Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for delivering a therapeutic substance, such as an anesthetic, to a tympanic membrane of a subject. Such systems can include an earset with a valve configured to control flow of a fluid, such as air, into and out of a reservoir. In some embodiments, systems, apparatus, and methods described herein can include additional valves and features for relieving negative pressure within the reservoir.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for sealing an ear canal for retaining a solution in the ear canal. Adhesive earplugs are provided through which the solution can be delivered, and which, following delivery, retain the fluid in the ear canal. The systems and methods may also be useful for delivering an anesthetizing solution to the ear canal of a human patient and for maintaining the solution therein for use with an iontophoresis system for anesthetizing the tympanic membrane.

Abstract: Visualization during medical procedures is provided using a visualization system comprising: a control device defining an upper surface and a lower surface; a display visible through the upper surface of the control device; a handle coupled to the lower surface and extending away from the lower surface; a knob coupled to the control device, the knob configured to rotate about a rotational axis; an imaging assembly mechanically coupled to the knob and communicatively coupled to the control device, the imaging assembly configured to rotate around the rotational axis based on rotation of the knob; and the control device configured to display an image on the display, the image captured by the imaging assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for anesthetizing a tympanic membrane of an ear. The systems are personalizable to ensure proper anesthetizing solution administration. The systems and methods may also be useful for administering a solution to the ear canal of a human patient and for maintaining the solution therein.

Abstract: Various systems and methods provide iontophoretic delivery of anesthesia at a patient's tympanic membrane. At least one example is a method including: performing iontophoresis within a first ear canal by driving, by a control unit, a DC signal to an electrode of a first iontophoresis device positioned within the first ear canal, the electrode at least partially submerged within an iontophoresis fluid within the first ear canal; measuring, by the control unit, a mixed capacitance associated with the electrode by driving a first AC signal having a first frequency to the electrode; and determining, based on a change in the mixed capacitance, that an air bubble is present in the iontophoresis fluid.

Abstract: An actuator for use in a surgical instrument, the actuator includes an upper portion configured to be actuated by one or more fingers, wherein the upper portion has an upper distal portion for operating the surgical instrument in a first mode of operation, and an upper proximal portion for operating the surgical instrument in a second mode of operation, and wherein the upper distal portion and the upper proximal portion have different respective tactile configurations for informing the user of the first and second modes of operation, respectively.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for anesthetizing a tympanic membrane of an ear. The systems are personalizable to ensure proper anesthetizing solution administration. The systems and methods may also be useful for administering a solution to the ear canal of a human patient and for maintaining the solution therein.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for delivering a therapeutic substance to a target area within or proximate to a nasal cavity of a subject, including a reservoir configured to contain the therapeutic substance and a delivery interface by which the therapeutic substance is delivered to the target area. In some embodiments, systems, apparatus, and methods described herein can deliver a therapeutic substance using iontophoresis and/or electroosmosis.

Abstract: Various systems and methods provide iontophoretic delivery of anesthesia at a patient's tympanic membrane. Some implementations provide channel switching enabling a single current sink to pull current through two electrodes in an alternating fashion based on clock pulses. The iontophoretic delivery of anesthesia may be driven by an AC modulated current. Some implementations provide for continuous flow of fresh iontophoresis fluid to the ear canal during iontophoresis. The fluid flows from a source reservoir into the cavity between the tympanic membrane and a plug, and then drains out of the cavity to a reservoir. An iontophoresis system may also detect capacitance between an anode electrode and an auxiliary electrode in a patient's ear canal, watching for reduced capacitance to indicate presence of a bubble in the iontophoresis fluid.

