Mechanically registered videoscopic myringotomy/tympanostomy tube placement system
First Claim
1. A system for treating an ear of a patient having a tympanic membrane and a tissue surface, the system comprising:
- (a) a guide structure, the guide structure having a distal end, a positioning surface and a rotatable shaft including a lumen extending to the distal end, wherein the shaft defines a longitudinal axis, wherein the lumen passes through the shaft along an axis offset from the longitudinal axis of the shaft such that the axis of the lumen is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft;
(b) a tympanic membrane treatment probe oriented by the guide structure, wherein the tympanic membrane treatment probe is further supported within the lumen of the guide structure, the treatment probe including a probe lumen extending to the distal end of the guide structure and within the lumen of the guide structure and wherein the guide structure is configured to mechanically register the position of the treatment probe in relation to a target region of the tympanic membrane when the positioning surface engages the tissue surface of the ear, wherein the guide structure is operable to maintain the position of the treatment probe in accordance with the registered position of the treatment probe; and
(c) a tympanic tube associated with the treatment probe and housed within the probe lumen, wherein the tympanic tube comprises a proximal flange and a distal flange with a tubular body therebetween, the tympanic tube being arranged to be retractable within the probe lumen.
5 Assignments
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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
19 Claims
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1. A system for treating an ear of a patient having a tympanic membrane and a tissue surface, the system comprising:
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(a) a guide structure, the guide structure having a distal end, a positioning surface and a rotatable shaft including a lumen extending to the distal end, wherein the shaft defines a longitudinal axis, wherein the lumen passes through the shaft along an axis offset from the longitudinal axis of the shaft such that the axis of the lumen is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft; (b) a tympanic membrane treatment probe oriented by the guide structure, wherein the tympanic membrane treatment probe is further supported within the lumen of the guide structure, the treatment probe including a probe lumen extending to the distal end of the guide structure and within the lumen of the guide structure and wherein the guide structure is configured to mechanically register the position of the treatment probe in relation to a target region of the tympanic membrane when the positioning surface engages the tissue surface of the ear, wherein the guide structure is operable to maintain the position of the treatment probe in accordance with the registered position of the treatment probe; and (c) a tympanic tube associated with the treatment probe and housed within the probe lumen, wherein the tympanic tube comprises a proximal flange and a distal flange with a tubular body therebetween, the tympanic tube being arranged to be retractable within the probe lumen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification