Drain for the eardrum and apparatus for introducing the same
OwnerTaichiro Akiyamainventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A drain for the eardrum is formed of a high polymer with the properties of absorbency and swelling. An apparatus for inserting the drain for the eardrum includes a needle with a sharp tip, a tube sheathing the needle and a trigger to project the sharp end of the needle from the end of the tube. When the trigger is drawn, the sharp tip of the needle is extended from the end of the tube and is then inserted into the drain, and used to bore a hole through the eardrum and to insert the drain into the hole.
Claims6
A drain for the eardrum comprising a drain element shaped and dimensioned for insertion through a correspondingly dimensioned hole bored in the eardrum to serve as a fluid drain therethrough;
- said element being formed of a polymeric material capable of absorbing a portion of said fluid and thereby swelling after insertion in the eardrum, the swelling of the element securely holding the element in place during use of the drain.
A method of inserting a drain in the eardrum comprising the steps of:
- providing a hollow drain element of polymeric material having properties of absorbency and swelling and comprising a main portion and an enlarged ancillary portion at one end thereof;
- extending a needle from a protective tube therefor and inserting it through said drain element in the direction from said ancillary portion to said main portion;
- passing said needle through said eardrum;
- pressing on said tube to push said element along said needle until said main portion but not said ancillary portion has passed through said eardrum;
- withdrawing said needle into said tube;
- and removing said tube and needle from said drain leaving said drain in position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.