Rotary trimmer

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to instruments for neurootological surgery, and more particularly to instruments for cutting ear canal hair with combined cutting, illumination and vacuum functions. In some embodiments, these instruments may further facilitate visualization of the ear canal during shearing of ear canal hair.

Description

Background Art

[0001] Anatomically, the human ear is divided into three distinct regions: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. The outer and middle ears are separated by the eardrum (tympanic membrane). The outer ear consists of the auricle (pinna) and the external auditory canal (ear meatus). The middle ear (also known as the tympanic cavity) contains the auditory ossicles and the Eustachian tube. Meanwhile, the inner ear includes the cochlea, vestibule, and semicircular canals.

[0002] An ear speculum is typically used to help visualize and examine the ear canal and eardrum, which may be done before performing a neuro-otological surgical procedure. An ear speculum is typically used in conjunction with an otoscope or other ear viewing device. One reason for using an ear speculum when examining the ear is to help provide a clear and direct view of the eardrum, which can often be obstructed by hair (and other objects) in the ear canal.

[0003] Transcanal endoscopic ear surgery (TEES) is a neuro-otologic procedure performed in the middle ear portion of the human ear. This procedure is minimally invasive and differs from traditional ear surgery because the surgeon enters the middle ear through the ear canal rather than through an incision behind the ear. TEES surgery can be used to treat conditions such as acoustic neuroma, cholesteatoma, cholesterol granuloma, congenital or acquired fixation of the ossicular chain, congenital or acquired rupture of the ossicular chain, paraganglioma, ruptured eardrum, tympanosclerosis, and other otolaryngology conditions.

[0004] During a TEES procedure, an endoscope is inserted through the ear canal to gain access to the middle ear. While the endoscope is used to visualize the surgical area in the middle ear, the surgeon uses microsurgical instruments to perform the procedure. One of the risks associated with TEES is the risk of ear canal hair becoming dislodged or inadvertently cut during the procedure and entering the middle ear. Since hair in the ear canal serves to block dirt and debris from the eardrum, such hair entering the middle ear could potentially cause infection and / or inflammation.

[0005] Due to the size of a conventional endoscope and the size of the average ear canal, it is not feasible to use an ear speculum in conjunction with an endoscope and any associated surgical instruments to secure the hair in the ear canal. Furthermore, the addition of a speculum would result in the simultaneous use of at least three or more instruments (e.g., an endoscope, a speculum, and microsurgical instruments) at one or more points during the TEES procedure, while the surgeon only has two hands to perform the procedure.

[0006] To minimize the risks associated with TEES surgery, a preoperative procedure is often performed to cut and remove the hair in the ear canal. Traditionally, cutting and removing ear canal hair is performed manually using scissors, which can be time-consuming and laborious. Furthermore, manual removal of the trimmed hair may not always be thorough, increasing the likelihood that the trimmed hair may be missed and accidentally pushed into the middle ear during surgery. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present disclosure relates generally to instruments for neuro-otological surgery and, more particularly, to instruments for cutting ear canal hair and having combined trimming, illumination, and vacuuming capabilities.

[0008] In certain embodiments, a rotary trimmer is provided. The rotary trimmer includes a base unit configured to be gripped by a user. The base unit has an opening at a distal end and a cover coupled to the opening. The cover has a plurality of slits formed near the distal end of the cover. The rotary trimmer includes a cutting assembly disposed within the base unit. The cutting assembly includes a blade at least partially disposed within the cover; a rotor coupled to the blade; and a driver configured to rotate the rotor, wherein rotating the rotor causes the blade to rotate. The rotary trimmer also includes one or more optical fibers disposed within the base unit and a port disposed at the proximal end of the base unit. The optical fibers can be configured to visualize an external space distal to the cover. The port can be configured to be in fluid communication with a vacuum line. In certain embodiments, the vacuum line fluidly couples the port of the rotary trimmer to a vacuum source.

[0009] In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more optical fibers in the rotary trimmer is configured to project illumination light. In other embodiments, at least one of the one or more optical fibers in the rotary trimmer is optically coupled to a camera at a distal end of the at least one optical fiber.

[0010] In certain embodiments, the one or more optical fibers include one or more illumination optical fibers configured to propagate illumination light and one or more image optical fibers configured to capture the light and propagate an image to a visualization system.

[0011] In certain embodiments, at least one of the one or more optical fibers is configured as a proximity sensor to detect one or more sensitive surfaces inside the ear canal space and monitor the distance between the distal end of the cover and the one or more detected sensitive surfaces.

[0012] In some embodiments, the rotary trimmer includes a safety feedback feature for providing an audible and / or visual notification to the user when the proximity sensor detects that the distal end of the cap member is within a minimum threshold distance from the one or more sensitive surfaces inside the ear canal space. In some other embodiments, the rotary trimmer includes a safety feedback feature for disabling the cutting assembly when the proximity sensor detects that the distal end of the cap member is within a minimum threshold distance from the one or more sensitive surfaces inside the ear canal space.

[0013] In certain embodiments, the cover further includes one or more sections formed of a translucent or transparent material to facilitate light transmission therethrough.

