Tympanostomy tube delivery device with rotatable flexible shaft

An apparatus comprising:

• (a) a shaft assembly, wherein the shaft assembly comprises a plurality of coaxially arranged shafts and a tympanostomy tube;
• (b) a handpiece body, wherein the shaft assembly extends distally from the handpiece body, wherein at least a portion of the shaft assembly is rotatable relative to the handpiece body;
• and
• (c) a drive assembly operable to drive the shafts of the shaft assembly in a predetermined sequence to deploy the tympanostomy tube.

An apparatus comprising:

• (a) a shaft assembly, wherein the shaft assembly comprises a plurality of coaxially arranged shafts and a flexible portion, wherein one of the shafts includes a piercing element, wherein a distal end of the shaft assembly is configured to fit in an ear canal of a patient;
• (b) a handpiece body, wherein the shaft assembly extends distally from the handpiece body;
• and
• (c) a drive assembly operable to drive the shafts of the shaft assembly in a predetermined sequence to pierce a tympanic membrane with the piercing element;
• wherein the shaft assembly is configured to bend at the flexible portion.