# US 10,864,035 B2 · Eustachian tube modification

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- Number: US 10,864,035 B2
- Document ID: US10864035B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/449,322
- Filed: 2017-03-03
- Published: 2017-09-07
- Granted: 2020-12-15
- Earliest claimed: 2016-03-04
- Assignees: Aerin Medical Inc.
- Applicants: Aerin Medical, Inc.
- Inventors: Jerome Hester; Andrew Frazier; Gregory Ng; Scott J. Wolf
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10864035B2

## CPC

- A61B 18/1206: {Generators therefor}
- A61B 18/1485: {having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings}
- A61B 18/20: using laser
- A61B 17/24: for use in the oral cavity, larynx, bronchial passages or nose (for medical inspection of cavities or tubes in the body A61B1/00); Tongue scrapers
- A61B 18/0218: {with open-end cryogenic probe, e.g. for spraying fluid directly on tissue or via a tissue-contacting porous tip}
- A61B 2017/00092: {using thermocouples}
- A61B 2018/00005: {Cooling or heating of the probe or tissue immediately surrounding the probe}
- A61B 2018/00083: {low, i.e. electrically insulating}
- A61B 2018/0022: {Balloons}
- A61B 2018/00327: {Ear, nose or throat}
- A61B 2018/00565: {Bone}
- A61B 2018/00577: {Ablation}
- A61B 2018/00595: {Cauterization}
- A61B 2018/00642: {with feedback, i.e. closed loop control}
- A61B 2018/00821: {measured by a thermocouple}
- A61B 2018/00875: {Resistance or impedance}
- A61B 2018/046: {in liquid form}
- A61B 2018/1253: {monopolar}
- A61B 2018/126: {bipolar}
- A61B 2018/143: {multiple needles}
- A61B 2018/1467: {using more than two electrodes on a single probe}
- A61F 11/202: {Surgical middle-ear ventilation or drainage, e.g. permanent; Implants therefor}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)

## Abstract

Disclosed embodiments relate to devices, systems, and methods of shaping, shrinking, opening, dilating, stiffening, or otherwise modifying a Eustachian tube and its surrounding tissue in order to improve the Eustachian tube's function. For example, patients with blocked, closed, or hypertrophic Eustachian tubes may be able to achieve improved function including easier equalization of pressure between the inner ear and environment.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device for modifying a Eustachian tube, the device comprising:
a shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis;
a handle attached to the proximal end of the shaft;
a treatment element extending at an angle from the distal end of the shaft, relative to the longitudinal axis, the treatment element comprising;
a flat tissue treatment surface having an arcuate shape with an arc angle and comprising;
an inner edge having a first radius of curvature; and
an outer edge having a second radius of curvature that is larger than the first radius of curvature; and
a first arcuate row of electrodes disposed on the flat tissue treatment surface closer to the inner edge than the outer edge, such that the first arcuate row of electrodes faces an ostium of the Eustachian tube when positioned for treatment;
a second arcuate row of electrodes disposed on the flat tissue treatment surface closer to the outer edge than the inner edge, wherein the second arcuate row of electrodes is parallel with the first arcuate row of electrodes; and
a thermocouple disposed between the first arcuate row of electrodes and the second arcuate row of electrodes.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the shaft is an elongate, flexible shaft, sized and shaped to be inserted through a patient's nostril to reach the ostium of the Eustachian tube.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the electrodes of the first arcuate row and the electrodes of the second arcuate row comprise elongate, blunt-tipped, bipolar, radiofrequency electrodes extending out of the flat tissue treatment surface.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the angle of the flat treatment element relative to the shaft positions the flat tissue treatment surface is between 60 degrees and 80 degrees from parallel with the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the arc angle of the arcuate shape of the treatment element is between 102 degrees and 122 degrees.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the electrodes of the first arcuate row and the electrodes of the second arcuate row comprise elongate, bipolar, radiofrequency needle electrodes extending out of the flat tissue treatment surface.