System and Method for the Simultaneous Automated Bilateral Delivery of Pressure Equalization Tubes
First Claim
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1. A method for treating a patient, the patient having a head with a first ear and a second ear, the method comprising:
- 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;
actuating the first device in response to the signal so as to drive a penetrator of the device through the tympanic membrane, the penetrator defined by a tube with a cutting edge and including a receptacle; and
deploying a tympanostomy tube with the device, wherein the tympanostomy tube is radially constrained within the receptacle of the penetrator, and wherein the tympanostomy tube expands radially when released so as to inhibit expulsion.
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Abstract
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.
67 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method for treating a patient, the patient having a head with a first ear and a second ear, the method comprising:
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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; actuating the first device in response to the signal so as to drive a penetrator of the device through the tympanic membrane, the penetrator defined by a tube with a cutting edge and including a receptacle; and deploying a tympanostomy tube with the device, wherein the tympanostomy tube is radially constrained within the receptacle of the penetrator, and wherein the tympanostomy tube expands radially when released so as to inhibit expulsion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14)
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11. (canceled)
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15. A system for treating a patient, the patient having a head with a first ear and a second ear, each ear having a tympanic membrane, the system comprising:
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an input device configured to generate a signal in response to entry of a command; and a penetrator defining a tube with a cutting edge and having a receptacle, a proximal end, a distal end, and an axis therebetween, the distal end sharpened for penetration through a tympanic membrane; an actuation mechanism movably supporting the penetrator and coupled with the input device, the actuation mechanism changing from a ready state to a pierce state in response to the signal so as to penetrate the tympanic membrane when aligned therewith; and a tympanostomy tube supported by the actuation mechanism, wherein the tympanostomy tube is radially constrained within the receptacle of the penetrator, and wherein the tympanostomy tube expands radially when released. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26)
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25. (canceled)
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27. A system for treating a tympanic membrane of a patient, comprising:
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a tube with a cutting edge configured to penetrate through a tympanic membrane and including a receptacle; an actuation mechanism associated with the tube with cutting edge; and a tympanostomy tube supported by the actuation mechanism, the tympanostomy tube having a first constrained configuration and a second expanded configuration and being retained in the first constrained configuration within the receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification