Ear visualization and treatment system
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11202557-B2
Publication Date
2021-12-21
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
An ear visualization and suction device facilitates a surgical procedure in a middle ear of a patient. The device includes a handle and a rigid visualization shaft having a camera and light source, and a rigid suction shaft for applying suction in the middle ear. The method holds the handle with one hand and advances the distal end of the visualization shaft and the distal end of the suction shaft through an opening in the tympanic membrane into the middle ear.
The suction shaft passes through a first suction shaft guide tube located external, to the side of, and parallel with the visualization shaft. The surgeon views an anatomical structure in the middle ear with the camera in the rigid visualization shaft and applies suction via the distal end of the rigid suction shaft. The suction shaft is advanced through the first suction shaft guide tube to position the distal end of the suction shaft beyond the distal end of the visualization shaft while continuing to view and apply suction during the surgical procedure.
The disclosed configuration enables one-hand operation of the ear visualization and suction device and includes finger-controlled control features. In particular embodiments, a spring automatically retracts the suction shaft upon release, and a thumb depress member controls advancement of the suction shaft. Additional embodiments include guide tube positioning and directional adjustment, including switching between first suction shaft guide tubes and second suction shaft guide tubes on an opposite side and rotational or directional adjustment of the camera and suction shaft.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim is clm-00001. It covers one independent method for facilitating a middle-ear surgical procedure using an ear visualization and suction device that includes rigid visualization and suction shafts and a side-parallel suction guide tube.
One-hand handling with rigid visualization and suction shafts through a tympanic membrane opening
Holding a handle of an ear visualization and suction device with one hand, and advancing a distal end of a rigid visualization shaft and a distal end of a rigid suction shaft through an opening in a tympanic membrane and into the middle ear.
Side-parallel suction guide tube positioning of the suction shaft beyond the visualization shaft
Advancing the rigid suction shaft such that it passes through a first suction shaft guide tube located external, to the side of, and parallel with the visualization shaft, and advancing the rigid suction shaft through the first suction shaft guide tube to position the distal end of the rigid suction shaft beyond the distal end of the rigid visualization shaft.
Continue viewing and applying suction during performing and removing the device
Viewing an anatomical structure in the middle ear with a camera in the rigid visualization shaft, applying suction in the middle ear via the distal end of the rigid suction shaft, performing the surgical procedure in the middle ear while continuing to view and apply suction, and removing the ear visualization and suction device from the middle ear.
Across the independent method, the core claim coverage is centered on one-hand advancement and use of rigid visualization and suction shafts through a tympanic membrane opening, with suction shaft positioning via a side-parallel suction guide tube so the suction tip extends beyond the visualization tip while continuing to view and apply suction during the middle-ear surgical procedure.
Stated Advantages
Facilitates a surgical procedure in a middle ear of a patient.
Documented Applications
Facilitating a surgical procedure in a middle ear of a patient using an ear visualization and suction device.
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