Abstract: A tympanostomy tube placement device has a stem with a needle having a tip configured to pierce a tympanic membrane. A retainer is on the needle and includes four fingers extending axially at a distance from said axis and at 90° circumferential separations in one example. The retainer is movable from a distal position at which it presses radially inwardly against the tube distal flange tabs to retain the distal flange in a folded position, to a proximal position at which the tube distal flange is free to spring out radially to a deployed position. The retainer fingers extend through tube proximal flange passageways and press the tube distal flange inwardly, while leaving a distally-facing face of the proximal flange exposed radially outwardly of the retainer. Hence, the proximal flange has its final deployed configuration throughout, and so can act as a physical stop member against the tympanic membrane and also provides visualisation for the surgeon because it extends radially outwardly of the stem.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube placement device has a needle with a tip, and a retainer at the needle tip. The retainer is within and retains by pulling radially inwardly a tympanostomy tube distal flange in a folded configuration extending distally. Movement of the needle tip in the proximal direction causes the adhesive bond to break and the distal flange releases to an unconstrained deployed position. Due to the axial folding of the distal flange its radial dimension does not affect deployment through the membrane.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube placement device has a stem with a needle having a tip configured to pierce a tympanic membrane. A retainer is on the needle and includes four fingers extending axially at a distance from said axis and at 90° circumferential separations in one example. The retainer is movable from a distal position at which it presses radially inwardly against the tube distal flange tabs to retain the distal flange in a folded position, to a proximal position at which the tube distal flange is free to spring out radially to a deployed position. The retainer fingers extend through tube proximal flange passageways and press the tube distal flange inwardly, while leaving a distally-facing face of the proximal flange exposed radially outwardly of the retainer. Hence, the proximal flange has its final deployed configuration throughout, and so can act as a physical stop member against the tympanic membrane and also provides visualisation for the surgeon because it extends radially outwardly of the stem.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube placement device has a needle with a tip, and a retainer at the needle tip. The retainer is within and retains by pulling radially inwardly a tympanostomy tube distal flange in a folded configuration extending distally. Movement of the needle tip in the proximal direction causes the adhesive bond to break and the distal flange releases to an unconstrained deployed position. Due to the axial folding of the distal flange its radial dimension does not affect deployment through the membrane.

Abstract: A therapeutic device (1) has a stem (3) having a distal end (60) configured for insertion in a patient's ear canal with latching by suction to the tympanic membrane so that there is no relative movement despite patient head movement. A needle (63) punctures the membrane after suction is applied by negative pressure via a lumen (66). The needle tip is located within a suction cup which grips the membrane. A hand-held control device (2) is coupled to the stem and has a user-actuated controller (8) for controlling application of negative pressure (7) to the suction lumen.

