This disclosure features artificial tympanic membrane graft devices and two-component bilayer graft devices that include a scaffold having a plurality of ribs made of a first material and a plurality of spaces between the ribs filled or made with the first material, a different, second material, a combination of the first and a second materials, or a combination of a second material and one or more other different materials. The bilayer graft devices have two components or layers. One component, e.g., the underlay graft device, can include a projection, and the second component, e.g., the overlay graft device, can include an opening that corresponds to the projection (or vice versa) so that the opening and the projection can secure the two layers together in a lock and key manner. This disclosure also features methods of making, using, and implanting the three-dimensional artificial tympanic membrane and bilayer graft devices.

Disclosed is a method of treating a chronic tympanic perforation with a PCL patch tissue regeneration scaffold comprising preparing solution by adding polycaprolactone (PCL) and an acid to an organic solvent; preparing an electrospinning solution by adding a growth factor to the solution and stirring; collecting nanofibers arranged in a spindle shape on a collector by connecting the electrospinning solution prepared to a syringe pump and operating the electrospinning device; and administering the PCL patch tissue regeneration scaffold to a subject.

Implantable devices, such as artificial organs, increasingly incorporate hardware, software, firmware, and/or wireless communication capabilities. For example, such implantable devices can utilize wireless technology to allow for efficient configuration, maintenance, and operational analysis. As these implantable devices become more connected, electronic security will become more important. This disclosure relates to implantable devices that may utilize a secure boot process and secure communication, both between artificial devices in the human body and between these devices and the external world. This disclosure provides secure communication approaches for maintaining the digital privacy and integrity of artificial devices, for protecting the individual from malicious hacking of data, and for controlling of such implantable devices.

Ossicular prostheses, and methods for producing such, are disclosed for treatment of middle ear damage caused by a malady of the middle ear such as cholesteatoma. The ossicular prostheses comprises a strut component attached to a disc via a rigid or flexible connecting joint. The strut is attachable to a head or footplate of a subject's stapes. The disc is attachable to the subject's existing tympanic membrane, or, alternatively, to an artificial tympanic membrane graft. In some embodiments, a scaffold is used to support the ossicular prosthesis and the tympanic membrane graft.

Disclosed are a biological tissue matrix material, a preparation method therefor and the use thereof in an otological repair material. The biological tissue matrix material comprises an extracellular matrix. The extracellular matrix comprises a collagen fiber, a growth factor and fibronectin. The biological tissue matrix material has a low amount of DNA residue, a low immunogenicity, a high anti-infection ability, and a strong repair capability.

A middle ear implant includes a first interface portion configured to interface with a first structure of a middle ear of a patient, a second interface portion configured to interface with a second structure of the middle ear of the patient, a shaft that connects the first and second interface portions, a carrier plate removably mounted in one of the first or second interface portions, and a removable sensor disposed at one end of the shaft, between the shaft and one of the first interface portion or the second interface portion. The removable sensor is configured to provide a DC signal output indicative of static pressure on the sensor based on placement of the sensor between the first and second structures, and provide an AC signal output indicative of a frequency response of the implant. The removable sensor is disposed at a portion of the carrier plate.

This disclosure features elongated prosthetic devices that can be used to repair, e.g., resurface or occlude, a defect of a semicircular canal, e.g., a superior semicircular canal dehiscence, as well as methods of making and using these devices. For example, the devices can be made using three-dimensional (3D) printing.

This disclosure relates to systems and methods for performing ossicular reconstructions. An exemplary ossicular reconstruction system may include one or more adjustable prosthetic devices and micro-measuring devices. The adjustable prosthetic devices may be adjusted in terms of length, angulation, or both.

An improved implantable auditory stimulation system includes two or more implanted microphones for transcutaneous detection of acoustic signals. Each of the implanted microphones provides an output signal. The microphone output signals may be combinatively utilized by an implanted processor to generate a signal for driving an implanted auditory stimulation device. The implanted microphones may be located at offset subcutaneous locations and/or may be provided with different design sensitivities, wherein combinative processing of the microphone output signals may yield an improved drive signal. In one embodiment, the microphone signal may be processed for beamforming and/or directionality purposes.

Ear implants for auricular tissue reconstruction in a patient are provided. The ear implant may be a tissue scaffold multicomponent assembly for reconstruction of auricular tissue. Thus, the assembly may include both a first and a second tissue scaffold component. Each comprises a biocompatible polymeric material having a plurality of open pores configured to support cell growth. The first tissue scaffold component defines a central void region and at least a portion of an outer ear framework of the patient after implantation. The second tissue scaffold component defines a base portion. After implantation into the patient, the second tissue scaffold component seats within the central void region of the first tissue scaffold component, so that the second tissue scaffold component is secured to the first tissue scaffold component. Methods for reconstructing auricular tissue in a patient using such ear implant tissue scaffolds are also provided.