Systems and methods can be employed for trans-tympanic membrane access to the middle ear for delivery of a therapeutic agent, for example, to the round window niche adjacent to the cochlea under direct visualization. The systems and methods can also be used to improve accessibility and visualization for various otological surgical procedures, such as, but not limited to, cholesteatoma removal, tympanic membrane repair and ossicular chain repair.

An ear stent can be inserted into a collapsing ear canal to improve conductive hearing. The ear stent can be configured for insertion into an ear canal of a user. The ear stent can have a longitudinal axis. The ear stent can comprise an insertional portion that extends along the longitudinal axis between an insertional end and an outer end. The insertional portion can be configured to be inserted into the ear canal. The insertional portion can define a channel therethrough from the insertional end to the outer end. A flange portion can extend outwardly from the insertional portion at the outer end of the insertional portion.

Compositions and methods are provided for the generation or treatment of chronic tympanic membrane perforation by modulation of HB-EGF activity.

Implants with fillable reservoirs have been developed that are suitable for rhinoplasty, breast reconstruction, ear reconstruction, and replacement, reconstruction or repair of other soft tissues. The implants can be filled with graft material prior to implantation. The implants are preferably made from resorbable polymers, can be tailored to provide different geometries, mechanical properties and resorption rates in order to provide more consistent surgical outcomes. The implants preferably have an interconnected network of unit cells with microporous outer layers and optionally some or all of the unit cells having at least one macropore in their outer layers. The implants can be loaded by injection with microfat, collagen, DCF, cells, bioactive agents, and other augmentation materials, prior to implantation.

A tympanoplatic patch applicator comprising: a handle disposed with a deployment control; a deployment stem comprising multiple nested sleeves connected to the handle; a patch configured to be affixed to the distal end of the deployment stem via an actuation filament embedded in the deployment stem; and a filament-based deployment system controllable by the deployment control, wherein the deployment stem is configured to position the patch at the internal side of a perforated tympanic membrane in the middle ear by introducing the patch into the ear canal and penetrating the perforated tympanic membrane with the distal end of the deployment stem, and wherein the filament-based deployment system is configured to release the patch from the distal end of the deployment stem, thereby deploying the patch on the internal side of the perforated tympanic membrane.

Medical devices for repairing perforations in tissue, such as the tissue forming the tympanic membrane, methods of manufacturing medical devices, and methods of implanting a medical device are described. An example method of manufacturing a medical device includes obtaining a first piece of material, obtaining a second piece of material, obtaining a divider defining an passageway that extends through the divider, positioning the divider between the first piece of material and the second piece of material such that the divider contacts the first piece of material and the second piece of material, attaching a portion of the first piece of material to a portion of the second piece of material within the passageway defined by the divider, and removing the divider from between the first piece of material and the second piece of material.

A method and device for ensuring better placement of an implant, such as an implant that is affixed via bone bed drilling to a recipient's skull. In particular, the technology comprises an apparatus and method of deploying the same that can lead to an improved goodness of fit of the implant. The apparatus and process of the present disclosure are particularly applicable to affixing auditory prostheses such as cochlear implants. The implant is provided with a template that has the same dimensions as the implant that is to be affixed. This template has a dye-impregnated material on its distal surface that is used during bone bed drilling to identify bony spots that have to be drilled away to get a flat surface and a better alignment of the implant with the bone bed. The template may also be provided in kit form.

Aspects of the present invention are generally directed to impedance spectroscopy in an active implantable medical device (AIMD) comprising a component with one or more electrodes. In an embodiment, the AIMD applies a signal at a plurality of frequencies using one or more of the electrodes. Measurements are then obtained for the applied signal to determine impedance(s) at the applied frequencies of the tissue in which the electrodes are located.

The present invention provides a surgical introducer for inserting an implant into a human ear, the introducer comprising a handle, a slider movable relative to the handle between a first position and a second position, a retaining means being at least partially defined by the slider, and a releasable locking mechanism biased to lock the slider in said first or second position, wherein, when the slider is in said first position an implant is engaged by the retaining means and when the slider is moved towards said second position the implant is deployed.

Provided is a stent for deployment in the Eustachian tube and other body passageways that supports the walls and assists in the natural opening of passage without hindering the natural closing operation.