Abstract: A fluidic bridging tube (1), for bridging membranes in the human or animal body allowing the passage of fluid, has a proximal flange (2), an inter lumen connector (3) with a lumen (5) and a distal flange (4). The tube comprises a metal skeleton or scaffold structure (51) and a surrounding polymer which is softer than the scaffold structure. The scaffold structure (51) has a tubular mesh providing structural strength to the inter lumen connector. The tubular mesh has members (61) defining substantial rectangular mesh apertures, and distal crowns (64). At its proximal end the scaffold structure comprises spines (68) extending from a proximal tubular mesh rim (63). The spines provide structural strength to the proximal flange (2). In the preferred embodiment the tube is a tympanostomy tube. A method of manufacturing the tube comprises providing the scaffold structure and over-moulding the outer material to form the shape of the proximal flange, the inter lumen connector with a lumen, and the distal flange.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube placement device has a stem with a needle having a tip configured to pierce a tympanic membrane. A retainer is on the needle and includes four fingers extending axially at a distance from said axis and at 90° circumferential separations in one example. The retainer is movable from a distal position at which it presses radially inwardly against the tube distal flange tabs to retain the distal flange in a folded position, to a proximal position at which the tube distal flange is free to spring out radially to a deployed position. The retainer fingers extend through tube proximal flange passageways and press the tube distal flange inwardly, while leaving a distally-facing face of the proximal flange exposed radially outwardly of the retainer. Hence, the proximal flange has its final deployed configuration throughout, and so can act as a physical stop member against the tympanic membrane and also provides visualisation for the surgeon because it extends radially outwardly of the stem.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube applicator has a hand-held housing and a stem extending from the housing and having a shape arranged for engagement in the ear canal. A tympanostomy tube inserter has a user actuator, a rod having a tip to pierce a patient's tympanic membrane and to support a tympanostomy tube through the membrane where it is pierced. The inserter inserts a collapsed tympanostomy tube through the membrane and expands the tube in situ to provide a distal flange in the tympanostomy tube. A myrongotomy tip expands the tube to a final state having a distal flange as it is retracted.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube placement device has a needle with a tip, and a retainer at the needle tip. The retainer is within and retains by pulling radially inwardly a tympanostomy tube distal flange in a folded configuration extending distally. Movement of the needle tip in the proximal direction causes the adhesive bond to break and the distal flange releases to an unconstrained deployed position. Due to the axial folding of the distal flange its radial dimension does not affect deployment through the membrane.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube applicator has a hand-held housing and a stem extending from the housing and having a shape arranged for engagement in the ear canal. A tympanostomy tube inserter has a user actuator, a rod having a tip to pierce a patient's tympanic membrane and to support a tympanostomy tube through the membrane where it is pierced. The inserter inserts a collapsed tympanostomy tube through the membrane and expands the tube in situ to provide a distal flange in the tympanostomy tube. A myrongotomy tip expands the tube to a final state having a distal flange as it is retracted.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube applicator has a hand-held housing and a stem extending from the housing and having a shape arranged for engagement in the ear canal. A tympanostomy tube inserter has a user actuator, a rod having a tip to pierce a patient's tympanic membrane and to support a tympanostomy tube through the membrane where it is pierced. The inserter inserts a collapsed tympanostomy tube through the membrane and expands the tube in situ to provide a distal flange in the tympanostomy tube. A myrongotomy tip expands the tube to a final state having a distal flange as it is retracted.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail has a proximal part for engagement with a proximal bone fragment and a distal part for engagement with a distal bone fragment. A motion assembly interconnects the parts and allows limited axial relative motion of the proximal and distal parts. This limited axial motion provides micromotion and in some embodiments also dynamization. The nail may comprise a stem for fastening to one bone fragment and an insert within the stem for fastening to the other bone fragment, the insert being adapted to guide insertion of a bone screw through the stem and to prevent relative rotation of the distal and proximal bone fragments. The motion assembly may include spring bias and/or damping means between the parts, possibly including one or more Belleville washers.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube applicator has a hand-held housing and a stem extending from the housing and having a shape arranged for engagement in the ear canal. A tympanostomy tube inserter has a user actuator, a rod having a tip to pierce a patient's tympanic membrane and to support a tympanostomy tube through the membrane where it is pierced. The inserter inserts a collapsed tympanostomy tube through the membrane and expands the tube in situ to provide a distal flange in the tympanostomy tube. A myrongotomy tip expands the tube to a final state having a distal flange as it is retracted.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail has a proximal part for engagement with a proximal bone fragment and a distal part for engagement with a distal bone fragment. A motion assembly interconnects the parts and allows limited axial relative motion of the proximal and distal parts. This limited axial motion provides micromotion and in some embodiments also dynamisation. The nail may comprise a stem for fastening to one bone fragment and an insert within the stem for fastening to the other bone fragment, the insert being adapted to guide insertion of a bone screw through the stem and to prevent relative rotation of the distal and proximal bone fragments. The motion assembly may include spring bias and/or damping means between the parts, possibly including one or more Belleville washers.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail has a proximal part for engagement with a proximal bone fragment and a distal part for engagement with a distal bone fragment. A motion assembly interconnects the parts and allows limited axial relative motion of the proximal and distal parts. This limited axial motion provides micromotion and in some embodiments also dynamization. The nail may comprise a stem for fastening to one bone fragment and an insert within the stem for fastening to the other bone fragment, the insert being adapted to guide insertion of a bone screw through the stem and to prevent relative rotation of the distal and proximal bone fragments. The motion assembly may include spring bias and/or damping means between the parts, possibly including one or more Belleville washers.

Abstract: A lung ventilation device has a stem to fit in a trachea, having at least two ventilation passageways communicating with distal passageways configured to fit in the bronchi at the carina. There is a positioning balloon to engage the walls at the carina when inflated. The positioning balloon has a proximal annular portion surrounding a distal end of the stem, and a plurality of annular distal portions, each surrounding a distal passageway end. The distal balloon portions are extensions of the proximal balloon portion. There may be a frangible link between the distal passageways, to break to separate the distal passageways in situ for bronchi entry as the positioning balloon is inflated. There may be stylets extending along the stem and arranged to provide stiffness to the distal passageways during device advancement in the trachea.