Tympanic ventilation tube, applicator, and related technique

A device for releasing fluid from the middle ear, and an inserter therefor, comprising:

• a tubular member;
• a first flange connected to one end of said tubular member;
• a second flange connected to an opposite end of said tubular member said tubular member having a cutting edge extending laterally from said opposite end;
• and
• an elongate applicator rod releasably coupled to said tubular member, said elongate applicator rod being made of a material having a limited malleability enabling said rod to be manually reconfigured to facilitate an insertion procedure, said cutting edge facilitating the incising of the tympanic membrane during the insertion of said device with said applicator rod.

A tympanic ventilation tube for releasing fluid from the middle ear, comprising:

• a tubular member;
• a first flange connected to a proximal end of said tubular member;
• a second flange connected to a distal end of said tubular member;
• and
• cutting means on said tubular member extending laterally from said distal end thereof said cutting means facilitating the incising of the tympanic membrane during the insertion of the ventilation tube, wherein said first flange and said second flange seat against opposite sides of the membrane following insertion.

A method for releasing fluid from the middle ear, comprising the steps of:

• providing a tympanic ventilation tube having a first flange at one end and a second flange at an opposite end, said first flange being provided with a cutting edge;
• pressing said cutting edge against a tympanic membrane so as to form a perforation in said membrane;
• and
• moving said first flange through said perforation, while maintaining said second flange on an outer side of said tympanic membrane, thereby seating said tube in said tympanic membrane.