Patent · US Active

Features to improve and sense tympanic membrane apposition by tympanostomy tube delivery instrument

US9320652B2 · kind B2 · utility

22Cited by

8References

10Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Tusker Medical, Inc. · US

Inventors

Bernard Andreas · Redwood City, US
Rohit Girotra · San Francisco, US
Jeffrey A. Walker · Livermore, US
T. Daniel Gross · Los Gatos, US
Matthew D. Clopp · Santa Clara, US
Mahyar Z. Kermani · Pleasanton, US
Scott J. Baron · Menlo Park, US

Key dates

Filing date	Mar 14, 2013
Grant date	Apr 26, 2016
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Sep 17, 2033

Classification

Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
CPC primaryA61F11/202
WIPO fieldMedical technology
WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A tympanostomy tube delivery device comprises a shaft assembly, a pressure equalization tube, and a sensor. The shaft assembly comprises a cannula and a pusher operable to translate relative to the cannula. The pressure equalization tube is positioned within the shaft assembly. The pusher is operable to drive the pressure equalization tube out of the shaft assembly. The sensor is operable to detect a physical parameter associated with engagement between the distal end of the shaft assembly and a tympanic membrane. A controller may activate a feedback device to inform an operator that the distal end of the shaft assembly has achieved suitable apposition with the tympanic membrane, based on information from the sensor.

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