[0014] In some embodiments, the blade of the rotary trimmer includes a cylindrical body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the cylindrical body is coupled to the rotor, and wherein the distal end of the cylindrical body includes a cutting surface formed along a circumference of an opening at the distal end of the cylindrical body. In some embodiments, the blade further includes a hollow cavity extending from the proximal end of the cylindrical body to the opening at the distal end of the cylindrical body, and wherein the one or more optical fibers are disposed concentrically within the hollow cavity relative to the cutting surface of the cylindrical body.

[0015] In some embodiments, the blade of the rotary trimmer includes a cylindrical body and one or more side blades extending laterally from an outer surface of the cylindrical body, wherein each of the one or more side blades includes a side cutting surface disposed parallel to the outer surface of the cylindrical body. In some embodiments, each of the one or more side blades further includes a distal cutting surface at a distal end of each of the one or more side blades, wherein the distal cutting surface extends perpendicular to the outer surface of the cylindrical body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to enable a detailed understanding of the above-mentioned features of the present disclosure, the present disclosure briefly summarized above may be described in more detail with reference to the embodiments, some of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be noted that the drawings illustrate only exemplary embodiments and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, and other equally effective embodiments may be admitted.

[0017] Figure 1A and Figure 1B A perspective view and a top view, respectively, are shown of an exemplary rotary trimmer according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 1C and Figure 1D Some embodiments according to the present disclosure are shown Figure 1A and Figure 1B A first side view and a second side view of a portion of a rotary trimmer depicted in FIG.

[0019] Figure 2A Some embodiments according to the present disclosure are shown Figures 1A to 1D A partial cross-sectional side view of a portion of an exemplary configuration of a rotary trimmer depicted in FIG.

[0020] Figure 2B Some embodiments according to the present disclosure are shown Figure 2A A partial cross-sectional side view of the portion of the rotary trimmer arrangement depicted during use.

[0021] Figure 2C Some embodiments according to the present disclosure are shown Figures 1A to 1D A partial cross-sectional side view of a portion of another exemplary configuration of a rotary trimmer is depicted in FIG.

[0022] Figure 2D Some embodiments according to the present disclosure are shown Figure 2C A partial cross-sectional side view of the portion of the rotary trimmer arrangement depicted during use.

[0023] Figure 3A Some embodiments according to the present disclosure are shown as follows Figure 1D The cross section lines 3A-5 are shown in Figures 1A to 1D A front view of an exemplary configuration of a rotary trimmer is depicted in FIG.

[0024] Figure 3B Some embodiments according to the present disclosure are shown as follows Figure 1D The cross section lines 3A-5 are shown in Figures 1A to 1D A front view of another exemplary configuration of a rotary trimmer is depicted in FIG.

[0025] Figure 4A Some embodiments according to the present disclosure are shown as follows Figure 1D The cross section lines 3A-5 are shown in Figures 1A to 1D A front view of an exemplary configuration of a rotary trimmer is depicted in FIG.

[0026] Figure 4B Some embodiments according to the present disclosure are shown as follows Figure 1D The cross section lines 3A-5 are shown in Figures 1A to 1D A front view of another exemplary configuration of a rotary trimmer is depicted in FIG.

[0027] Figure 5 Some embodiments according to the present disclosure are shown as follows Figure 1D The cross section lines 3A-5 are shown in Figures 1A to 1D A front view of an exemplary configuration of a rotary trimmer is depicted in FIG.

[0028] To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements and features of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments without further recitation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The present disclosure relates generally to instruments for neuro-otological surgery and, more particularly, to instruments for cutting ear canal hair and having combined cutting, illumination, and vacuuming capabilities.

[0030] In certain embodiments, a rotary trimmer includes: a base unit including a cutting assembly; a vacuum source coupled to a port at the proximal end of the base unit; and a cover member disposed at the distal end of the base unit and having a plurality of slits for allowing ear canal hair to enter so as to be cut by the cutting assembly. In certain embodiments, the base unit may further include a semi-rigid flexure near the distal end of the base unit to enable the distal end to conform to a plurality of varying diameters and angles of the ear canal. In certain embodiments, the base unit further includes one or more optical fibers. In certain embodiments, the one or more optical fibers may include an imaging fiber having a camera or other image sensor at its distal end to facilitate imaging inside the ear. In certain embodiments, the one or more optical fibers may include an illumination fiber configured to project illumination light into the patient's outer ear (e.g., ear canal).

[0031] According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, a rotary trimmer can be inserted by a user into a patient's ear canal to cut and remove hair in the ear canal leading to the eardrum. In certain embodiments, when the rotary trimmer is inserted into the ear canal, one or more optical fibers provide an otoscope (e.g., imaging) function for viewing the ear canal. In certain embodiments, one or more optical fibers can also transmit illuminating light into the ear canal to provide enhanced visualization of the ear canal during inspection and hair removal. Thus, when cutting ear canal hair, the one or more optical fibers can facilitate improved user guidance of the distal end of the rotary trimmer through the ear canal.

[0032] In some embodiments, one or more optical fibers may be part of a safety or feedback mechanism for preventing accidental contact with or damage to the eardrum. For example, in some embodiments that may be combined with other embodiments herein, one or more optical fibers may include a fiber optic proximity sensor for detecting (e.g., via light) a sensitive surface of the ear (such as the eardrum) and alerting the user when the distal end of the rotary trimmer is within a predetermined distance of the detected sensitive surface. In some embodiments, upon detecting that the distal end of the rotary trimmer is within a minimum threshold distance of the detected sensitive surface, the blades of the rotary trimmer may be automatically disabled by a controller or actuator in communication therewith. In some embodiments, the rotary trimmer may be further configured to automatically reactivate upon detecting that the distal end of the rotary trimmer has been repositioned outside the minimum threshold distance of the detected sensitive surface.

[0033] According to some embodiments, when (e.g., once) the blades of the rotary trimmer cut the hair in the ear canal, the hair is sucked away to prevent the cut and loose hair filaments from falling toward the eardrum. After the rotary blades in the rotary trimmer cut the hair, the cut hair can be sucked toward the base unit by a vacuum source coupled to the rotary trimmer.

[0034] Now go to Figure 1A , shows a perspective view of an exemplary rotary trimmer 100 according to certain embodiments described herein. As depicted, the rotary trimmer 100 includes a cover 110 removably coupled to a base unit 120. The cover 110 is disposed at a distal end 121 of the base unit 120 and includes a plurality of slits 112 disposed near the distal end 111 of the cover 110. Figure 1A In the example shown, the cover 110 is substantially dome-shaped, but other configurations are also contemplated. The interior region of the cover 110 is in fluid communication with the interior chamber of the base unit 120, such that when the cover 110 is coupled to the base unit 120, portions of components within the base unit 120 can partially extend into the interior region of the cover 110. It should be noted that, as described herein, the distal end or distal portion of a component refers to the end or portion of the component that is closer to the patient's body during use. On the other hand, the proximal end or proximal portion of a component refers to the end or portion that is farther from the patient's body.

[0035] In some embodiments, the base unit 120 includes a handpiece near the distal end having an outer surface 128 configured to be gripped by a user (e.g., a surgeon or member of a surgical team). For example, the base unit 120 may be ergonomically contoured to substantially fit and / or be gripped by a user. In some embodiments, the outer surface may be textured or have one or more gripping features formed thereon, such as one or more grooves and / or ridges. The base unit may further include a switch 133 or toggle for activating the rotary trimmer 100. The base unit 120 may be made of any material commonly used for such instruments and suitable for neuro-otology surgery. For example, the base unit 120 may be formed of a lightweight metal material (e.g., aluminum), a thermoplastic polymer material, or other suitable material. In some embodiments, the base unit 120 and / or its attached components may be sterilized and used for more than one surgical procedure. In other embodiments, the base unit 120 and / or its attached components may be disposable devices or components. In some aspects, the cover 110 comprises a disposable component that can be replaced each time the rotary trimmer 100 is used.

[0036] In some embodiments, the base unit 120 may further include one or more ports 123 (e.g., Figure 1A and Figure 1B (A port 123 is depicted in the figure) for routing one or more supply lines and / or cables into or coupled to the interior chamber of the base unit 120. For example, the port 123 can provide a connection between the base unit 120 and a vacuum line 301, which is fluidly coupled to the vacuum source 129 for aspirating loose hair cut by the rotary trimmer 100. In some embodiments, the port 123 can also provide a connection point for connecting an optical fiber to a visualization system or to a light source for providing illumination. In some embodiments, the port 123 can provide a connection point for connecting the base unit 120 to a pneumatic or electric power source for powering the rotary trimmer 100. In some embodiments, the port 123 can provide a connection point for connecting the base unit 120 to a console (such as a surgical console) that can include a pneumatic or electric power source for powering the rotary trimmer 100 and / or a controller for controlling one or more functions of the rotary trimmer 100. In further embodiments, the rotary trimmer 100 can be configured as a portable handheld device that is disconnected from any console or system. In such embodiments, the components required for trimming and extracting hair and facilitating imaging and / or lighting can be integrated into the base unit 120 to form a portable handheld device.

[0037] Figure 1B Presents some embodiments described herein. Figure 1A 1 is a top view of the rotary trimmer 100 in FIG. As shown, the base unit 120 includes a portion 126 adjacent to a proximal end 125 of the base unit 120 and configured to be gripped by a user. The base unit 120 further includes an elongated shaft 119 adjacent to a distal end 121 and to which the cap 110 is removably coupled.

[0038] The size and configuration of the shaft 119 and the cover 110 removably coupled thereto can be set to be inserted into the patient's ear canal to trim any hair in the ear canal. For example, the elongated shaft 119 and the cover 110 can together form a longitudinal length 127 that is sized to substantially match or be greater than the typical depth of the outer ear. When the shaft 119 and the cover 110 are inserted into the outer ear, the length 127 can be sufficient to extend the shaft 119 through the entire ear canal so that the cover 110 can be positioned adjacent to the patient's tympanic membrane. In certain embodiments, the size of the longitudinal length 127 of the shaft 119 and the cover 110 can be set to between about 3 cm and about 15 cm, such as between about 3 cm and about 8 cm and between about 9 cm and about 15 cm. In certain embodiments, the shaft 119 and / or the cover 110 can further have a cross-sectional dimension (e.g., a diameter) that is sized to be slightly smaller than the typical diameter of the ear canal in the outer ear. In some embodiments, the shaft 119 can have a diameter 131 between about 2 mm (millimeters) and about 6 mm, such as between about 2 mm and about 4 mm, between about 4 mm and about 5 mm, and between about 5 mm and about 6 mm. In other embodiments, the rotary trimmer 100 can have a larger or smaller length 127 and diameter 131 that is still capable of being inserted into the patient's ear canal.

[0039] In some embodiments, the elongated shaft 119 can be formed with a semi-ridged flexible configuration to enable the elongated shaft 119 to conform to the diameter and non-linear path of the ear canal in the outer ear. For example, the elongated shaft 119 can include a low-density plastic, a medium-density plastic, a polyurethane elastomer, a polyester elastomer, a polyimide, or a flexible metal material (such as Nitinol).

[0040] Figure 1C and Figure 1D 1 and 12 show side views of the distal end 121 of the base unit 120 with and without the cover 110, respectively, according to certain embodiments described herein. Figure 1C and Figure 1D As shown, the cap 110 is removably coupled to a distal end 121 of the base unit 120 and is positioned over an opening 122 of the base unit. The cap 110 may have a tapered dome-like shape between the opening 116 at the proximal end 117 of the cap 110 and the distal end 111 of the cap 110 to better enable the rotary trimmer 100 to traverse the ear canal and bring the cap 110 into contact with hair growing in the ear canal.

[0041] In some embodiments, the distal tip 111 of the cap 110 can include a blunted or rounded end surface 118 (e.g., the distal-most outer surface) to protect the surfaces of the outer ear and the eardrum from inadvertent puncture by the distal tip 111 when the rotary trimmer 100 is used inside the ear. As discussed above, the cap 110 is typically sized to guide the rotary trimmer 100 through the ear canal. Thus, the cap 110, like the shaft 119, can have a diameter 131 between about 2 mm and about 5 mm, such as between about 2 mm and about 3 mm, between about 3 mm and about 4 mm, and between about 4 mm and about 5 mm. In other embodiments, the cap 110 can have a larger or smaller diameter while still being insertable into the patient's ear canal.

[0042] The cover 110 includes a plurality of slits 112 formed near the distal end 111 to receive hair for cutting by the rotary trimmer 100 within the cover 110. Each of the plurality of slits 112 can extend substantially from near the distal end 111 to a proximal end 117 of the cover 110. In some embodiments, the plurality of slits 112 can be incrementally arranged along the entire circumference of the cover 110 to receive hair for cutting from all sides and angles of the cover 110 without having to reorient the rotary trimmer 100. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of slits 112 can include a width 114 sized between about 200 μm (micrometers) and about 500 μm, such as between about 300 μm and about 400 μm. Each of the plurality of slits 112 can also include a length 115 sized between about 1 mm and about 3 mm. In one aspect, the plurality of slits 112 can be disposed between about 1 mm and about 3 mm from the distal end 111 of the cap 110 .

[0043] like Figure 1D As shown, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the tubular cutting body 202 and a portion of the optical fiber 302 extend from the opening 122 in the base unit 120 and are partially disposed within the interior portion of the cover 110 when the cover 110 is secured over the distal end 121 of the base unit 120. The cutting body 202 is configured to rotate to cut / clip the ear canal hairs as the ear canal hairs pass through the plurality of slits 112 in the cover 110. At the same time, the optical fiber 302 may generally include an image fiber and / or an illumination fiber, respectively, in optical communication with a visualization system and / or a light source, for assisting the user in directing the rotary trimmer 100 toward the hairs in the ear canal for cutting, as described below.

[0044] In some embodiments, the optical fiber 302 can be operably coupled to a camera 304 or other image sensor of a visualization system at its proximal end and be equipped with a lens or window at its distal end 303 to enable a digital image visualization of the ear canal to be provided to the user while the rotary trimmer 100 is in use. In some embodiments, the optical fiber 302 and camera 304 (or other image sensor) can comprise a video endoscope or components of an endoscope to facilitate a live video feed of the external space in front of (e.g., distal to) the distal tip 111 (e.g., the space inside the patient's ear canal). Accordingly, in such embodiments, the optical fiber 302 and camera 304 enable the user to locate the distal end 121 of the rotary trimmer 100 and guide it toward the hair in the ear canal for cutting. After cutting the ear canal hair, the camera 304 can also be used to inspect the cleared space to ensure that no uncut or loose hair remains.

[0045] In some embodiments, the optical fiber 302 may be an illumination fiber coupled to the light source 306 and configured to relay illumination light. When using the rotary trimmer 100, the illumination light may be used to enhance the user's visualization of the ear canal. In some embodiments, the optical fiber 302 is configured to function as both an illumination fiber and an imaging fiber, wherein the illumination light relayed by the optical fiber 302 is utilized to enhance the imaging function of the optical fiber. In certain other embodiments, the optical fiber 302 is configured to function only as an illumination fiber or an imaging fiber. For example, since hair growing in the ear canal is somewhat accessible and, in some cases, visible to the naked eye, it may only be necessary to illuminate the ear canal. In other embodiments, the rotary trimmer 100 may include more than one optical fiber 302, each used for imaging, illumination, or both functions simultaneously, either through separate or identical optical fibers.

[0046] In certain embodiments where the optical fiber 302 is coupled to the camera 304, the camera 304 and the optical fiber 302 can function as components of a safety feedback mechanism for preventing inadvertent contact with and / or puncture of sensitive surfaces of the ear canal (including the surface of the eardrum). For example, the camera 304 and the optical fiber 302 can together comprise an optical proximity sensor for automatically detecting when the distal tip 111 of the cap 110 is within a minimum threshold distance of a sensitive surface in the ear canal based on images captured by the camera 304. In certain embodiments, when the distal tip 111 is within the minimum threshold distance, an audible or visual alarm notification or warning can be provided to the user, and / or the cutting assembly 200 can be automatically deactivated to prevent the rotary trimmer 100 from contacting and causing any damage to the sensitive surface. In certain embodiments, the feedback mechanism can be further configured to automatically reactivate the cutting assembly 200 once the user repositions the rotary trimmer 100 so that the distal tip 111 is no longer within the minimum threshold distance of the sensitive surface detected in the ear canal.

[0047] In certain embodiments, as Figure 1D As shown, the optical fiber 302 can be suspended within and extend through the opening 207 of the cutting body 202 such that the optical fiber 302 is concentrically disposed relative to the cutting body 202 and substantially centered within the base unit 120 of the rotary trimmer 100. Thus, when in use, the cutting body 202 can rotate or oscillate about the optical fiber 302 suspended within and extending through the opening 207 of the cutting body 202.

[0048] In some embodiments, the optical fiber 302 can be fixedly or slidably coupled within the base unit 120. For example, the optical fiber 302 can be slidably coupled relative to the base unit 120 such that the optical fiber 302 can be extended from and retracted into the base unit 120. Accordingly, a user can selectively adjust the distance between the distal end 303 of the optical fiber 302 and the distal end 111 of the cover 110. In some aspects, the adjustability of the position of the distal end 303 of the optical fiber 302 can be used to position the distal end 303 of the optical fiber 302 in contact with an inner surface of the cover 110 proximal to the distal end 111.

[0049] In embodiments having an optical fiber 302, the cover 110 can include one or more sections formed of a translucent or transparent material to enable projection of light and / or imaging from the optical fiber 302 through the cover 110. In some embodiments, the distal tip 111 of the cover 110 can be formed of a translucent or transparent material, while the remainder of the cover 110 is formed of an opaque metal or plastic material. In other embodiments, the cover 110 can be formed entirely of a translucent or transparent material.

[0050] In a further embodiment, Figure 1C and Figure 1D As shown, the distal tip 111 of the cap 110 may have an opening 135 formed therein that is configured to allow illumination light from the distal end 303 of the optical fiber 302 to be projected through the optical fiber or to allow an image to be received by the optical fiber 302. Thus, the opening 135 at the distal tip 111 of the cap 110 may be used to facilitate illumination or imaging through the optical fiber 302 while providing unobstructed viewing of or access to an external space distal to the distal tip 111 of the cap 110.

[0051] Figure 2A A partial cross-sectional side view of a portion of an exemplary configuration of a rotary trimmer 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. As shown, the rotary trimmer 100 includes a rotor 212 operably coupled to a cutting body 202 at a distal end of the rotor 212, and a driver 214 (e.g., an electromechanical motor) at a proximal end of the rotor 212. The driver 214, rotor 212, and cutting body 202 may be collectively referred to as a cutting assembly 200. In this arrangement, the driver 214, when activated, causes the rotor 212 disposed within the base unit 120 to rotate or oscillate, which in turn causes the cutting body 202 to rotate or oscillate.

[0052] When cover 110 is attached above base unit 120, at least a portion of shearing body 202 extends into the interior portion of cover 110. As described above, in certain embodiments, shearing body 202 can comprise a generally tubular geometry. In such embodiments, shearing body 202 can have an annular cutting surface 203, which is provided with an opening 207 at the distal end 209 of shearing body 202. Cutting surface 203 can extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (e.g., parallel to axis X) of shearing body 202. In certain embodiments, cutting surface 203 can comprise one or more teeth or sharp edges, the shape of which is set to cut / shear hair filaments when cutting surface 203 rotates.

[0053] Figure 2B Some embodiments according to the present disclosure are shown Figure 2AFIG2 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a rotary trimmer configuration during use depicted in FIG2. When the rotary trimmer 100 is introduced into the patient's outer ear, the driver 214 of the cutting assembly 200 can be activated by the user pressing the switch 133 on the outer surface 128 of the base unit 120. When the rotary trimmer 100 is activated, the driver 214 of the cutting assembly 200 is configured to rotate or oscillate (unidirectionally or bidirectionally) about the longitudinal axis of the rotary trimmer 100, parallel to the X-axis. The rotation or oscillation of the cutting body 202 causes the cutting surface 203 to move or rotate in a circular motion about the longitudinal X-axis. When the driver 214 is activated and the cutting surface 203 is rotating, the user can advance the rotary trimmer 100 toward the outer ear and / or into the ear canal (indicated by arrow 242), which causes the ear hair 240 to pass through the slit 112 of the cover 110 and enter the space inside the cover 110, where the ear hair 240 is cut by the cutting surface 203 of the cutting body 202.

[0054] During or after the cutting body 202 cuts the ear hair 240, the resulting loose (e.g., cut) hair fragments can be collected by the rotary trimmer 100 to prevent such hair fragments from entering the patient's middle ear during a subsequent surgical procedure. In some embodiments, vacuum suction can be applied via the rotary trimmer 100 to collect the hair fragments. In such embodiments and as previously described with reference to Figure 1A As discussed, the rotary trimmer 100 can be in fluid communication with a vacuum source 129 via a vacuum line 301 coupled to one or more ports 123 at the proximal end 125 of the base unit 120 for generating and applying vacuum suction. In some embodiments, the vacuum source 129 can be continuously and / or automatically activated when the cutting assembly 200 of the rotary trimmer 100 is activated. In other embodiments, the user can manually and individually activate the vacuum source 129 while the rotary trimmer 100 is in use (e.g., by pressing a switch or toggle on the exterior of the base unit 120).

