A dilation catheter includes a shaft, a distal tip sized and configured to pass through an isthmus of a Eustachian tube (ET), and an expandable element moveable along an exterior of the shaft between a proximal position and a distal position. The expandable element is operable to transition between an unexpanded state in which the expandable element is configured for insertion into the ET via the isthmus, and an expanded state in which the expandable element is configured to dilate the ET.

A device is described for delivering a therapeutic vibration to a body. The device may include at least two motors in a housing with unbalanced masses coupled to their axles, such that vibration of the masses causes the two motors and housing to vibrate at a beat frequency 80. The motors and housing may be coupled to the body via a platform which places the motors and housings at or near a resonant structure in the body, creating a coupled oscillation between the platform and the body. The vibration may be based on the input signal, such that the system applies the vibration based on the input signal to the user, wherein the signal may be an audio or video signal. The system may be configured to measure and manipulate the flow of cerebral spinal fluid.

Provided is an otitis media treatment instrument and, more particularly, to an otitis media treatment instrument having a ventilation tube installed thereon, the otitis media treatment instrument including: a cutting sheath which is configured in a tube shape, and which has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the ventilation tube; and a suction pipe formed to be able to move relative to the cutting sheath inside the cutting sheath along the longitudinal direction of the cutting sheath, the suction pipe having, on the front end portion thereof, an insertion portion having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the ventilation tube and having a fixing portion which extends toward the front end of the insertion portion, and which has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the ventilation tube.

A therapeutic device (1) has a stem (3) having a distal end (60) configured for insertion in a patient's ear canal with latching by suction to the tympanic membrane so that there is no relative movement despite patient head movement. A needle (63) punctures the membrane after suction is applied by negative pressure via a lumen (66). The needle tip is located within a suction cup which grips the membrane. A hand-held control device (2) is coupled to the stem and has a user-actuated controller (8) for controlling application of negative pressure (7) to the suction lumen.

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 invention provides liquid formulation compositions and medicament delivery devices, and methods for preparing and using the same. For example, the liquid formulation composition is an emulsion including a solvent and liquid particles, which includes surfactants and are dispersed in the solvent. The volume average particle size of the liquid particles is less than about 100 μm; the surface tension of the liquid formulation composition is less than about 60 mN/m; and the absolute value of zeta potential is greater than about 15 mV. The containment vessel may be a sprayer or a dropping device. The invention also provides methods for preparation of the liquid formulation compositions and medicament delivery devices as well as methods for using the same in treatment of various diseases and condition, for example, otitis media, otitis externa, rhinitis, sinusitis, lower respiratory tract inflammation, xerostomia (dry mouth), xerophthalmia (dry eyes) and xeromycteria (dry nose).

Provided is an otitis media treatment instrument and, more particularly, to an otitis media treatment instrument having a ventilation tube installed thereon, the otitis media treatment instrument including: a cutting sheath which is configured in a tube shape, and which has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the ventilation tube; and a suction pipe formed to be able to move relative to the cutting sheath inside the cutting sheath along the longitudinal direction of the cutting sheath, the suction pipe having, on the front end portion thereof, an insertion portion having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the ventilation tube and having a fixing portion which extends toward the front end of the insertion portion, and which has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the ventilation tube.

Fluid injection device for injecting a fluid behind a tympanic membrane of a patient, comprising: a hollow needle having a needle tip with a fluid outlet at a distal end thereof, the needle tip being configured for piercing the tympanic membrane of the patient; a container for storing the fluid to be injected behind the tympanic membrane, the container being arranged in fluid communication with the hollow needle; characterised, in that the hollow needle comprises an elongated venting aperture in an outer wall thereof, the elongated venting aperture being positionable at an inner side of an ear membrane of the patient as well as at an outer ide of said ear membrane when injecting fluid, so as to allow excess fluid on the inner side of said membrane to flow through the elongated venting aperture, to the outer side of said membrane.

Described here are systems and methods for delivering an active agent to target tissues of the ear, nose, or throat using an expandable member having drug crystals layered thereon, and methods for manufacturing such systems. The expandable member can be delivered to the target tissues in a low-profile configuration and expanded to contact and/or dilate surrounding tissue. Expansion of the expandable member transfers the drug crystals to the target tissues, which then act as an in situ depot that enables maintenance of a therapeutic level of an active agent for a desired time period after removal of the expandable member. Multiple expansions of a single expandable member can be employed during treatment. For example, the systems and methods can be useful when it is desired to treat multiple paranasal sinuses with a single expandable member.

The present disclosure provides a device (30) for delivering a substance to the inner ear. The device (30) comprises a pressure oscillator (32) configured to generate pressurised air at a predetermined oscillation frequency, an aural probe (31) comprising an air passageway extending from a first end of the aural probe (31) to a second end of the aural probe (31), the first end being the end to be inserted into the ear canal, a tube (33) arranged to couple the second end of the aural probe (31) to the pressure oscillator (32), and a pressure relief valve (34) disposed at the tube (33) and/or the aural probe (31) configured to release a portion or the generated pressurised air from within the tube (33) and/or the aural probe (31) when a pressure within the tube (33) and/or the aural probe (31) reaches a predetermined maximum pressure. The present disclosure further provides a method for delivering a substance to the inner ear, the method comprising the steps of: (i) administering the substance to the middle ear; and (ii) generating oscillating air pressure within the ear canal.