A method (of treating a patient who has tinnitus) includes: providing to the patient a series of tones including at least a single tone which is at least a half-octave outside a tinnitus frequency of the patient; and applying vagus nerve stimulation to the patient to induce a period of plasticity in a cortex of the patient that is transitory and that represents a transitory opportunity for learning to occur; and wherein the at least a single tone occurs during the transitory opportunity for learning.

A method (of treating a patient who has tinnitus) includes: providing to the patient a series of tones including at least a single tone which is at least a half-octave outside a tinnitus frequency of the patient; and applying vagus nerve stimulation to the patient to induce a period of plasticity in a cortex of the patient that is transitory and that represents a transitory opportunity for learning to occur; and wherein the at least a single tone occurs during the transitory opportunity for learning.

The present invention relates to methods for treating a microbial infection comprising administering a composition comprising one or more antibiotic compounds to the site of the infection by instilling the composition into the tympanostomy tube. A delivery cannula can be used to instill the composition into the tympanostomy tube.

The present invention relates to methods for treating a microbial infection comprising administering a composition comprising one or more antibiotic compounds to the site of the infection by instilling the composition into the tympanostomy tube. A delivery cannula can be used to instill the composition into the tympanostomy tube.

Helical body with blades for cutting, stirring, removing and cleaning in solids and closed and open tubular shapes. The blades create more points to cut and contact with less material and remove what they cut and withdraw in the same movement. In ear cleaning they reduce the risk of pushing in the cerumen. The helicoid to remove earwax is manufactured with the same processes and machines of the art of swabs, adding two steps, preforming and forming. This one, by placing halves of helicoid molds in bands or cylinders where, by pressure, a vacuum, and heat, they form the blades. The machine produces quantities per minute similar to the current ones. Uses of the invention are possible in cutting and removal of rocks, in mechanical tools for working on metals or hard materials, in medicine for removal and extraction in ducts, veins and arteries, in personal use and domestic utensils where blades replace fibers.

An ear drop applicator for the application of ear drops, which comprises a tray (3) for receiving a bottle of ear drops placed therein wherein the tray (3) comprises a spout (5) for inserting into an ear canal and through which the ear drops can pass from the bottle into the ear canal.

An apparatus includes a rigid body, a flexible sealing element, a nozzle assembly, and an electrode. The rigid body defines a channel, a reservoir, and a vent path. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the channel. The vent path is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The reservoir is configured to provide spacing between the channel and the vent path. The sealing element is positioned distal to the rigid body. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle head and a post. The post extends distally through the channel of the rigid body. The nozzle head projects distally from a distal end of the post. The electrode is disposed within the channel of the rigid body. The reservoir extends laterally from a longitudinal axis defined by the electrode.

An apparatus includes a rigid body, a flexible sealing element, a nozzle assembly, and an electrode. The rigid body defines a channel, a reservoir, and a vent path. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the channel. The vent path is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The reservoir is configured to provide spacing between the channel and the vent path. The sealing element is positioned distal to the rigid body. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle head and a post. The post extends distally through the channel of the rigid body. The nozzle head projects distally from a distal end of the post. The electrode is disposed within the channel of the rigid body. The reservoir extends laterally from a longitudinal axis defined by the electrode.

The present disclosure describes a system for the delivery of therapeutic substances to the cavities of a patient. The system can include a wearable micropump that is fluidically coupled with a handpiece. The handpiece can be inserted, for example, into the middle ear via a surgical tympanotomy approach. The system can enable a controlled injection of a therapeutic substance directly into the patient's cavity.

A tympanostomy tube placement device has a needle with a tip, and a retainer at the needle tip. The retainer is within and retains by pulling radially inwardly a tympanostomy tube distal flange in a folded configuration extending distally. Movement of the needle tip in the proximal direction causes the adhesive bond to break and the distal flange releases to an unconstrained deployed position. Due to the axial folding of the distal flange its radial dimension does not affect deployment through the membrane.