[0055] When activated, the vacuum source 129 can generate a vacuum force that can act on loose hair fragments through the base unit 120 and the cover 110, causing the hair fragments to be pulled through the interior of the cover 110 and / or the base unit 120, through the one or more ports 123, and through the vacuum line 301 to the vacuum source 129 for removal. In some embodiments, the loose hair filaments can be attracted and collected by a catch disposed within the base unit 120. In such embodiments, the catch can include a removable collection chamber.

[0056] Figure 2CA partial cross-sectional side view of a portion of another exemplary configuration of a rotary trimmer 100 is shown, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 2C Certain aspects of the configuration of the rotary trimmer 100 depicted in Figure 2A and Figure 2B Accordingly, similar or substantially similar aspects will be omitted in the following description for the sake of brevity.

[0057] like Figure 2C As shown, in some embodiments, in addition to or in lieu of the cutting surface 203, the cutting assembly 200 can include one or more side blades 204 extending from the outer surface 205 of the cutting body 202. Each of the one or more side blades 204 can include at least one of a side cutting surface 206 and / or a distal cutting surface 208. The side cutting surface 206 can extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cutting body 202 and the rotary trimmer 100 (e.g., parallel to the axis X). Thus, the side cutting surface 206 can be configured to cut hair that extends laterally from the slit 112 into or toward the outer surface 205 of the cutting body 202. Meanwhile, the distal cutting surface 208 can be disposed at the distal end of the side blade 204, substantially near the distal end 209 of the cutting body 202. The distal cutting surface 208 can extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rotary trimmer 100 and, thus, can be used to cut hair portions that extend parallel to the cutting body 202 of the rotary trimmer 100 into the slit 112. In further embodiments, each of the side blades 204 can include a proximal cutting surface on a surface opposite the distal cutting surface 208 and, in some embodiments, parallel to the distal cutting surface.

[0058] Figure 2D Some embodiments according to the present disclosure are shown Figure 2C 2 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the rotary trimmer configuration during use. As shown, when the drive 214 of the cutting assembly 200 is activated and the cutting body 202 is rotated, the user can advance the rotary trimmer 100 toward the outer ear and / or into the ear canal (indicated by arrow 242), which causes ear hair 240 to pass through the slit 112 of the cover 110 and enter the space inside the cover 110. In this space, the ear hair 240 contacts the cutting surfaces 203, 206 and / or 208 that cut the ear hair 240. Figure 2B Similar to the example in , cut hair fragments may be sucked and / or collected by the rotary trimmer 100 via application of vacuum force by a vacuum source 129 fluidly coupled to the base unit 120 .

[0059] Now go to Figure 3A and Figure 3B , shows a front view of the distal end 121 of the base unit 120 of the rotary trimmer 100. In such an embodiment, the optical fiber 302 is concentrically disposed relative to the cutting surface 203 of the cutting assembly 200. The optical fiber 302 can be centrally disposed within the cutting body 202 such that the radial distance between a point on the outer surface of the optical fiber 302 and the inner surface 210 of the cutting body 202 is uniform around the entire circumference of the optical fiber 302. Figure 3A In the example of FIG, optical fiber 302 is an illumination fiber that is configured to relay and project illumination light from a distal end 303 of optical fiber 302. Optical fiber 302 can be a multimode end-launch optical fiber, a single-mode end-launch optical fiber, etc. An illumination light source 306 can be optically coupled to optical fiber 302 and can generate illumination light to be transmitted through optical fiber 302.

[0060] In some embodiments, the optical fiber 302 can extend through one or more ports 123 of the base unit 120 to connect to the illumination light source 306. Alternatively, the optical fiber 302 can be connected to the illumination light source 306 via a second optical fiber that is disposed within an optical cable and connected to the optical fiber 302 at, for example, one or more ports 123. In certain other embodiments, the illumination light source 306 can be integrated into the base unit 120. The illumination light source 306 can include any suitable type of illumination light source, including a violet light source, a blue light source, a white light source, or any other type of light source that produces visible light. For example, an LED-based (light emitting diode-based) illumination light source 306 can be utilized. In further examples, a xenon-based or halogen-based illumination light source 306 can be utilized.

[0061] In some embodiments, the optical fiber 302 has a diameter between about 20 μm and about 120 μm, such as between about 40 μm and about 100 μm. For example, the optical fiber 302 has a diameter between about 50 μm and about 80 μm. However, smaller or larger diameters are also contemplated.

[0062] exist Figure 3B In the example shown, optical fiber 302 is an image fiber coupled to camera 304 for facilitating visualization and imaging, including digital visualization and imaging, from within rotary trimmer 100 through distal end 303 of optical fiber 302. Camera 304, integrated with optical fiber 302, can be communicatively coupled to an external display to facilitate a user viewing the imaging feed captured by camera 304 and relayed by optical fiber 302. The external display can be connected to camera 304 and optical fiber 302 wirelessly or via a wired connection to transmit the image feed from camera 304.

