Systems and methods can be employed for trans-tympanic membrane access to the middle ear for delivery of a formulation or implant device to a target location 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.

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.

Systems and methods can be employed for facilitating access and procedures in the outer, middle, and inner ear in order to diagnose or treat ear disorders including, but not limited to hearing loss and excessive ear wax. In some examples, the systems and methods include instruments and techniques that facilitate trans-tympanic membrane or trans-fibrous ring access to the middle ear. The systems and methods can also be used to improve accessibility for various otological surgical procedures, such as, but not limited to, cholesteatoma removal, tympanic membrane repair and ossicular chain repair.

Devices, systems, and methods can be employed to facilitate performing procedures in the outer, middle, and/or inner ear in order to diagnose and/or treat disorders including, but not limited to, hearing loss and other ear disorders. For example, this document describes devices, systems and methods that include instruments and techniques to minimize the invasiveness and/or to enhance the efficacy of procedures that are performed in the outer, middle, and/or inner ear spaces such as mastoidectomy, tympanoplasty, cholesteatoma treatments, otosclerosis treatments, and Eustachian tube treatments.

An apparatus includes a handle assembly, a guide tube, and a dilation catheter. The guide tube extends distally from the handle assembly. At least a distal portion of the guide tube is malleable. The dilation catheter is slidably positioned in the guide tube. The dilation catheter includes a distal end, a dilator, and a position sensor. The position sensor is configured to generate a signal indicating a position of the position sensor in three-dimensional space. The dilation catheter is configured to translate relative to the guide tube.

An apparatus includes a handle assembly, a guide tube, and a dilation catheter. The guide tube extends distally from the handle assembly. At least a distal portion of the guide tube is malleable. The dilation catheter is slidably positioned in the guide tube. The dilation catheter includes a distal end, a dilator, and a position sensor. The position sensor is configured to generate a signal indicating a position of the position sensor in three-dimensional space. The dilation catheter is configured to translate relative to the guide tube.

Intra-tympanic injections of therapeutics into the inner ear can be used to treat conditions such as hearing loss. One or more stabilizing devices that define working channels can be temporarily implanted in the tympanic membrane. Purpose-built instruments such as endoscopes, forceps, and injections instruments can be passed through the working channels of the stabilizer devices to access the inner ear where the therapy can be administered. Afterwards, the stabilizing devices can be removed from the tympanic membrane and the tympanic membrane can heal, typically without the need for sutures.

A medical implant, such as an implantable component (22) of a tissue-stimulating prosthesis. One example of such a prosthesis being a cochlear implant. The component (22) is adapted to be implanted at or adjacent a tissue surface within the recipient, such as a bone surface. The component (22) has a housing and at least one flange (42) extending outwardly therefrom. The flange (42) can be secured to the tissue surface via a tissue fixation device, such as a bone screw (43).

Systems and methods are provided for anesthetizing a tympanic membrane of an ear. The systems are personalizable to ensure proper anesthetizing solution administration. The systems and methods may also be useful for administering a solution to the ear canal of a human patient and for maintaining the solution therein.

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.