couples the linearly movable member with the cam feature of the cam body. The cam feature and the cam follower cooperatively drive the linearly movable member linearly in response to rotation of the cam body within the handpiece. The braking member extends about at least a portion of the exterior of the cam body and is positioned to progressively engage the boss member as the cam body rotates within the handpiece. The braking member and the boss member thus cooperate to provide gradual braking of the cam body. The instrument is operable to deploy a pressure equalization tube in the tympanic membrane of a patient. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160038342 | TYMPANOSTOMY TUBE DELIVERY DEVICE WITH ROTATABLE FLEXIBLE SHAFT - An instrument comprises a shaft assembly, a handpiece body, and a drive assembly. The shaft assembly comprises a plurality of coaxially arranged shafts and a tympanostomy tube. The shaft assembly further includes a flexible section. The shaft assembly extends distally from the handpiece body. The drive assembly is operable to drive the shafts of the shaft assembly in a predetermined sequence to deploy the tympanostomy tube. One or more of the shafts are configured to translate along the flexible section of the shaft assembly as a part of the predetermined sequence to deploy the tympanostomy tube. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160045369 | TYMPANOSTOMY TUBE DELIVERY DEVICE WITH CUTTER FORCE CLUTCH - A tympanostomy tube delivery device comprises a drive assembly and a force limiting shaft assembly. The shaft assembly comprises a cannula and a piercer operable to translate relative to the cannula so as to pierce the tympanic membrane of a patient. The piercer is mechanically coupled with the drive assembly such that actuation of the drive assembly causes translation of the piercer relative to the cannula. The piercer is mechanically coupled with the drive assembly by a clutch. The clutch is resiliently biased to couple the piercer with the drive assembly. The clutch is configured to uncouple the piercer from the drive assembly in response to a threshold force being imposed upon the piercer so as to inhibit translation of piercer relative to the cannula. | 02-18-2016 |
| 20160045370 | TYMPANOSTOMY TUBE DELIVERY DEVICE WITH REPLACEABLE SHAFT PORTION - A tympanostomy tube delivery device comprises a shaft assembly, a pressure equalization tube, and a handpiece. All or a portion of the shaft assembly is selectively coupleable and removable from the handpiece. The shaft assembly comprises a cannula, a piercer/dilator tube, a shield tube, and a pusher tube operable to translate relative to the cannula. The pressure equalization tube is positioned within the shield tube of the shaft assembly. The piercer/dilator tube and the shield tube are operable to pierce the tympanic membrane and dilate an opening formed therein. The pusher tube is operable to drive the pressure equalization tube out of the shield tube of the shaft assembly and into the opening formed in the tympanic membrane. Upon completion of the procedure, all or a portion of the shaft assembly may then be removed and replaced. | 02-18-2016 |
| 20160045371 | TRIGGER ASSEMBLY FOR TYMPANOSTOMY TUBE DELIVERY DEVICE - A tympanostomy tube delivery device comprises a shaft assembly, a pressure equalization tube, and a trigger assembly. The shaft assembly comprises a cannula and a pusher operable to translate relative to the cannula. The pressure equalization tube is positioned within the shaft assembly. The pusher is operable to drive the pressure equalization tube out of the shaft assembly. The trigger assembly includes a pair of pushbuttons and a linkage. The pushbuttons are secured to the device via living hinges and are selectively pivotable. The linkage is configured to engage the delivery device to thereby selectively prevent actuation of the delivery device. The pivoting of one or both the pushbuttons is configured cause the linkage to collapse so as to disengage the delivery device and thereby actuate the delivery device. | 02-18-2016 |
