82 results about "Eustachian tube" patented technology

Sinusitis, mucocysts, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, choanal atresia, fractures and other disorders of the paranasal sinuses, Eustachian tubes, Lachrymal ducts and other ear, nose, throat and mouth structures are diagnosed and / or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air / gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies and endoscopic studies. Access and occluding devices may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices such asendoscopes, wires, probes, needles, catheters, balloon catheters, dilation catheters, dilators, balloons, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, suction or irrigation devices, imaging devices, sizing devices, biopsy devices, image-guided devices containing sensors or transmitters, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for injecting diagnostic or therapeutic agents, devices for implanting devices such as stents, substance eluting or delivering devices and implants, etc.

A method for dilating a Eustachian tube of a patient is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method may involve advancing a dilation device through a nasal passage of the patient to position a dilator of the device at least partially in a Eustachian tube of the patient, expanding the dilator to an expanded configuration to dilate a portion of the Eustachian tube, collapsing the dilator, and removing the dilation device from the patient. The dilated portion of the Eustachian tube remains at least partially dilated after removal of the device.

Methods and systems for accessing a Eustachian tube of a patient are disclosed. The system includes a guide configured for passing into a nasal passage of the patient to position a distal tip of the catheter at or near a Eustachian tube, the guide having a distal tip with a bend having an angle between 30 and 90 degrees; and a guidewire configured to pass through the guide into the Eustachian tube. A device for providing therapy to the Eustachian tube is passed through the guide.

Method and systems for accessing a Eustachian tube of a patient are disclosed. The system includes a guide configured for passing into a nasal passage of the patient to position a distal tip of the catheter at or near a Eustachian tube, the guide having distal tip with a bend having an angle between 30 and 90 degrees; and a guidewire configured to pass through the guide into the Eustachian tube.

Sinusitis, mucocysts, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, choanal atresia, fractures and other disorders of the paranasal sinuses, Eustachian tubes, Lachrymal ducts and other ear, nose, throat and mouth structures are diagnosed and / or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air / gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies and endoscopic studies. Access and occluding devices may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices such asendoscopes, wires, probes, needles, catheters, balloon catheters, dilation catheters, dilators, balloons, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, suction or irrigation devices, imaging devices, sizing devices, biopsy devices, image-guided devices containing sensors or transmitters, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for injecting diagnostic or therapeutic agents, devices for implanting devices such as stents, substance eluting or delivering devices and implants, etc.

Sinusitis, mucocysts, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, choanal atresia, fractures and other disorders of the paranasal sinuses, Eustachian tubes, Lachrymal ducts and other ear, nose, throat and mouth structures are diagnosed and / or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air / gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies and endoscopic studies. Access and occluding devices may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices such asendoscopes, wires, probes, needles, catheters, balloon catheters, dilation catheters, dilators, balloons, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, suction or irrigation devices, imaging devices, sizing devices, biopsy devices, image-guided devices containing sensors or transmitters, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for injecting diagnostic or therapeutic agents, devices for implanting devices such as stents, substance eluting or delivering devices and implants, etc.

The present invention provides a device stenting the ET. The stent (device) provides enhanced ventilation and drainage to the middle ear. Also provided is a method for inserting the device into the Eustachian tube and through the isthmus of a human subject.

Devices are provided for insertion into a Eustachian tube of an animal, e.g., a human being. The devices may include an insertable member, an immobilizing means and a fluid-communication providing means. The member has opposing surfaces and is formed at least in part from a biocompatible material that is degradable. The fluid-communication providing means is effective to provide sufficient fluid communication between the opposing surfaces of the insertable member to effect pressure equilibration therebetween. The immobilizing means is effective to immobilize the device within the Eustachian tube for a predetermined period. Also provided are kits that include the device and methods for inserting the device into a Eustachian tube.

An apparatus comprises a shaft, an expandable dilator, and at least one ventilation pathway. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis and comprises a distal and proximal ends with at least one shaft lumen. The expandable dilator comprises body with its own proximal and distal ends. The body is configured to transition between a contracted state and an expanded state. The body is configured to dilate a Eustachian tube of a patient in the expanded state. The at least one ventilation pathway is configured to provide ventilation from the distal end of the body to the proximal end of the body when the body is in the expanded state. In some examples, the ventilation pathway comprises a set of transversely oriented vent openings formed through the shaft. In some other examples, the ventilation pathway comprises a space defined between one or more radially outwardly protruding features of the expandable dilator.

A method is disclosed for clearing effusion from an ear. The method may include applying liquid to an ear canal, which is proximal to a perforated tympanic membrane, which is proximal to a middle ear containing effusion, applying an ear device to seal and pressurize the liquid inside the ear canal, the ear device regulating the amount of pressure inside the ear canal, and inducing a Eustachian tube, which is distal to the middle ear, to open, which causes the fluid to displace the effusion into the Eustachian tube.

The present invention provides a device stenting the ET. The stent (device) provides enhanced ventilation and drainage to the middle ear. Also provided is a method for inserting the device into the Eustachian tube and through the isthmus of a human subject.

Dilators are provided for insertion into, and dilation of, a Eustachian tube of an animal, e.g., a human being. The dilators may be placed in the Eustachian tube via the oral or nasal passageway, and the nasopharynx. The dilators are configured to be self-expanding and include a driver configured to expand an expandable portion from a non-expanded configuration to an expanded configuration. Also provided are kits that include the dilator, an insertion device for inserting the dilator, and methods for inserting the dilator into a Eustachian tube.

An elevator controller provided to an elevator capable of lessening the unpleasant feeling of the passenger(s) due to ear popping without lowering the operation efficiency of the elevator more than required. An elevation / descent distance calculating section (13) calculates the elevation / descent distance of the car (1) controlled by the elevator controller from destination floor information (12a) and car position command signal (3a) and outputs elevation / descent distance information (13a) to a speed pattern generating section (14). The speed pattern generating section (14) compares in magnitude the elevation / descent distance and a predetermined distance. If the elevation / descent distance is shorter than the predetermined one, the speed pattern generating section (14) generates a speed pattern (14a) for normal operation; if longer, the speed pattern generating section (14) generates a speed pattern (14a) for partial low-speed operation. The predetermined distance indicates the height difference corresponding to the air pressure difference which brings the passenger(s) opening the Eustachian tube to solve the ear popping. A speed control circuit (24) elevates / descends the car (1) according to the speed pattern (14a). As a result, after the first opening of the Eustachian tube, the car (1) elevates / descends at low speed, the interval until the car (1) elevates / descends a height difference causing the next ear popping can be lengthened, and the unpleasant feeling of the passenger(s) due to the ear popping can be lessened.

Methods and devices for providing a gas pathway between the nasopharynx and the Eustachian tube are provided. One device may include a lumen with a valve. A portion of the valve may be tethered to adjacent muscle. Another portion of the valve may be tethered to adjacent cartilage. When the muscle contracts the valve may open through movement of the tethers, and provide a gas pathway between the nasopharynx and the Eustachian tube.

Methods and devices for providing a gas pathway between the nasopharynx and the Eustachian tube are provided. One device may include a lumen with a valve. A portion of the valve may be tethered to adjacent muscle. Another portion of the valve may be tethered to adjacent cartilage. When the muscle contracts the valve may open through movement of the tethers, and provide a gas pathway between the nasopharynx and the Eustachian tube.

A device for obtaining an equalization of a negative pressure in the middle ear is disclosed. The device comprises a facemask, an air pump and an air reservoir, all of them connected to a connecting tube. An increased air pressure is created by expiration into the facemask and / or by activating the air pump. A sufficient rise in air pressure in the device makes the air reservoir to expand, and this creates an increased pressure in the mouth / nose cavity and opens the Eustachian tube and forces air into the middle ear for equalization of the negative pressure in the middle ear.

A method is disclosed for clearing effusion from an ear. The method may include applying liquid to an ear canal, which is proximal to a perforated tympanic membrane, which is proximal to a middle ear containing effusion, applying an ear device to seal and pressurize the liquid inside the ear canal, the ear device regulating the amount of pressure inside the ear canal, and inducing a Eustachian tube, which is distal to the middle ear, to open, which causes the fluid to displace the effusion into the Eustachian tube.

The invention discloses a side sound enhancement method, a device, an ear-in earphone and a computer-readable storage medium of an ear-in earphone, which relate to the technical field of portable listening equipment, and are used for solving the problems of low signal-to-noise ratio of side sound signals of the prior art and affecting the call quality. The method comprises the following steps of:acquiring an original speech signal by using a microphone arranged at the ear-in end of the first earphone; obtaining a lateral sound signal according to the user's voice signal transmitted through the eustachian tube in the original voice signal; transmitting a sidebar signal to a speaker of the first headset and / or the second headset to play the sidebar signal. The present invention utilizes a microphone provided at the ear-in end of a first earphone, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the side tone signal is improved, so that the enhanced side tone can improve the authenticity of the call and avoid the influence on the call quality, and the user experience is improved.

The nasal sprayer with multiple applicators is a liquid dispensing device with two separate applicators. A first applicator is in the form of a spray nozzle, similar to that of a conventional nasal sprayer, which is provided for atomized liquid dispensing to the nasal passages. A second applicator is in the form of a flexible tube, which is adapted for dispensing liquid to deeper regions, such as the Eustachian tube or the adenoid or sinus regions. The nasal sprayer with multiple applicators includes a receptacle for receiving a volume of a liquid medicament for intranasal treatment. A pump assembly selectively transfers a metered dose of the liquid medicament to a dispensing assembly for dispensing through a selected one of first and second ports. A spray nozzle is in fluid communication with the first port and a flexible spray tube is in fluid communication with the second port.

A device and method for dilating a Eustachian tube of a patient is disclosed. The device includes a guide catheter and a balloon dilation catheter. The balloon dilation catheter has an actuator that prevents injury to the middle ear. The balloon dilation catheter is slidably coupled with the guide catheter through the guide catheter lumen and is fully inserted into the guide catheter lumen when the distal side of the actuator is adjacent to the proximal end of the guide catheter. The method involves advancing the guide catheter and balloon dilation catheter through a nasal passage of the patient to dilate a portion of the Eustachian tube.

The invention discloses an ear-carried type hearing aid (6) for receiving sound in ears, comprising loudspeakers (5). Air conduits (1) are connected to the loudspeakers (5) through flexible tubes (2) and are arranged nearby Eustachian tubes of middle ears. The hearing aid solves the problem of signal attenuation when signals are transmitted to eardrums, changes the traditional mode of improving the received sounds of users by improving the qualities of signals into the mode of adding the air conduits (1) by changing a structure under the premise of ensuring the wearing comfortableness of the users to directly transmit the sound signals to the eardrums from external auditory canals, thereby the users can obtain higher power effect, the power of the ear-carried type hearing aid for receiving sound in ears is improved by above 20%.

The invention relates to a medical instrument. The eustachian tube balloon catheter comprises a slender catheter, the slender catheter is provided with a near-end catheter body and a far-end catheterbody, the near-end catheter body is fixedly sleeved with a connector, the far-end catheter body is fixedly sleeved with a balloon, the outer surface of the balloon is coated with a drug coating, the drug coating is liposome or cyclodextrin, and the outer circumferential surface of the slender catheter is provided with a hydrophilic coating. The drug coating is arranged on the outer surface of theballoon, so that the irritation and toxicity of the drug to a lesion can be reduced, and the stability of the drug is improved; the hydrophilic coating is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the slender catheter, and the lubricating degree of the hydrophilic coating is good, so that the surface friction coefficient of the balloon, the slender catheter and the eustachian tube is reduced, and the balloon catheter more easily penetrates through a nasal cavity channel of a patient to enter the eustachian tube.

An apparatus comprises a shaft, an expandable dilator, and at least one ventilation pathway. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis and comprises a distal and proximal ends with at least one shaft lumen. The expandable dilator comprises body with its own proximal and distal ends. The body is configured to transition between a contracted state and an expanded state. The body is configured to dilate a Eustachian tube of a patient in the expanded state. The at least one ventilation pathway is configured to provide ventilation from the distal end of the body to the proximal end of the body when the body is in the expanded state. In some examples, the ventilation pathway comprises a set of transversely oriented vent openings formed through the shaft. In some other examples, the ventilation pathway comprises a space defined between one or more radially outwardly protruding features of the expandable dilator.

A system and method for dilating a Eustachian tube of a patient is disclosed. The device includes a protective sheath, a flexible endoscope and a balloon dilation catheter. The protective sheath includes an endoscope lumen and a balloon dilation catheter lumen. The balloon of the balloon dilation catheter is a low profile balloon particularly useful for dilating the Eustachian tube, and in particular, the Eustachian tube of a pediatric patient. The method involves advancing the balloon dilation catheter through a nasal passage of the patient to dilate a portion of the Eustachian tube.

The invention provides a tympanic cavity-eustachian tube drainage device which comprises a support sheet and a drainage strip, wherein the support sheet is connected with one end of the drainage strip; drainage slots are formed in the surfaces of the support sheet and the drainage strip and include first drainage slots and a second drainage slot; the first drainage slots are formed in the supportsheet and extend to one end of the drainage strip from the periphery of the support sheet; the second drainage slot is formed in the drainage strip and extends to the other end of the drainage strip from one end of the drainage strip; and the first drainage slots are in butt connection with the second drainage slot. The support sheet can cover a mucosa of a tympanic cavity; at the same time, the drainage strip can be inserted into an eustachian tube; the first drainage slots drain secretions to the drainage strip from the tympanic cavity; the second drainage slot drain the secretions drained by the first drainage slots to the outside of the tympanic cavity; and the tympanic cavity-eustachian tube drainage device can avoid adhesion of the tympanic cavity and an ostium of the eustachian tube, drain the secretions in the tympanic cavity, improve a ventilation function of the eustachian tube and a middle ear, help reconstruct a pneumatic space of the tympanic cavity and increase hearing reconstruction probability.