Biodegradable silk ear tubes
AssigneesTufts University, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, The General Hospital Corporation
InventorsDavid Kaplan, Michael Whalen, Christopher Hartnick
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Abstract
In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods for making resorbable ear tubes including the steps of providing a silk fibroin solution, and forming a silk ear tube from the silk fibroin solution, wherein the silk ear tube is less than 2 mm in length and has an outer diameter of less than 1.5 mm, and wherein the silk ear tube is resorbable. In some embodiments, the present invention also provides methods for treating otitis media including the step of introducing a silk ear tube into the ear canal of a subject, wherein the silk ear tube is less than 2 mm in length and has an outer diameter of less than 1.5 mm, and wherein the silk ear tube is resorbed by the subject.
Claims17
A resorbable silk ear tube comprising:
- a body made from silk fibroin for placement within an ear canal of a subject, the body provided with a compressive modulus from about 482 MPa to about 2170 MPa, wherein the compressive modulus is suitable for use as an ear tube in a human subject;
- a length of at least about 0.4 mm with an outer diameter of at least 0.08 mm;
- and
- a lumen extending along the body.
A resorbable silk ear tube comprising:
- a body made from silk fibroin for placement within an ear canal of a subject, wherein the body has a compressive modulus from about 624 MPa to about 717 MPa;
- a length of at least about 0.4 mm with an outer diameter of at least 0.08 mm;
- and
- a lumen extending along the body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.