Features to improve and sense tympanic membrane apposition by tympanostomy tube delivery instrument
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- (a) a shaft assembly having a distal end having an annular distal face, wherein the shaft assembly comprises;
(i) a cannula, and(ii) a pusher operable to translate relative to the cannula;
(b) a pressure equalization tube positioned within the shaft assembly, wherein the pusher is operable to drive the pressure equalization tube out of the shaft assembly; and
(c) at least one exposed electrode positioned at the distal end of the shaft assembly, wherein the at least one exposed electrode is (i) operable to detect a physical parameter associated with the distal end of the shaft assembly as the distal end of the shaft assembly is advanced toward and into engagement with a tympanic membrane and (ii) comprises an annular electrode disposed on the annular distal face of the distal end of the shaft assembly.
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Accused Products
Abstract
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.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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(a) a shaft assembly having a distal end having an annular distal face, wherein the shaft assembly comprises; (i) a cannula, and (ii) a pusher operable to translate relative to the cannula; (b) a pressure equalization tube positioned within the shaft assembly, wherein the pusher is operable to drive the pressure equalization tube out of the shaft assembly; and (c) at least one exposed electrode positioned at the distal end of the shaft assembly, wherein the at least one exposed electrode is (i) operable to detect a physical parameter associated with the distal end of the shaft assembly as the distal end of the shaft assembly is advanced toward and into engagement with a tympanic membrane and (ii) comprises an annular electrode disposed on the annular distal face of the distal end of the shaft assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus comprising:
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(a) a shaft assembly having a distal end having an annular distal face, wherein the shaft assembly comprises; (i) a cannula, and (ii) a pusher operable to translate relative to the cannula; (b) a pressure equalization tube positioned within the shaft assembly, wherein the pusher is operable to drive the pressure equalization tube out of the shaft assembly; (c) at least one exposed electrode comprising an annular electrode disposed on the annular distal face of the distal end of the shaft assembly; and (d) a controller, the controller operable to apply a voltage to the at least one exposed electrode such that the controller can detect a capacitance formed between the at least one electrode and a tympanic membrane. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A method comprising:
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(a) disposing a shaft assembly proximate a tympanic membrane of a patient such that a capacitance is formed by a distal end of the shaft assembly and the tympanic membrane, the distal end having an annular distal face, the shaft assembly comprising; (i) a cannula, (ii) a pusher operable to translate relative to the cannula, and (iii) at least one exposed electrode including an annular electrode disposed on the annular distal face of the distal end of the shaft assembly; (b) advancing the shaft assembly into engagement with the tympanic membrane of the patient; (c) detecting a change in the capacitance formed by the distal end of the shaft assembly and the tympanic membrane; and (d) operating, in response to the detecting, the pusher of the shaft assembly to drive a pressure equalization tube positioned within the shaft assembly out of the shaft assembly.
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18. An apparatus comprising:
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(a) a shaft assembly having a distal end, wherein the shaft assembly comprises; (i) a cannula, and (ii) a pusher operable to translate relative to the cannula; (b) a pressure equalization tube positioned within the shaft assembly, wherein the pusher is operable to drive the pressure equalization tube out of the shaft assembly; and (c) at least one exposed electrode positioned at the distal end of the shaft assembly, wherein the at least one exposed electrode is (i) operable to detect a physical parameter associated with the distal end of the shaft assembly as the distal end of the shaft assembly is advanced toward and into engagement with a tympanic membrane and (ii) disposed within an inner diameter of the distal end of the shaft assembly.
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Specification