Mechanically registered videoscopic myringotomy/tympanostomy tube placement system
First Claim
1. A method for piercing a tympanic membrane in an ear of a patient, the method comprising:
- inserting a shaft assembly and a tympanostomy tube together into the ear canal, the shaft assembly including;
a tubular member defining a cylindrical lumen and having a proximal end and a distal end; and
a piercing member having a piercing tip,the tympanostomy tube and the piercing tip of the piercing member is positioned in the cylindrical lumen proximal to the distal end of the tubular member when the shaft assembly and the tympanostomy tube are inserted together into the ear canal;
moving the piercing member in a first direction relative to the tubular member to pierce the tympanic membrane with the piercing tip;
moving the piercing member in a second direction relative to the tubular member opposite from the first direction;
removing the shaft assembly from the ear canal.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for piercing a tympanic membrane in an ear of a patient, the method comprising:
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inserting a shaft assembly and a tympanostomy tube together into the ear canal, the shaft assembly including; a tubular member defining a cylindrical lumen and having a proximal end and a distal end; and a piercing member having a piercing tip, the tympanostomy tube and the piercing tip of the piercing member is positioned in the cylindrical lumen proximal to the distal end of the tubular member when the shaft assembly and the tympanostomy tube are inserted together into the ear canal; moving the piercing member in a first direction relative to the tubular member to pierce the tympanic membrane with the piercing tip; moving the piercing member in a second direction relative to the tubular member opposite from the first direction; removing the shaft assembly from the ear canal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of using an ear treatment system to pierce a tympanic membrane in an ear of a patient, the ear treatment system including:
- (i) a tubular member defining a cylindrical lumen, and (ii) a shaft insertable into the cylindrical lumen, the method comprising;
inserting the shaft, the tubular member, and a tympanostomy tube together into an ear canal of the patient, the tympanostomy tube positioned proximal to a distal end of the tubular member when being inserted into the ear canal; engaging, when the shaft and the tubular member are inserted into the ear canal, a portion of the ear treatment system with the tympanic membrane; moving the shaft a predetermined distance relative to the tympanic membrane to pierce the tympanic membrane; and removing the shaft and the tubular member from the ear canal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
- (i) a tubular member defining a cylindrical lumen, and (ii) a shaft insertable into the cylindrical lumen, the method comprising;
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18. A method of using an ear treatment system to pierce a tympanic membrane in an ear of a patient, the ear treatment system including:
- (i) a tubular member defining a cylindrical lumen, (ii) a shaft insertable into the cylindrical lumen, and (iii) a tympanostomy tube removably coupled to one of the tubular member and the shaft, the method including;
inserting the shaft, the tubular member, and the tympanostomy tube together into an ear canal of the patient, the tympanostomy tube positioned proximal to a distal end of the tubular member when being inserted into the ear canal; engaging, when the ear treatment system is inserted into the ear canal, a portion of the ear treatment system with the tympanic membrane; moving the shaft a predetermined distance relative to the tympanic membrane to pierce the tympanic membrane and create an opening in the tympanic membrane; directing the tympanostomy tube into the opening; and removing the shaft and the tubular member from the ear canal. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
- (i) a tubular member defining a cylindrical lumen, (ii) a shaft insertable into the cylindrical lumen, and (iii) a tympanostomy tube removably coupled to one of the tubular member and the shaft, the method including;
Specification