Abstract: The invention relates to an ear catheter for insertion into the middle-ear region through an incision in the eardrum, comprising a catheter tube (2) having a distal end (d) and a proximal end (p), wherein the catheter tube (2) comprises at least three lumina, namely a first lumen in the form of an administration lumen (3), a second lumen in the form of an inflation lumen (4), and a third lumen in the form of a pressure-relief lumen (5), and wherein the ear catheter (1) further comprises a first distal sealing element (6) and a second sealing element (7), positioned proximally to the first sealing element (6), wherein the sealing elements (6, 7) in the distal region of the catheter tube (2) form an administration region and at least the first sealing element (6) is provided in the form of an inflatable balloon, which is connected to the inflation lumen (4) in a fluid-permeable manner. The ear catheter according to the invention allows disorders of the middle ear to be effectively treated.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ear implant for improving or restoring the hearing ability in the event of defects in the area of the ossicles of the ear or posterior wall of the auditory canal, said implant consisting of lithium disilicate glass ceramic having a molar ratio of SiO2 to Li2O of 2 to 3, wherein the glass ceramic material being doped and stabilized with P2O5 and ZrO2, as well as a method for the production of the implant and the use of lithium disilicate glass ceramics in ear implants.

Abstract: A dilation catheter includes a shaft and an expandable element. The shaft includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion includes a tip and a bend. The tip is sized and configured to pass through an isthmus of a Eustachian tube (ET). The bend is proximal to the tip. The bend is formed at an angle configured to provide insertion of the tip into the isthmus of the ET via an ear canal associated with the ET. The expandable element is disposed at the distal portion of the shaft. The expandable element is configured to transition between a non-expanded state and an expanded state. The expandable element in the non-expanded state is configured for insertion into the ET via the isthmus. The expandable element in the expanded state is configured to dilate the ET.

Abstract: A dilation catheter includes a shaft and an expandable element. The shaft includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion includes a tip and a bend. The tip is sized and configured to pass through an isthmus of a Eustachian tube (ET). The bend is proximal to the tip. The bend is formed at an angle configured to provide insertion of the tip into the isthmus of the ET via an ear canal associated with the ET. The expandable element is disposed at the distal portion of the shaft. The expandable element is configured to transition between a non-expanded state and an expanded state. The expandable element in the non-expanded state is configured for insertion into the ET via the isthmus. The expandable element in the expanded state is configured to dilate the ET.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ear catheter for insertion into the eustachian tube with a first tube as catheter tube (3) provided with at least one first lumen as injection duct (3A) for the application of a liquid/fluid, at least one second lumen as pressure relief lumen (3B) for pressure relief and a self-expandable sealing element (2) for the occlusion of the eustachian tube, as well as an insertion aid comprising a headpiece, a middle piece and an end piece, wherein the insertion aid consists of a biocompatible polymer, and with at least one separator line extending at least through each of the middle piece and the end piece, along which the insertion aid can be unfolded or split open. The insertion aid proposed by the invention can thus be removed from a catheter even if the catheter ends are blocked.

Abstract: A dilation catheter includes a shaft and an expandable element. The shaft includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion includes a tip and a bend. The tip is sized and configured to pass through an isthmus of a Eustachian tube (ET). The bend is proximal to the tip. The bend is formed at an angle configured to provide insertion of the tip into the isthmus of the ET via an ear canal associated with the ET. The expandable element is disposed at the distal portion of the shaft. The expandable element is configured to transition between a non-expanded state and an expanded state. The expandable element in the non-expanded state is configured for insertion into the ET via the isthmus. The expandable element in the expanded state is configured to dilate the ET.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ear implant for improving or restoring the hearing ability in the event of defects in the area of the ossicles of the ear or posterior wall of the auditory canal, said implant consisting of lithium disilicate glass ceramic having a molar ratio of SiO2 to Li2O of 2 to 3, wherein the glass ceramic material being doped and stabilized with P2O5 and ZrO2, as well as a method for the production of the implant and the use of lithium disilicate glass ceramics in ear implants.

Abstract: A dilation catheter includes a shaft and an expandable element. The shaft includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion includes a tip and a bend. The tip is sized and configured to pass through an isthmus of a Eustachian tube (ET). The bend is proximal to the tip. The bend is formed at an angle configured to provide insertion of the tip into the isthmus of the ET via an ear canal associated with the ET. The expandable element is disposed at the distal portion of the shaft. The expandable element is configured to transition between a non-expanded state and an expanded state. The expandable element in the non-expanded state is configured for insertion into the ET via the isthmus. The expandable element in the expanded state is configured to dilate the ET.

Abstract: The invention relates to a non-invasive ear catheter (1) for introduction into the eustachian tube, comprising a catheter tube (2), an expandable balloon (3) for the occlusion of the eustachian tube, and an injection channel (5) for introducing medication into the middle ear region.

Abstract: A dilation catheter includes a shaft and an expandable element. The shaft includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion includes a tip and a bend. The tip is sized and configured to pass through an isthmus of a Eustachian tube (ET). The bend is proximal to the tip. The bend is formed at an angle configured to provide insertion of the tip into the isthmus of the ET via an ear canal associated with the ET. The expandable element is disposed at the distal portion of the shaft. The expandable element is configured to transition between a non-expanded state and an expanded state. The expandable element in the non-expanded state is configured for insertion into the ET via the isthmus. The expandable element in the expanded state is configured to dilate the ET.

Abstract: A dilation catheter includes a shaft and an expandable element. The shaft includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion includes a tip and a bend. The tip is sized and configured to pass through an isthmus of a Eustachian tube (ET). The bend is proximal to the tip. The bend is formed at an angle configured to provide insertion of the tip into the isthmus of the ET via an ear canal associated with the ET. The expandable element is disposed at the distal portion of the shaft. The expandable element is configured to transition between a non-expanded state and an expanded state. The expandable element in the non-expanded state is configured for insertion into the ET via the isthmus. The expandable element in the expanded state is configured to dilate the ET.

Abstract: A dilation catheter includes a shaft and an expandable element. The shaft includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion includes a tip and a bend. The tip is sized and configured to pass through an isthmus of a Eustachian tube (ET). The bend is proximal to the tip. The bend is formed at an angle configured to provide insertion of the tip into the isthmus of the ET via an ear canal associated with the ET. The expandable element is disposed at the distal portion of the shaft. The expandable element is configured to transition between a non-expanded state and an expanded state. The expandable element in the non-expanded state is configured for insertion into the ET via the isthmus. The expandable element in the expanded state is configured to dilate the ET.