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. A method for providing a gas pathway in the middle ear region of a patient, the method comprising:
- (a) advancing a guide catheter into the Eustachian tube (ET) of the patient via the patient'"'"'s nasopharynx;
(b) introducing an interventional device through the guide catheter into the ET of the patient to relieve obstruction or blockage in the ET;
(c) removing the interventional device from the ET;
(d) introducing an endoluminal ET ventilating implant into the ET of the patient through the guide catheter;
(e) advancing the implant into the ET adjacent the cartilage and tensor villi palatine or the levator villi palatine muscles, wherein the implant is dimensioned for insertion into the ET adjacent the nasopharynx;
(f) tethering the implant to tissue; and
(g) removing the guide catheter from the ET, leaving the implant tethered in the tissue;
thereby providing a gas pathway between the ET lumen and the nasopharynx using the implant, the implant being dimensioned and configured to modulate an opening in a gas pathway in communication with the ET lumen and the nasopharynx.
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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.
796 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for providing a gas pathway in the middle ear region of a patient, the method comprising:
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(a) advancing a guide catheter into the Eustachian tube (ET) of the patient via the patient'"'"'s nasopharynx; (b) introducing an interventional device through the guide catheter into the ET of the patient to relieve obstruction or blockage in the ET; (c) removing the interventional device from the ET; (d) introducing an endoluminal ET ventilating implant into the ET of the patient through the guide catheter; (e) advancing the implant into the ET adjacent the cartilage and tensor villi palatine or the levator villi palatine muscles, wherein the implant is dimensioned for insertion into the ET adjacent the nasopharynx; (f) tethering the implant to tissue; and (g) removing the guide catheter from the ET, leaving the implant tethered in the tissue; thereby providing a gas pathway between the ET lumen and the nasopharynx using the implant, the implant being dimensioned and configured to modulate an opening in a gas pathway in communication with the ET lumen and the nasopharynx. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 10, 11)
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4. A kit for providing a gas pathway in the middle ear region of a patient, the kit comprising:
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(a) a guide catheter having a bend on its distal tip; (b) an interventional device for treating the Eustachian Tube (ET) to relieve obstruction or blockage in the ET; and (c) an implant comprising a resiliently biased elongated member dimensioned for insertion into the ET at an end adjacent the nasopharynx, through the patient'"'"'s nasopharynx, wherein the elongated member is sized and configured to apply a force against the ET through the resilient bias to modulate fluid communication through the ET lumen. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13)
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9. A kit for obtaining and maintaining proper functioning of the Eustachian Tube (ET), the kit comprising:
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(a) a guide catheter having a bend on its distal tip; (b) an interventional device for treating the Eustachian Tube (ET) to relieve obstruction or blockage in the ET; and (c) an endoluminal implant dimensioned for insertion into the ET at an end adjacent to the nasopharynx, through the patient'"'"'s nasopharynx, wherein the endoluminal implant comprises a valve configured to modulate opening and closing of the ET lumen in response to movement of tissue associated with the ET. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification