Tympanostomy tube placement device and method for loading a tube thereon

A tympanostomy tube placement system comprising:

• a tympanostomy tube placement device comprising a stem configured to be connected to a deployment mechanism;
• a needle having a tip configured to pierce a tympanic membrane, the needle having a longitudinal axis;
• and
• a retainer comprising a plurality of fingers extending axially at a distance from said longitudinal axis;
• and
• a tympanostomy tube comprising a proximal flange, an inter-flange connector with a lumen, and a distal flange,
• wherein the proximal flange comprises a plurality of axial passageways, and the distal flange comprises a plurality of tabs configured to be folded radially inwardly to a deployment position and to be released to spring out radially to a deployed position;
• wherein the retainer fingers extend through the proximal flange passageways and press the distal flange inwardly into the deployment position;
• and
• wherein at least one of the plurality of tabs has a radial part extending in a direction which has a primarily radial component and a guide part extending in a direction which has a primarily axial component when the distal flange is relaxed in the deployed position, and the guide part is arranged to form a tapered configuration narrowing in the distal direction when the distal flange is pressed radially inwardly in the deployment position.