The present invention relates to methods for treating a microbial infection comprising administering a composition comprising one or more antibiotic compounds to the site of the infection by instilling the composition into the tympanostomy tube. A delivery cannula can be used to instill the composition into the tympanostomy tube.

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.

There is provided a device for eustachian tube treatments having a handle section with proximal and distal ends where the handle section has a dilator control with at least first and second positions. The dilator control is connected to a plate internal to the handle section, which is connected to an internal shaft. An insertion tube is connected to the plate and extends from the distal end of the handle section. A protective sleeve is inside of the insertion tube and connected to the plate. A dilator is connected at a first end to the plate and collapsed within the protective sleeve, with the dilator expanding when moved to a position external to the distal end of the insertion tube and the protective sleeve is withdrawn back into the insertion tube. The dilator maintains the eustachian tube open for delivery of laser energy or therapeutics to a desired treatment area.

A method includes inserting into a patient body a medical suction tool, which includes a hollow first tube for removing material away from a Eustachian tube of a patient, and a hollow second tube disposed around the first tube. The medical suction tool is navigated to the Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tube is sealed by coupling an outer surface of the second tube to an inner surface of the Eustachian tube. While the Eustachian tube is sealed by the second tube, the material is removed away from the Eustachian tube via the first tube.

Systems and methods for opening the eustachian tubes of a subject are provided. Aspects of the systems include: a swallow inducer; a nasal passage seal; a pressure source configured to apply positive pressure to a sealed nasal passage; a sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a swallow resultant palate closure; and a controller operably coupled to the pressure source and the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to cause the pressure source to apply positive pressure to a sealed nasal passage upon detection by the sensor of the parameter indicative of a swallow resultant palate closure. Also provide are methods of using the systems to open eustachian tubes. The systems and methods find use in a variety of different applications, e.g., the treatment of a subject for Otitis Media with Effusion (OME).

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 apparatus and method of manufacture includes a helical wire coil and a core wire. The core wire has a first wire portion and a second wire portion. The first wire portion of the core wire extends through the helical wire coil. The second wire portion of the core wire is intertwined with the first helical wire coil to fixedly secure the core wire relative to the first helical wire coil. The core wire is formed from a first material that is non-extensible. The core wire is fixedly secured relative to a distal portion of the helical wire coil such that the core wire inhibits longitudinal elongation of the helical wire coil along a longitudinal coil axis.

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.

An apparatus includes a shaft, an expandable dilation member, and a bulbous tip. The shaft has a first outer cross-sectional dimension. The dilation member is positioned proximal to the distal end of the shaft. The dilation member is operable to transition between a non-expanded configuration and an expanded configuration. The dilation member is sized to pass through a passageway associated with drainage of a paranasal sinus or a Eustachian tube when the dilation member is in the non-expanded configuration. The bulbous tip is positioned at the distal end of the shaft. The bulbous tip is distal to the dilation member. The bulbous tip has a second outer cross-sectional dimension. The second outer cross-sectional dimension is larger than the first outer cross-sectional dimension. The bulbous tip is removably secured to the distal end of the shaft.

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.