[0063] In certain embodiments, as Figure 3BAs depicted, the optical fiber 302 can be further disposed within a sleeve 308. The sleeve 308 can be coupled directly or indirectly to the exterior of the optical fiber 302. The sleeve 308 can act as a tubular structure for providing structural support and alignment of the optical fiber 302 within the base unit 120. In embodiments where the sleeve 308 is directly coupled to the optical fiber 302, the inner surface of the sleeve 308 can have an inner diameter substantially similar to the outer diameter of the optical fiber 302. In certain embodiments, the increased stiffness provided by the sleeve 308 enables the optical fiber 302 to be suspended within / through the shear body 202.

[0064] Figure 4A and Figure 4B An exemplary front view of the distal end 121 of the base unit 120 housing at least two optical fibers is shown. Accordingly, the first optical fiber 440a can be configured as an illumination fiber for relaying and projecting illumination light to illuminate the auditory canal space, while the second optical fiber 440b can be configured as an imaging fiber for providing digital visualization and imaging of the second optical fiber, or vice versa.

[0065] In some embodiments, the first optical fiber 440a and the second optical fiber 440b can be the same size (eg, have the same diameter). Figure 4A , for reference, illustrates an example of a first optical fiber 440a and a second optical fiber 440b formed to be substantially the same size. In such an embodiment, the first optical fiber 440a and the second optical fiber 440b can each have a diameter between about 20 μm and about 120 μm, such as between about 40 μm and about 100 μm. For example, the first optical fiber 440a and the second optical fiber 440b can each have a diameter between about 50 μm and about 80 μm. However, in other embodiments, the optical fibers 440a and 440b can each have different sizes.

[0066] In some embodiments, the optical fibers 440a, 440b may be coupled together (e.g., by bonding with an adhesive) within the base unit 120. In other embodiments, the optical fibers 440a, 440b may be separated and isolated from each other within the base unit 120. Figure 4A As shown, in some embodiments, the first optical fiber 440a and the second optical fiber 440b can be centered within the base unit 120 by being disposed within the opening 207 of the cutting body 202. However, in other embodiments, only one of the first optical fiber 440a and the second optical fiber 440b can be disposed through the cutting body 202, with the other optical fiber disposed externally.

[0067] like Figure 4BAs depicted, one or both of the first optical fiber 440a and the second optical fiber 440b can optionally be disposed within a sleeve 408. Similar to the sleeve 308, the sleeve 408 can provide structural support and containment for the first optical fiber 440a and / or the second optical fiber 440b within the rotary trimmer 100. In some embodiments, a transparent filler material can be used within the sleeve 408 to prevent the first optical fiber 440a and / or the second optical fiber 440b from moving within the sleeve. For example, an adhesive can fill all areas within the sleeve 408 not occupied by the optical fibers 440a, 440b. In other embodiments, one or both of the optical fibers 440a, 440b are disposed within the sleeve 408 without utilizing a filler material.

[0068] Figure 5 An exemplary front view of the distal end 121 of the base unit 120 is shown having a first optical fiber 550 and a plurality of second optical fibers 540 surrounding the first optical fiber 550. In the illustrated embodiment, the single first optical fiber 550 can be configured as an imaging fiber to provide digital visualization, while each of the plurality of second optical fibers 540 can be configured as an illumination fiber to project illumination light.

[0069] exist Figure 5 In the exemplary arrangement of FIG. 5 , a single first optical fiber 550 is disposed within the cutting body 202 and is circumferentially surrounded by a plurality of second optical fibers 540 along the outer circumference of the optical fiber 550. In other words, the ring of second optical fibers 540 is disposed around and in contact with the first optical fiber 550 such that the center of the optical fiber 550 is equidistant, or at least substantially equidistant, from the center of the optical fiber 540. As shown, the single first optical fiber 550 and the plurality of second optical fibers 540 can all be centrally suspended within the cutting body 202.

[0070] In some embodiments, the size of each of the second optical fibers 540 can be smaller than the size of the first optical fiber 550 so that the optical fibers 540, 550 can fit within the space inside the cutting body 202. In another embodiment, the plurality of second optical fibers 540 can be disposed outside the cutting body 202, such as along the inner surface 124 of the base unit 120. In further embodiments, an optional sleeve 548 can be disposed around the plurality of second optical fibers 540 and configured to tightly hold the second optical fibers 540 to the first optical fibers 550. The sleeve 548 can have any suitable thickness and size to ensure that the second optical fibers 540 are tightly packed together without room for the second optical fibers 540 to be loose or move. Since the second optical fibers 540 are arranged 360 degrees around the first optical fiber 550, Figure 5 The arrangement of the first optical fiber 550 and the second optical fiber 540 depicted in FIG. 5 may provide improved illumination of the concha space during use of the rotary trimmer 100 thereof.

[0071] In addition to utilizing different arrangements and numbers of optical fibers within the base unit 120 of the rotary trimmer 100, the clarity of the illumination light relayed by the illumination optical fibers through the cap 110 into the patient's ear canal space and / or the clarity of the imaging obtained by the imaging optical fibers disposed within the rotary trimmer 100 can also be modified by using different materials for the cap 110. In one aspect, the cap 110 can be formed from a material suitable for insertion into a human ear. As discussed above, the cap 110 can include one or more sections formed from a translucent or transparent material to enable light and / or imaging to be projected through the cap 110. In some embodiments, the distal tip 111 of the cap 110 can be formed from a translucent or transparent material, while the remainder of the cap 110 is formed from an opaque metal or plastic material. In other embodiments, the cap 110 can be formed entirely from a translucent or transparent material.

