A nitric oxide gas-releasing conduit configured for surgical implantation through a patient's tympanic membrane. The nitric oxide gas-releasing conduit comprises a gas-permeable cured resin material configured for releasably sequestering therein gas. The gas-permeable cured resin material is charged with nitric oxide gas. The nitric oxide gas-releasing conduit may be optionally coated with an antimicrobial gas-releasing composition. The gas-releasing coating composition may be configured to release nitric oxide.

A device insertable in the ear canal for substance delivery to and/or extraction from the tympanic cavity is described that includes a stationary body having a distal surface, a proximal surface; a movable body having a distal surface and a proximal surface, disposed within the stationary body and free to move relative to the stationary body in response to a pressure difference created in the ear canal; and at least one piercing element having a distal end and a proximal end, disposed in the movable body.

Systems and methods are provided for automatically forming an incision in a tympanic membrane of an ear and placing a tympanic membrane pressure equalization tube into the incision. The systems include a housing with a shaft extending therefrom. A mechanism is disposed within the housing. A distal end of the shaft is placed against a tympanic membrane, and the mechanism is triggered to causes the tympanic membrane to be automatically incised and dilated and a tympanic membrane pressure equalization tube to be placed in the dilated incision.

An apparatus and method is provided for reducing middle ear fluid and equalizing middle ear pressure in infants and toddlers. The apparatus coordinates the act of swallowing and the forcing of air into the nostril of the child. The coordinated actions allow air forced into the nostril to traverse the Eustachian tube when in its open state. A flexible member and a main flexible tube, connected accordingly, are both adapted to be inserted into the child's mouth and nostril, respectively, to achieve such coordination and allow air to enter the Eustachian tube when in its open state, ultimately allowing air to reach the middle ear.

A prosthesis has a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending through the tubular body and open at each of the proximal end and the distal end. The tubular body defines a longitudinal axis and has a first width in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The prosthesis also includes a first flange at one of the proximal end and the distal end with the lumen extending through the first flange. The first flange has a second width in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis that is greater than the first width. The tubular body and the first flange form a structurally self-supporting, body compatible, and body absorbable device. The device is formed of a composite structure and is adapted for insertion into an opening through a tympanic membrane.

Disclosed embodiments relate to devices, systems, and methods of shaping, shrinking, opening, dilating, stiffening, or otherwise modifying a Eustachian tube and its surrounding tissue in order to improve the Eustachian tube's function. For example, patients with blocked, closed, or hypertrophic Eustachian tubes may be able to achieve improved function including easier equalization of pressure between the inner ear and environment.

An instrument includes a handle assembly, a shaft, a dilation catheter, and a position sensor. The shaft extends distally from the handle assembly. The shaft includes a distal end that is configured to be introduced into an anatomical passageway within a head of a human. The dilation catheter includes an expandable dilator and is configured to advance distally relative to the shaft. The position sensor is configured to generate signals indicating a position of the position sensor within the head. The position sensor is configured to advance distally between at least first and second positions. The position sensor is disposed adjacent the distal end of the shaft in the first position, and is configured to be carried further distally by the dilation catheter to the second position. In the second position, the position sensor is separated a distance from the distal end of the shaft.

A tube deploying system includes a nose assembly having a distal cutting edge and a tube. The distal cutting edge is configured to be manually advanced to pierce a membrane of a patient. A handle of the system includes a pull mechanism having a slider and a pull block and an actuation member having a distal end that couples to the distal cutting edge and a proximal end that couples to the pull block. The slider is manually operated to move the pull mechanism from a non-pulled configuration to a pulled configuration. In the pulled configuration, the pull block pulls the actuation member such that the distal cutting edge is retracted to deploy the tube.

An eustachian tube (ET) drug eluting stent includes a plurality of longitudinal spars with spring-like elements between each of the plurality of longitudinal spars, creating smooth arcs between each of the plurality of longitudinal spars while minimizing impediment of mucociliary flow. The combination of the plurality of longitudinal spars with spring-like elements are configured to enter into the ET uncompressed.

A nitric oxide gas-releasing conduit configured for surgical implantation through a patient's tympanic membrane. The nitric oxide gas-releasing conduit comprises a gas-permeable cured resin material configured for releasably sequestering therein gas. The gas-permeable cured resin material is charged with nitric oxide gas. The nitric oxide gas-releasing conduit may be optionally coated with an antimicrobial gas-releasing composition. The gas-releasing coating composition may be configured to release nitric oxide.