Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for tympanic membrane shrinkage

US5591157A · kind A · utility

131Cited by
10References
42Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 7, 1994
Grant dateJan 7, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 7, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2034/742
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The tympanic membrane can be tightened by directing energy on spots of the tympanic membrane so as to heat up the collagen matrix layer and cause it to shrink. Energy in the frequency range of 1.4 to 2.6 microns, which roughly corresponds to a collagen absorption range of from 10 to 150 cm.sup.-1, is used.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.