Abstract: A loading device is configured to load a ventilation tube into an inserter device. The loading device includes a main body and at least one protruding member extending from the main body and terminating at a loading tip. An elongated hollow body has a first end, a second end, an inner wall and an outer wall. The elongated hollow body surrounds the at least one protruding member such that at least a portion of an outer facing surface of the protruding member engages with an inner wall of the elongated hollow body. A ventilation tube engages with the loading tip of the protruding member and is at least partially located within the elongated hollow body.

Abstract: An insertion system includes a handle assembly and a nose assembly removably attached to the handle assembly and including an insertion end. The handle assembly includes a main body, a nose interface and an actuating element. The nose assembly includes a nose, a positioning rod extending from the nose to a distal end, a cutting sheath surrounding a distal end of the positioning rod and including a cutting edge, an actuation member having a proximal end coupled to the actuating element when the nose assembly is attached to the handle assembly and a distal end attached to the cutting sheath, a ventilation tube positioned distal to the distal end of the positioning rod and proximal to the insertion end. The cutting sheath retracts from around the ventilation tube and along the positioning rod when the actuating element on the handle assembly is moved.

Abstract: A ventilation device includes a hollow body having a main portion, at least one distal member coupled to a distal end of the main portion and at least one proximal member coupled to a proximal end of the main portion. The at least one distal member is formed of a shape memory material. The hollow body includes a deployed state for maintaining an opening in an anatomical structure and an undeployed state. The shape memory material forms the at least one distal member into a deployed position. The shape memory material is reversibly deformed from the deployed state into the undeployed state such that at least the distal member changes in shape to an undeployed position, while the main portion of the hollow body remains unchanged.

Abstract: A ventilation device includes a hollow body having a main portion, at least one distal member coupled to a distal end of the main portion and at least one proximal member coupled to a proximal end of the main portion. The at least one distal member is formed of a shape memory material. The hollow body includes a deployed state for maintaining an opening in an anatomical structure and an undeployed state. The shape memory material forms the at least one distal member into a deployed position. The shape memory material is reversibly deformed from the deployed state into the undeployed state such that at least the distal member changes in shape to an undeployed position, while the main portion of the hollow body remains unchanged.

Abstract: An insertion system includes a handle assembly and a nose assembly removably attached to the handle assembly and including an insertion end. The handle assembly includes a main body, a nose interface and an actuating element. The nose assembly includes a nose, a positioning rod extending from the nose to a distal end, a cutting sheath surrounding a distal end of the positioning rod and including a cutting edge, an actuation member having a proximal end coupled to the actuating element when the nose assembly is attached to the handle assembly and a distal end attached to the cutting sheath, a ventilation tube positioned distal to the distal end of the positioning rod and proximal to the insertion end. The cutting sheath retracts from around the ventilation tube and along the positioning rod when the actuating element on the handle assembly is moved.

Abstract: A ventilation device includes a hollow body having a main portion, at least one distal member coupled to a distal end of the main portion and at least one proximal member coupled to a proximal end of the main portion. The at least one distal member is formed of a shape memory material. The hollow body includes a deployed state for maintaining an opening in an anatomical structure and an undeployed state. The shape memory material forms the at least one distal member into a deployed position. The shape memory material is reversibly deformed from the deployed state into the undeployed state such that at least the distal member changes in shape to an undeployed position, while the main portion of the hollow body remains unchanged.

Abstract: A device performs a myringotomy and includes a main body oriented along a central axis. The main body includes an attachment hub for receiving components that provide suction. A hollow positioning member extends at least partially along the central axis, is coupled to the main body and includes a distal end. A cutting edge is located at the distal end of the hollow positioning member and is configured to pierce a tympanic membrane of a body. A sampling chamber is coupled to the main body for collecting at least a portion of the fluid located behind the tympanic membrane of the body using the components that provide suction at the attachment hub. A diagnostic indicator is housed in the sampling chamber and includes a visible indication of a test outcome when exposed to the fluid collected in the sampling chamber.

Abstract: A device performs a myringotomy and includes a main body oriented along a central axis. The main body includes an attachment hub for receiving components that provide suction. A hollow positioning member extends at least partially along the central axis, is coupled to the main body and includes a distal end. A cutting edge is located at the distal end of the hollow positioning member and is configured to pierce a tympanic membrane of a body. A sampling chamber is coupled to the main body for collecting at least a portion of the fluid located behind the tympanic membrane of the body using the components that provide suction at the attachment hub. A diagnostic indicator is housed in the sampling chamber and includes a visible indication of a test outcome when exposed to the fluid collected in the sampling chamber.

Abstract: An insertion system includes a handle assembly and a nose assembly removably attached to the handle assembly and including an insertion end. The handle assembly includes a main body, a nose interface and an actuating element. The nose assembly includes a nose, a positioning rod extending from the nose to a distal end, a cutting sheath surrounding a distal end of the positioning rod and including a cutting edge, an actuation member having a proximal end coupled to the actuating element when the nose assembly is attached to the handle assembly and a distal end attached to the cutting sheath, a ventilation tube positioned distal to the distal end of the positioning rod and proximal to the insertion end. The cutting sheath retracts from around the ventilation tube and along the positioning rod when the actuating element on the handle assembly is moved.

Abstract: A device performs a myringotomy and includes a main body, a hollow positioning member, a cutting edge for piercing a tympanic membrane, a protective sheath and an actuator. The main body is oriented along an axis and has a proximal end, a distal end and an outer surface. The main body includes an attachment hub for receiving components that provide suction. The hollow positioning member extends at least partially along the axis, is coupled to the main body and includes a distal end. The actuator is located on the main body and is configured to move the protective sheath from a first position that surrounds the cutting edge to a second position that exposes the cutting edge and from the second position back to the first position.

Abstract: A device performs a myringotomy and includes a main body, a hollow positioning member, a cutting edge for piercing a tympanic membrane, a protective sheath and an actuator. The main body is oriented along an axis and has a proximal end, a distal end and an outer surface. The main body includes an attachment hub for receiving components that provide suction. The hollow positioning member extends at least partially along the axis, is coupled to the main body and includes a distal end. The actuator is located on the main body and is configured to move the protective sheath from a first position that surrounds the cutting edge to a second position that exposes the cutting edge and from the second position back to the first position.