Abstract: An actuator for use in a surgical instrument, the actuator includes an upper portion configured to be actuated by one or more fingers, wherein the upper portion has an upper distal portion for operating the surgical instrument in a first mode of operation, and an upper proximal portion for operating the surgical instrument in a second mode of operation, and wherein the upper distal portion and the upper proximal portion have different respective tactile configurations for informing the user of the first and second modes of operation, respectively.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for transporting and delivering a therapeutic substance to an ear of a subject, including a tubular element (216) configured for deployment in a tympanic membrane (TM) and a fluid transport element (230). The fluid transport element can be configured to transport the therapeutic substance from a proximal side to a distal side of the tubular element. Systems, apparatus, and methods further can include a fluid dispenser including a reservoir configured to contain a therapeutic substance, and a tubular element defining a lumen in fluid communication with an outlet in which the lumen and the outlet are configured to deliver the therapeutic substance from the reservoir to a region proximal to the tympanic membrane. Systems, apparatus, and methods further can include an electrode device.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube delivery device comprises a shaft assembly, a pressure equalization tube, and a sensor. The shaft assembly comprises a cannula and a pusher operable to translate relative to the cannula. The pressure equalization tube is positioned within the shaft assembly. The pusher is operable to drive the pressure equalization tube out of the shaft assembly. The sensor is operable to detect a physical parameter associated with engagement between the distal end of the shaft assembly and a tympanic membrane. A controller may activate a feedback device to inform an operator that the distal end of the shaft assembly has achieved suitable apposition with the tympanic membrane, based on information from the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a rigid body, a flexible sealing element, a nozzle assembly, and an electrode. The rigid body defines a channel, a reservoir, and a vent path. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the channel. The vent path is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The reservoir is configured to provide spacing between the channel and the vent path. The sealing element is positioned distal to the rigid body. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle head and a post. The post extends distally through the channel of the rigid body. The nozzle head projects distally from a distal end of the post. The electrode is disposed within the channel of the rigid body. The reservoir extends laterally from a longitudinal axis defined by the electrode.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for delivering a therapeutic substance to the tympanic membrane of an ear of a subject, including a reservoir configured to contain the therapeutic substance and a delivery interface by which the therapeutic substance is delivered to the tympanic membrane.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a rigid body, a flexible sealing element, a nozzle assembly, and an electrode. The rigid body defines a channel, a reservoir, and a vent path. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the channel. The vent path is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The reservoir is configured to provide spacing between the channel and the vent path. The sealing element is positioned distal to the rigid body. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle head and a post. The post extends distally through the channel of the rigid body. The nozzle head projects distally from a distal end of the post. The electrode is disposed within the channel of the rigid body. The reservoir extends laterally from a longitudinal axis defined by the electrode.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for delivering a therapeutic substance, such as an anesthetic, to a tympanic membrane of a subject. Such systems can include an earset with a valve configured to control flow of a fluid, such as air, into and out of a reservoir. In some embodiments, systems, apparatus, and methods described herein can include additional valves and features for relieving negative pressure within the reservoir.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for providing visualization inside an ear of a subject before, during, or after an otologic procedure. An apparatus (100) includes a light source (140), a sensor (130), a processor (152, 170), and a display (154, 172, 972). The light source (140) can be configured to provide incident light to a target area (TM), and the sensor (130) can be configured to capture reflected light from the target area (TM) to generate image data based on the reflected light. The processor (152, 170) can process the image data to produce an image of the target area (TM), and the display (154, 172, 972) can display the image of the target area (TM).

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for delivering a therapeutic substance to a target area within or proximate to a nasal cavity of a subject, including a reservoir configured to contain the therapeutic substance and a delivery interface by which the therapeutic substance is delivered to the target area. In some embodiments, systems, apparatus, and methods described herein can deliver a therapeutic substance using iontophoresis and/or electroosmosis.

Abstract: A system and method for use in iontophoretic anesthesia of a tympanic membrane are disclosed. The system generally includes an earplug and an electrode device. The earplug includes at least one sealing member for sealing the earplug in an ear canal. The sealing member includes microholes which vent fluid above a certain pressure threshold. A headset may connect the earplug to a second earplug. The method involves using the system on a human or animal subject.

Abstract: 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.