[0072] In summary, embodiments of the present disclosure include instruments for use with neuro-otological surgery, and more particularly include cutting instruments for cutting ear canal hair and having combined cutting, illumination, and vacuuming capabilities. In particular, the above-described instruments are configured to cut and vacuum ear canal hair and can be used prior to performing a TEES procedure to avoid the risk of ear canal hair entering the middle ear during the TEES procedure and causing a middle ear infection and / or inflammation. In addition, the illumination light transmitted by the described instruments enables enhanced visualization of the ear canal during inspection of hair and removal of hair from the ear canal. Further, in certain embodiments described herein, these instruments can facilitate digital visualization and imaging capabilities to assist in inspecting hair and removing hair from the ear canal. Digital visualization and imaging capabilities can also be implemented as part of a safety or feedback mechanism in the instrument to prevent inadvertent contact and damage to the tympanic membrane when the cutting instrument is used on a patient.

[0073] Thus, the use of the instruments described herein allows for efficient, safe, and complete hair removal from the ear canal prior to TEES surgery and enables surgeons to perform TEES surgery without the need for an ear speculum. Eliminating the need for an ear speculum reduces the number of instruments a surgeon needs to hold during a TEES procedure and also provides the surgeon with more working space in the ear canal. Accordingly, the described embodiments enable more efficient, less invasive, and safer neuro-otologic surgery.

[0074] While neuro-otological procedures are discussed as examples of surgical procedures that may benefit from the described embodiments, the advantages of the instruments described herein may also be beneficial in other surgical procedures.

[0075] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure may be envisaged without departing from the basic scope of the disclosure, and the scope of the disclosure is determined by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A rotary trimmer comprising: a base unit configured to be held by a user, the base unit comprising an opening at a distal end of the base unit; a cover removably coupled to the opening, the cover including a plurality of slits near a distal end of the cover; a shearing assembly disposed at least partially within the base unit, the shearing assembly comprising: blade; a rotor coupled to the blades; and a driver configured to rotate the rotor, wherein rotating the rotor causes the blades to gyrate; one or more optical fibers disposed within the base unit and configured to facilitate visualization of an exterior space distal to the cover; and A port is disposed at a proximal end of the base unit, the port being configured for fluid communication with a vacuum line.

2. The rotary trimmer according to claim 1, wherein At least one of the one or more optical fibers is configured to project illumination light.

3. The rotary trimmer according to claim 1, wherein: At least one of the one or more optical fibers is optically coupled to a camera at a distal end of the at least one of the one or more optical fibers.

4. The rotary trimmer according to claim 1, wherein: The one or more optical fibers include one or more illumination optical fibers configured to propagate illumination light to the external space and one or more image optical fibers configured to capture images and propagate the images to a visualization system.

5. The rotary trimmer according to claim 3, wherein: At least one of the one or more optical fibers is configured as a proximity sensor to detect one or more sensitive surfaces inside the ear canal space and monitor the distance between the distal end of the cover and the one or more sensitive surfaces.

6. The rotary trimmer of claim 5 , further comprising a safety feedback feature for providing an audible and / or visual notification to a user when the proximity sensor detects that the distal end of the cap is within a minimum threshold distance from the one or more sensitive surfaces inside the ear canal space.

7. The rotary trimmer of claim 5 , further comprising a safety feedback feature for disabling the cutting assembly when the proximity sensor detects that the distal end of the cover is within a minimum threshold distance from the one or more sensitive surfaces inside the ear canal space.

8. A rotary trimmer according to claim 7, wherein: After the cutting assembly has been disabled by the safety feedback feature, the rotary trimmer is configured to automatically reactivate the cutting assembly when the proximity sensor detects that the distal end of the cover is outside the minimum threshold distance.

9. The rotary trimmer according to claim 1, wherein: The cover further includes one or more sections formed of a translucent or transparent material to facilitate light transmission therethrough.

10. The rotary trimmer according to claim 1, wherein The blade includes a cylindrical body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the cylindrical body is coupled to the rotor, and wherein the distal end of the cylindrical body includes a cutting surface formed along a circumferential edge of an opening at the distal end of the cylindrical body.

11. The rotary trimmer according to claim 10, wherein: The blade further includes a hollow cavity extending from the proximal end of the cylindrical body to the opening at the distal end of the cylindrical body, and wherein the one or more optical fibers are concentrically disposed within the hollow cavity relative to the cutting surface of the cylindrical body.

12. The rotary trimmer according to claim 1, wherein The blade includes a cylindrical body and one or more lateral blades extending laterally from an outer surface of the cylindrical body, wherein each of the one or more lateral blades includes a lateral cutting surface disposed parallel to the outer surface of the cylindrical body.

13. A rotary trimmer according to claim 12, wherein Each of the one or more lateral blades further includes a distal cutting surface at a distal end of each of the one or more lateral blades, wherein the distal cutting surface extends perpendicular to the outer surface of the cylindrical body.

14. The rotary trimmer of claim 1, further comprising a vacuum line for fluidly coupling the port to a vacuum source.

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