Certain embodiments described herein provide a method of performing an otological surgical procedure including surgically accessing a middle ear, injecting a perfluorocarbon liquid into the middle ear, and suctioning the isolated blood from the middle ear without removing the perfluorocarbon liquid. The perfluorocarbon liquid is immiscible with blood for isolating blood in the middle ear from the perfluorocarbon liquid. In certain embodiments, the perfluorocarbon liquid has a specific gravity greater than blood to apply positive pressure to surrounding tissues. In certain embodiments, the method includes suctioning the perfluorocarbon liquid from the middle ear after the isolated blood is removed.

A system for delivering a fluid to a Eustachian tube (ET) of a patient includes a guide member and a tubular member. The guide member includes a shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a bend at the distal portion. The bend is configured to provide access to an opening in the ET. The system further includes a tubular member comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. The tubular member is sized to fit within the ET. One or both of the tubular member and the guide member comprises a first stop member configured to engage the other of the tubular member or the guide member. The first stop member is configured to restrict a distal advancement of the tubular member relative to the guide member.

A system for delivering a fluid to a Eustachian tube (ET) of a patient includes a guide member and a tubular member. The guide member includes a shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a bend at the distal portion. The bend is configured to provide access to an opening in the ET. The system further includes a tubular member comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. The tubular member is sized to fit within the ET. One or both of the tubular member and the guide member comprises a first stop member configured to engage the other of the tubular member or the guide member. The first stop member is configured to restrict a distal advancement of the tubular member relative to the guide member.

An implant that may maintain position with a Eustachian tube of a patient, the implant includes an engagement body, an anchoring assembly, and a pressure balance assembly. The engagement body includes an exterior surface dimensioned to bear radially outward against the Eustachian tube. The anchoring assembly may lock the implant in the Eustachian tube. The pressure balance assembly includes a vented pathway that may transition between an occluded state and a vented state. The vented pathway may provide fluid communication between the proximal end and the distal end of the implant in the ventilated state while inhibiting fluid communication between the proximal end and the distal end of the implant in the occluded state.

A method that may include the steps of positioning a contact assembly, including a plurality of electrically conductive contacts that are respectively connected to a plurality of lead wires, on a shell formed from a first resilient material to form an electrode array sub-assembly, positioning the electrode array subassembly in a cochlear implant electrode array mold, and introducing a second resilient material into the mold to form a cochlear implant electrode array flexible body, on which the contacts are located, that is defined by the first and second flexible materials.

A tympanostomy tube placement device has a stem with a needle having a tip configured to pierce a tympanic membrane. A retainer is on the needle and includes four fingers extending axially at a distance from said axis and at 90° circumferential separations in one example. The retainer is movable from a distal position at which it presses radially inwardly against the tube distal flange tabs to retain the distal flange in a folded position, to a proximal position at which the tube distal flange is free to spring out radially to a deployed position. The retainer fingers extend through tube proximal flange passageways and press the tube distal flange inwardly, while leaving a distally-facing face of the proximal flange exposed radially outwardly of the retainer. Hence, the proximal flange has its final deployed configuration throughout, and so can act as a physical stop member against the tympanic membrane and also provides visualisation for the surgeon because it extends radially outwardly of the stem.

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 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.

The present invention relates to a device for repair of a region within an ear via a natural orifice, the device comprising a body. The body comprises a first port for visibly identifying the region to be sealed, the region being inside the ear; and a second port through which a seal can be introduced into the ear through the device. The region comprises a perforation of a tympanic membrane of the ear and the device is a speculum. The present invention also relates to method for repairing a perforation in a tympanic membrane using the same device.

The present invention relates to a device for repair of a region within an ear via a natural orifice, the device comprising a body. The body comprises a first port for visibly identifying the region to be sealed, the region being inside the ear; and a second port through which a seal can be introduced into the ear through the device. The region comprises a perforation of a tympanic membrane of the ear and the device is a speculum. The present invention also relates to method for repairing a perforation in a tympanic membrane using the same device.