Drain for the eardrum and apparatus for introducing the same

• US 3,888,258 A
• Filed: 10/29/1973
• Issued: 06/10/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Taichiro Akiyama
• Original Assignee: Taichiro Akiyama
• Inventors: Akiyama, Taichiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Pace, Channing L.
• Application Number:
  US05/410,688
• Time in Patent Office: 589 Days
• Field of Search: 128/305,347,350,DIG.8,334UT
• US Class Current: 606/109
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 11/202 Surgical middle-ear ventilation or drainage, e.g. permanent; Implants therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/08 Collagen

Abstract

A drain for the eardrum is formed of a high polymer with the properties of absorbency and swelling. An apparatus for inserting the drain for the eardrum includes a needle with a sharp tip, a tube sheathing the needle and a trigger to project the sharp end of the needle from the end of the tube. When the trigger is drawn, the sharp tip of the needle is extended from the end of the tube and is then inserted into the drain, and used to bore a hole through the eardrum and to insert the drain into the hole.

Claims

1. Apparatus for inserting a hollow drain in the eardrum comprising:

a body;

a tube extending axially of said body from one end thereof;

a needle received within said tube and movable between a retracted position and an extended position in which its tip projects from the end of said tube remote from said body;

a contact element positioned within said body and mounted on the rear end of said needle opposite said tip;

a spring within said body urging said needle into said retracted position; and

, a pressing means mounted in said body for pressing on said contact element for moving said needle from said retracted position to said extended position, the outside diameter of said needle being substantially equal to the inside diameter of said drain whereby said needle is adapted to be received within the drain for positioning of the drain adjacent said tip, and the outside diameter of said tube being larger than the inside diameter of said drain whereby said remote end of said tube is adapted to bear against one end of said drain, said apparatus being thereby adapted to be moved into position adjacent the eardrum, said needle being adapted to be extended for forming a hole in the eardrum, and said tube being adapted to be thereafter forced against said drain for forcing the drain into said hole to thereby position the drain relative to the eardrum.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pressing means is a trigger pivotally mounted in said body.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising:

a drain holder removably retained in a annularly grooved recess in said body, said drain holder comprising a holder body, a handle at one end of said holder body, a drain holding portion at the other end of said holder body formed with holes to accommodate drains, and an annular bulge around said holder body for engaging said groove to retain said drain holder in said body.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pressing means is a push button mounted on a leaf spring at the end of said body, remote from said one end, the adjacent parts of said body being formed as shoulders for engagement by the fingers of the operator when pressing said button, said leaf spring being fixed to said shoulders.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a detachable guard tube enclosing said tube and mounted on said one end of said body.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 in combination with a drain for the eardrum, said drain comprising a hollow element of polymeric material having properties of absorbency and swelling.