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.

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: A tympanostomy tube delivery device comprises a shaft assembly, a pressure equalization tube, and a trigger assembly. 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 trigger assembly includes a pair of pushbuttons and a linkage. The pushbuttons are secured to the device via living hinges and are selectively pivotable. The linkage is configured to engage the delivery device to thereby selectively prevent actuation of the delivery device. The pivoting of one or both the pushbuttons is configured cause the linkage to collapse so as to disengage the delivery device and thereby actuate the delivery device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for automatically forming an incision in a tympanic membrane of an ear and placing a tympanic membrane pressure equalization tube into the incision. The systems include a housing with a shaft extending therefrom. A mechanism is disposed within the housing. A distal end of the shaft is placed against a tympanic membrane, and the mechanism is triggered to causes the tympanic membrane to be automatically incised and dilated and a tympanic membrane pressure equalization tube to be placed in the dilated incision.

Abstract: An instrument for treating a sinus cavity includes a cutter member, a rotatable member, and a fluid passage. The cutter member has a lumen extending therealong, and the rotatable member is received within the lumen. The rotatable member has a helical blade projecting from a distal end portion. The cutter member is configured to translate relative to the rotatable member. Thereby, the cutter member and the rotatable blade are configured to form an opening into the sinus cavity. The fluid passage extends through the cutter member from an inlet to an outlet. The outlet is positioned proximal to the helical blade such that the outlet is configured to fluidly communicate with the sinus cavity. The inlet is configured to receive at least one of a fluid and a vacuum in order to communicate the respective fluid or vacuum to the outlet for irrigating or suctioning the sinus cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a handle assembly, a guide tube, and a wire. The handle assembly includes a body and an actuator. The guide tube extends distally from the handle assembly and includes a distal end. The wire is slidably disposed in the guide tube. The wire has a distal end including a sensor. The sensor is configured to cooperate with a navigation system to generate a map of anatomical structures within a patient. The wire is coupled with the actuator. The actuator is movable relative to the body to move the wire relative to the guide tube.

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: A method includes receiving image data, receiving surgical procedure data, and generating an operation plan. The image data is associated with anatomical structures in a nasal cavity of a patient. The image data and the surgical procedure data are received through a computing system. The act of generating an operation plan includes identifying a path for a surgical instrument in accordance with the image data and in accordance with the surgical procedure data. The act of generating the operation plan is performed through a computing system. The act of generating an operation plan further includes generating one or more instructional images depicting the identified path for the surgical instrument in a depiction of anatomical structures in the nasal cavity of the patient.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for delivering a therapeutic substance to an ear of a subject, including a reservoir configured to contain the therapeutic substance and an outlet configured to transport the therapeutic substance from the reservoir to a lumen of a tympanostomy tube disposed within a tympanic membrane bordering the tympanic cavity and/or the tympanic cavity via the lumen of the tympanostomy tube, such that the therapeutic substance can be delivered to the tympanic cavity and/or a round window to an inner ear bordering the tympanic cavity.

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: An apparatus includes a handle assembly, a guide tube, and a wire. The handle assembly includes a body and an actuator. The guide tube extends distally from the handle assembly and includes a distal end. The wire is slidably disposed in the guide tube. The wire has a distal end including a sensor. The sensor is configured to cooperate with a navigation system to generate a map of anatomical structures within a patient. The wire is coupled with the actuator. The actuator is movable relative to the body to move the wire relative to the guide tube.

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: 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: 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: Systems and methods are described for administering a solution to a tympanic membrane of an ear canal of a subject. In some embodiments, the system includes a fluid delivery channel with a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen defined therebetween. The proximal end can include at least one of a valve and Luer connector for selectively establishing fluid communication between a solution source and the lumen of the fluid delivery channel. The distal end can include an atraumatic tip defining a plurality of spray holes for providing fluid communication between the lumen and the ear canal. The atraumatic tip can be capable of being inserted into the ear canal and positioned near the tympanic membrane with the plurality of spray holes substantially facing the tympanic membrane to fill the ear canal with the solution from a portion near the tympanic membrane out toward an outer ear portion.

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.