Ear visualization and treatment system
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10492670-B1
Publication Date
2019-12-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
A device for visualizing and providing suction for a surgical procedure in an ear may include a handle, a main shaft extending from the handle, an imaging sensor at a distal end of the main shaft, a light source at the distal end of the main shaft, and a suction shaft extending from the handle. The device may also include a spring coupled with the suction shaft and/or the handle, such that when the suction shaft is advanced in a distal direction and then released, the suction shaft retracts automatically. The suction shaft may have a distal curved portion, and the device may have a thumb depress portion that allows a user to spin the suction shaft to suction in different directions. Some embodiments may include a suction shaft with a sharp distal tip that is configured for placing an ear tube in the tympanic membrane.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a device for visualizing and providing suction for a surgical procedure in an ear. The device includes a handle with a handle suction port, and a main shaft extending from the handle and defining a longitudinal axis. An imaging sensor and a light source are positioned at a distal end of the main shaft so that the ear can be visualized while suction is provided.
A suction shaft extends from the handle parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main shaft and includes a straight proximal portion and a distal curved portion. The suction shaft is coupled with the handle so that it can spin with respect to the handle, causing the distal curved portion to point in different directions. The suction shaft includes a suction shaft suction port coupled with the suction shaft, and a suction tube connects the handle suction port with the suction shaft suction port to provide suction while imaging is performed.
The device further includes a depress member coupled with a proximal end of the suction shaft for advancing and spinning the suction shaft. A spring is coupled with at least one of the suction shaft or the handle so that, when the suction shaft is advanced in a distal direction and then released, the suction shaft retracts automatically. The described configuration supports compact one-hand manipulation while controlling the suction shaft direction via spinning and providing automatic retraction.
Claims Coverage
The relevant independent claim is clm-00001. It covers a compact ear visualization and suction device with four inventive features.
Parallel suction shaft with handle-coupled spinning distal curved portion
A suction shaft extending from the handle parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main shaft, having a straight proximal portion and a distal curved portion, wherein the suction shaft is coupled with the handle so that it can spin with respect to the handle and thus cause the distal curved portion to point in different directions
Distal imaging sensor and light source on main shaft
An imaging sensor at a distal end of the main shaft and a light source at the distal end of the main shaft
Depress-member advancement with suction-tube fluid coupling
A depress member coupled with a proximal end of the suction shaft for advancing and spinning the suction shaft, and a suction tube connecting the handle suction port with the suction shaft suction port
Automatic spring retraction of the suction shaft upon release
A spring coupled with at least one of the suction shaft or the handle, such that when the suction shaft is advanced in a distal direction and then released, the suction shaft retracts automatically
Across the independent claim, the core inventive coverage is the integration of ear visualization with a parallel suction shaft that can spin to direct a distal curved suction portion, where suction is delivered through connected suction ports and tube and the suction shaft retracts automatically via a spring after release.
Stated Advantages
Ergonomic advantages over prior art endoscopes.
Documented Applications
Surgical procedure in an ear (visualizing and providing suction for the surgical procedure in an ear).
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