System and method for treatment of non-ventilating middle ear by providing a gas pathway through the nasopharynx
First Claim
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1. An endoluminal implant for providing a gas pathway between a nasopharynx and a Eustachian tube (ET) of a patient, the endoluminal implant comprising:
- (a) a body dimensioned for insertion into the ET, wherein the body defines a lumen; and
(b) a valve configured to modulate opening and closing of the lumen in response to movement of tissue associated with the ET, wherein the valve comprises;
(i) a first valve portion; and
(ii) a second valve portion,wherein the first and second valve portions are movable relative to one another between a closed state in which the valve portions are configured to sealingly engage one another to thereby restrict flow of gas through the lumen, and an open state in which the valve portions are configured to separate to thereby permit flow of gas through the lumen.
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Abstract
Methods and devices for providing a gas pathway between the nasopharynx and the Eustachian tube are provided. One device may include a lumen with a valve. A portion of the valve may be tethered to adjacent muscle. Another portion of the valve may be tethered to adjacent cartilage. When the muscle contracts the valve may open through movement of the tethers, and provide a gas pathway between the nasopharynx and the Eustachian tube.
797 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An endoluminal implant for providing a gas pathway between a nasopharynx and a Eustachian tube (ET) of a patient, the endoluminal implant comprising:
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(a) a body dimensioned for insertion into the ET, wherein the body defines a lumen; and (b) a valve configured to modulate opening and closing of the lumen in response to movement of tissue associated with the ET, wherein the valve comprises; (i) a first valve portion; and (ii) a second valve portion, wherein the first and second valve portions are movable relative to one another between a closed state in which the valve portions are configured to sealingly engage one another to thereby restrict flow of gas through the lumen, and an open state in which the valve portions are configured to separate to thereby permit flow of gas through the lumen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An endoluminal implant for providing a gas pathway between a nasopharynx and a Eustachian tube (ET) of a patient, the endoluminal implant comprising a body dimensioned for insertion into the ET, wherein the body comprises:
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(i) a first body portion, (ii) a second body portion movably coupled to the first body portion, and (iii) an open interior defined between the first and second body portions, wherein the first and second body portions are resiliently biased away from one another and are configured to exert an outwardly directed force on the ET to thereby bias the ET toward an open state. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. An endoluminal implant for providing a gas pathway between a nasopharynx and a Eustachian tube (ET) of a patient, the endoluminal implant comprising:
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(a) an elongate body defining a lumen, wherein the elongate body is dimensioned for insertion into the ET; (b) a first movable portion; and (c) a second movable portion, wherein the first and second movable portions are configured to move transversely toward one another to thereby restrict flow of gas longitudinally through the lumen, wherein the movable portions are configured to move transversely away from one another to thereby permit flow of gas longitudinally through the lumen. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification