Abstract: A tympanostomy tube insertion system includes a guide tube including a hollow passageway, the guide tube extending between a proximal end and a distal end. A first cutting member is located at the distal end of the guide tube. A plunger member has a forward end which extends into the hollow passageway at a proximal end of the guide tube. A tympanostomy tube is disposed within the hollow passageway toward the distal end of the guide tube.

Abstract: A high pressure balloon is insertable into a mammalian eustachian tube. The balloon has a body that includes a medial end, a lateral end, and a longitudinal axis extending from the medial end to the distal end, an exterior surface, an interior surface defining an air receiving interior, a lateral cross-sectional profile, and a longitudinal cross-sectional profile. The balloon is inflatable between a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration. The body is capable of retaining its desired size and shape when in the inflated configuration. The body has an ovaloid lateral cross-section that increases along the longitudinal axis from the relatively smaller cross-sectional area at the lateral end, to the relatively larger cross-sectional area at the medial end. The balloon is configured to uniformly expand the eustachian tube when in the inflated configuration.

Abstract: A balloon is provided for insertion into a mammalian eustachian tube. The balloon is a high pressure balloon having a body including a proximal end, a distal end, an exterior surface and an interior surface defining an air receivable interior. The body having a plurality of segments of different cross sectional areas, and a non-circular cross sectional profile. The balloon is inflatable between a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration. The body is sufficiently inelastic so as to be substantially incapable of expanding beyond a pre-determined size and shape when in the inflated configuration. The segments include a first segment having a first cross sectional area and a second segment disposed distally of the first segment The second segment has a second cross sectional area larger than the first cross sectional area.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube includes a nitinol body having a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the nitinol body has a first cylindrical shape defining a first end, a central region, a second end, a longitudinal axis, and a lumen extending longitudinally through the nitinol body. In the second configuration, the nitinol body is expanded and has a second cylindrical shape different than the first cylindrical shape and defines the first end, the central region, the second end, the longitudinal axis, and the lumen. A diameter of the lumen at one of the first end, the central region, and the second end is larger in the second configuration than the diameter of the lumen at the corresponding first end, central region, or second end in the first configuration.

Abstract: A hearing aid is provided for use with a user having a first and second ears disposed on first and second body sides. The hearing aid apparatus is configured for enabling the user to hear sounds that originate from a plurality of directions and includes a first hearing aid member placeable on a user's first body side. The first hearing aid member includes a first transducer for receiving sounds that would be received by the user's first ear and converting those received sounds into first transmittable electrical signals. A second hearing aid member is placeable on the user's second body side and is preferably a cochlear implant device including an electrode array positionable within a cochlea of a user.

Abstract: A hearing aid is provided for use with a user having a first and second ears disposed on first and second body sides. The hearing aid apparatus is configured for enabling the user to hear sounds that originate from a plurality of directions and includes a first hearing aid member placeable on a user's first body side. The first hearing aid member includes a first transducer for receiving sounds that would be received by the user's first ear and converting those received sounds into first transmittable electrical signals. A second hearing aid member is placeable on the user's second body side and is preferably a cochlear implant device including an electrode array positionable within a cochlea of a user.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube is provided for insertion into and residence in a tympanic membrane of a mammal. The tympanostomy tube has a body including a first end portion, a second end portion and a central portion disposed between the first and second end portions. Additionally, an axially extending passageway is provided having a first open end and a second open end. The first end portion includes a relatively enlarged diameter radially extending flange disposed adjacent a first end of the first end portion, and a relatively reduced diameter portion. The second end portion includes at least first and second moveable legs having first ends coupled to the first end portion and second ends. The second ends include sharpened surfaces that are sufficiently sharpened to incise through the tympanic membrane during insertion of the tympanostomy tube in the tympanic membrane.

Abstract: The hearing aid apparatus includes a first hearing aid member and a second hearing aid member. The first hearing aid member is placeable on a patient's body, and includes a first transducer for receiving sounds that would be received by the patient's first ear and converting these received sounds into first transmittable signals. The second hearing aid is placeable on a patient's body adjacent to the patient's second ear, and includes a receiver for receiving the first transmittable electrical signals and a second transducer for converting the first transmittable electrical signals into sound signals configured for delivery to the patient's second ear.

Abstract: A method for row crop cultivation in an agricultural plot includes providing a cover crop on a majority of the agricultural plot prior to planting a row crop, and applying an herbicide to the cover crop within a plurality of row crop planting stripes. The method also includes using an herbicide application device to limit application of the herbicide to the plurality of row crop planting stripes, planting row crop seedlings within the row crop planting stripes, and preserving the cover crop between the plurality of row crop planting stripes during cultivation of the row crop.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube includes a nitinol body having a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the nitinol body has a first cylindrical shape defining a first end, a central region, a second end, a longitudinal axis, and a lumen extending longitudinally through the nitinol body. In the second configuration, the nitinol body is expanded and has a second cylindrical shape different than the first cylindrical shape and defines the first end, the central region, the second end, the longitudinal axis, and the lumen. A diameter of the lumen at one of the first end, the central region, and the second end is larger in the second configuration than the diameter of the lumen at the corresponding first end, central region, or second end in the first configuration.

Abstract: A balloon is provided for insertion into a mammalian eustachian tube. The balloon is a high pressure balloon having a body including a proximal end, a distal end, an exterior surface and an interior surface defining an air receivable interior. The body having a plurality of segments of different cross sectional areas, and a non-circular cross sectional profile. The balloon is inflatable between a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration. The body is sufficiently inelastic so as to be substantially incapable of expanding beyond a pre-determined size and shape when in the inflated configuration. The segments include a first segment having a first cross sectional area and a second segment disposed distally of the first segment The second segment has a second cross sectional area larger than the first cross sectional area.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube is provided for insertion into and residence in a tympanic membrane of a mammal. The tympanostomy tube has a body including a first end portion, a second end portion and a central portion disposed between the first and second end portions. Additionally, an axially extending passageway is provided having a first open end and a second open end. The first end portion includes a relatively enlarged diameter radially extending flange disposed adjacent a first end of the first end portion, and a relatively reduced diameter portion. The second end portion includes at least first and second moveable legs having first ends coupled to the first end portion and second ends. The second ends include sharpened surfaces that are sufficiently sharpened to incise through the tympanic membrane during insertion of the tympanostomy tube in the tympanic membrane.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube for insertion into and residence in a tympanic membrane of a mammal, is disclosed. The tympanostomy tube includes a body including a first end portion, a second end portion, a central portion dispensed between the first and second end portions. An axially extending passageway has a first open end disposed adjacent the first end portion, and a second open end disposed adjacent the second end portion, and an axis extending between the first open end and second open end. The first end portion includes a relatively enlarged diameter, generally radially extending flange. The central portion includes a reduced diameter portion sized for extending through and residing in tissue of the tympanic membrane. The second end portion includes a relatively enlarged diameter second flange disposed adjacent the second end portion.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube for insertion into and residence in a tympanic membrane of a mammal, is disclosed. The tympanostomy tube includes a body including a first end portion, a second end portion, a central portion dispensed between the first and second end portions. An axially extending passageway has a first open end disposed adjacent the first end portion, and a second open end disposed adjacent the second end portion, and an axis extending between the first open end and second open end. The first end portion includes a relatively enlarged diameter, generally radially extending flange. The central portion includes a reduced diameter portion sized for extending through and residing in tissue of the tympanic membrane. The second end portion includes a relatively enlarged diameter second flange disposed adjacent the second end portion.

Abstract: The hearing aid apparatus includes a first hearing aid member and a second hearing aid member. The first hearing aid member is placeable on a patient's body, and includes a first transducer for receiving sounds that would be received by the patient's first ear and converting these received sounds into first transmittable signals. The second hearing aid is placeable on a patient's body adjacent to the patient's second ear, and includes a receiver for receiving the first transmittable electrical signals and a second transducer for converting the first transmittable electrical signals into sound signals configured for delivery to the patient's second ear.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube for insertion into and residence in a tympanic membrane of a mammal, is disclosed. The tympanostomy tube includes a body including a first end portion, a second end portion, a central portion dispensed between the first and second end portions. An axially extending passageway has a first open end disposed adjacent the first end portion, and a second open end disposed adjacent the second end portion, and an axis extending between the first open end and second open end. The first end portion includes a relatively enlarged diameter, generally radially extending flange. The central portion includes a reduced diameter portion sized for extending through and residing in tissue of the tympanic membrane. The second end portion includes a relatively enlarged diameter second flange disposed adjacent the second end portion.

Abstract: A contact lens is provided that is capable of being worn by a user. The lens includes a contact lens body having an eye-engaging surface placeable against a surface of an eye and an outer surface. Microphobic features are provided in the lens for eliminating microbes from the eye-engaging surface. Preferably, these microphobic features are chosen from a group consisting of electrical charge inducing agents, magnetic field inducing agents, chemical agents and textural features. In another embodiment of the present invention, a contact lens is provided that can include a reservoir portion capable of holding a performance enhancement agent for enhancing the performance of the lens. The performance enhancement agent can include such thins as sealant solutions, protective agents, therapeutic agents, anti-microbial agents, medications and reduced size transparent portions. In other embodiments, a wide variety of designs, materials and substances are disclosed for use with contact lenses.

Abstract: A stabilizer is disclosed for use with a cochlear implant receiver stimulator having a body portion and an electrode portion implanted subcutaneously adjacent to a body tissue. The stabilizer is provided for stabilizing the position of the implant receiver relative to the body tissue. The stabilizer has a tissue engaging portion for grippingly engaging the body tissue to fixedly position the stabilizer with respect to the body tissue. The stabilizer also includes a coupler portion for fixedly positioning the stabilizer with respect to the receiver stimulator. The tissue engaging portion and coupler portion cooperatively interact with the receiver stimulator and the body tissue to fix the relative position of the body tissue and receiver stimulator.

Abstract: An extra-cochlear hearing aid implant is characterized by a pad having a plurality of electrode prongs that extend therefrom and which are adapted to provide an electrical stimulus to hearing cells within the cochlea. The electrode pad is adapted to be placed onto endosteum overlying the cochlea in an “extended soft surgery” technique. The prongs are configured to pierce the endosteum and extend into the cochlea. In one form, the extra-cochlear hearing aid implant also includes hollow tubules that extend from the pad and which are adapted to supply and withdraw neurotrophic proteins and other materials in a fluid into and from the cochlea, and also to provide electrical stimulus to the hearing cells.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube for insertion into and residence in a tympanic membrane of a mammal, is disclosed. The tympanostomy tube includes a body including a first end portion, a second end portion, a central portion dispensed between the first and second end portions. An axially extending passageway has a first open end disposed adjacent the first end portion, and a second open end disposed adjacent the second end portion, and an axis extending between the first open end and second open end. The first end portion includes a relatively enlarged diameter, generally radially extending flange. The central portion includes a reduced diameter portion sized for extending through and residing in tissue of the tympanic membrane. The second end portion includes a relatively enlarged diameter second flange disposed adjacent the second end portion.