US5047053A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Permanent middle ear vent tube and method of insertion
Assignee: Gyrus ACMI Inc
•
Filing: 1990-02-27
•
Granted: 1991-09-10
•
Expires: 2010-02-27
Abstract
Abstract A permanent middle ear vent tube (20) and method for permanent ventilation of the middle ear include implanting a tube with a tubular base portion (22) having at one end an eccentric flange (26) and formed of a non-compressible material. The tube is implanted in a notch drilled into the bony canal wall and rotating the tube into place. <IMAGE>
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony F. Jahn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:53
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F11/00; A61F11/20; A61F11/202
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A permanent ear ventilation tube adapted to provide ventilation between the middle ear and the outer ear, comprising: an elongated base portion and a flange formed of a non-compressible and biocompatible material; said elongated base portion terminating at opposite ends and having a longitudinal opening extending therebetween; said flange eccentrically connected at one end of said elongated base portion wherein the ventilation tube, in its implanted position, has the flange resting on the surface defining the middle ear cavity and the elongated base portion extending into the outer ear cavity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A permanent ear ventilation tube adapted to provide ventilation between the middle ear and the outer ear, comprising: an elongated base portion and a flange formed of a non-compressible and biocompatible material; said elongated base portion terminating at opposite ends and having a longitudinal opening extending therebetween; said flange eccentrically connected at one end of said elongated base portion wherein the ventilation tube, in its implanted position, has the flange resting on the surface defining the middle ear cavity and the elongated base portion extending into the outer ear cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The tube of claim 1 wherein the base portion is tubular in shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tube of claim 1, wherein the flange is circular in shape and oriented perpendicular to the base portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The tube of claim 1, wherein the end of the base portion opposite the flange is formed with a bevel facing away from the side of the base member from which the flange projects.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The tube of claim 4, wherein the bevel is greater than 20°.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The tube of claim 5, wherein the bevel is about 45°.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The tube of claim 1, wherein at least the outer surface of the base member and flange are formed with pores to accommodate tissue ingrowth.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The tube of claim 1, wherein at least the outer surface of the base member and flange are formed to encourage tissue adherence.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The tube of claim 8, wherein base member and flange are formed of dense hydroxylapetite.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tube of claim 8, wherein the base member and flange are formed of titanium with the outer surface chemically treated to form a surface which encourages tissue adherence.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
122 words
A method of implanting permanent ear ventilation tube, comprising the steps of: forming a notch under the fibrous ring of the tympanic membrane portion of an ear at the interface of the fibrous and the bony canal wall; inserting a ventilation tube formed of an elongated base, portion with a longitudinal opening and a flange eccentrically connected to one end of the base portion and projecting outwardly from one side of the base portion, the longitudinal opening extending through the flange and the base portion and flange being formed of a non-compressible, biocompatible material; inserting the flange of said tube into the middle ear cavity and rotating the tube so that the flange will face the surface defining the middle ear cavity.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
122 words
A method of implanting permanent ear ventilation tube, comprising the steps of: forming a notch under the fibrous ring of the tympanic membrane portion of an ear at the interface of the fibrous and the bony canal wall; inserting a ventilation tube formed of an elongated base, portion with a longitudinal opening and a flange eccentrically connected to one end of the base portion and projecting outwardly from one side of the base portion, the longitudinal opening extending through the flange and the base portion and flange being formed of a non-compressible, biocompatible material; inserting the flange of said tube into the middle ear cavity and rotating the tube so that the flange will face the surface defining the middle ear cavity.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the distal end of the tube is formed with a beveled surface on the end of the tube opposite the flange, the beveled surface facing away from the surface defining the outer ear cavity after the step of rotating.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3982545A
Cited
US4094303A
Cited
GB2041759A
Cited
US4744792A
Cited
US4676796A
Cited
FR2627079A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-09-09 | 1995-03-11 | 1995-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-09-09 | 1999-03-11 | 1999-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-09-09 | 2003-03-11 | 2003-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |