Tube deploying system with visual indicator

A tube deploying system comprising:

• a ventilation tube having a medial end and a lateral end;
• a hollow cutting sheath having a distal cutting edge and a cutting sheath slot that extends from the distal cutting edge to a terminating end, the hollow sheath is configured to house the ventilation tube;
• a positioning rod having a distal end located within the hollow cutting sheath and being adjacent the ventilation tube;
• an actuation member coupled to the hollow cutting sheath;
• and
• a visual indicator including a base and a tab that protrudes from the base, wherein the base is located and fixed internal to the positioning rod and wherein the tab protrudes through the cutting sheath slot and outwardly from an outer surface of the hollow cutting sheath, the tab including a first end and a second end that is located distally from the base;
• and
• wherein the hollow cutting sheath is configured to pierce a membrane of a patient with the distal cutting edge and be manually advanced into the membrane up to the second end of the visual indicator;
• and
• wherein the actuation member is configured to retract the hollow cutting sheath from around the ventilation tube and along the visual indicator and the positioning rod to deploy and leave the ventilation tube in the membrane.

A method of deploying a ventilation tube comprising:

• providing a handle having a pull mechanism and a nose assembly coupled to the handle, the nose assembly including a hollow cutting sheath having a distal cutting edge and a cutting sheath slot that extends from the distal cutting edge to a terminating end, a positioning rod having a distal end located within the hollow cutting sheath, an actuation member coupling a pull mechanism to the hollow cutting sheath, a ventilation tube having a medial end and a lateral end and being housed in the hollow cutting sheath and a visual indicator that is coupled to the positioning rod and protrudes through the cutting sheath slot, outwardly from an outer surface of the hollow cutting sheath and distally to an end of the visual indicator that is a spaced distance from the distal cutting edge of the hollow cutting sheath;
• manually advancing the nose assembly in an orifice of a patient;
• piercing a membrane of the patient with the distal cutting edge of the hollow cutting sheath and inserting the hollow cutting sheath through the membrane for the spaced distance until the end of the visual indicator is adjacent the membrane;
• and
• manually moving the pull mechanism to retract the hollow cutting sheath from around the ventilation tube to deploy the ventilation tube and thereby leave the deployed ventilation tube in the membrane.