Systems and methods of performing transcanal ear surgery

A method for providing a flooded environment within an ear during a surgical procedure through an ear canal with the ear extending from a head of a patient and including an auricle defining an opening into the ear canal, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a reservoir system comprising a housing, an access opening within the housing, and an irrigation port within the housing and in fluid communication with an irrigation pump and a fluid source;
• coupling the reservoir system to the head of the patient to at least partially surround the auricle and define a fluid reservoir volume with the access opening in communication with the fluid reservoir volume;
• operating the irrigation pump to direct fluid from the fluid source through the irrigation port to within the ear canal such that a volume of fluid within the ear canal and above the auricle of the ear provides a flooded environment within the ear canal and fluid reservoir volume wherein the flooded environment is open to ambient environment;
• sensing a level of the fluid within the fluid reservoir volume with one or more sensors coupled to the housing, wherein the level of fluid is defined by a location of a surface of the volume of fluid;
• transmitting a fluid level signal based on the level of fluid within the fluid reservoir volume sensed by the one or more sensors to a controller in communication with the irrigation pump;
• maintaining the volume of the fluid within the fluid reservoir volume by adjusting a flow rate of the fluid provided by the irrigation pump with the controller based on the fluid level signal;
• directing a cutting instrument through the access opening within the housing;
• and
• operating the cutting instrument to resect tissue within the ear in the flooded environment.