Multi-functional inner ear treatment and diagnostic system

A treatment apparatus for delivering therapeutic agents into the inner ear of a human subject comprising:

• a reservoir portion comprising an exterior wall and an internal cavity therein surrounded by said wall;
• a tubular first stem portion comprising an open first end, a second end, and a passageway extending continuously through said first stem portion, said second end of said first stem portion being connected to said reservoir portion so that said passageway through said first stem portion is in fluid communication with said internal cavity in said reservoir portion;
• a tubular second stem portion comprising an open first end, a second end, and a passageway extending continuously through said second stem portion, said second end of said second stem portion being connected to said reservoir portion so that said passageway through said second stem portion is in fluid communication with said internal cavity in said reservoir portion;
• and
• electrical potential transmission means fixedly secured to said apparatus for transmitting electrical potentials into and out of said inner ear.

A method for delivering therapeutic agents to the inner ear of a human subject through the external auditory canal and middle ear thereof comprising the steps of:

• providing a treatment apparatus comprising:
• a reservoir portion comprising an exterior wall and an internal cavity therein surrounded by said wall, said internal cavity comprising a supply of liquid therapeutic agents therein;
• a tubular first stem portion comprising an open first end, a second end, and a passageway extending continuously through said first stem portion, said second end of said first stem portion being connected to said reservoir portion so that said passageway through said first stem portion is in fluid communication with said internal cavity in said reservoir portion;
• and
• a tubular second stem portion comprising an open first end, a second end, and a passageway extending continuously through said second stem portion, said second end of said second stem portion being connected to said reservoir portion so that said passageway through said second stem portion is in fluid communication with said internal cavity in said reservoir portion;
• forming an access port in said ear between said middle ear and said inner ear so that access to said inner ear from said middle ear may be achieved;
• inserting said reservoir portion of said apparatus into said middle ear;
• positioning said first end of said second stem portion within said external auditory canal at a position remotely spaced from said middle ear;
• and
• placing said first end of said first stem portion through said access port and within said inner ear so that said first end of said first stem portion is against and in direct contact with tissues of said inner ear to be treated by said apparatus, said liquid therapeutic agents within said reservoir portion being delivered from said internal cavity through said first stem portion to said tissues of said inner ear during said direct contact between said first end of said first stem portion and said tissues of said inner ear.

A method for delivering therapeutic agents to the inner ear of a human subject through the external auditory canal and middle ear thereof comprising the steps of:

• providing a treatment apparatus comprising:
• a reservoir portion comprising an exterior wall and an internal cavity therein surrounded by said wall, said internal cavity comprising a supply of liquid therapeutic agents therein;
• a tubular first stem portion comprising an open first end, a second end, and a passageway extending continuously through said first stem portion, said second end of said first stem portion being connected to said reservoir portion so that said passageway through said first stem portion is in fluid communication with said internal cavity in said reservoir portion;
• a tubular second stem portion comprising an open first end, a second end, and a passageway extending continuously through said second stem portion, said second end of said second[stem portion being connected to said reservoir portion so that said passageway through said second stem portion is in fluid communication with said internal cavity in said reservoir portion;
• and
• electrical potential transmission means fixedly secured to said apparatus for transmitting electrical potentials into and out of said inner ear, said electrical potential transmission means comprising an elongate conductive member, said conductive member comprising a proximal end and a distal end;
• forming an access port in said ear between said middle ear and said inner ear so that access to said inner ear from said middle ear may be achieved;
• inserting said reservoir portion of said apparatus into said middle ear;
• positioning said first end of said second stem portion within said external auditory canal at a position remotely spaced from said middle ear;.
• placing said first end of said first stem portion through said access port and within said inner ear so that said first end of said first stem portion is against and in direct contact with tissues of said inner ear to be treated by said apparatus, said liquid therapeutic agents within said reservoir portion being delivered from said internal cavity through said first stem portion to said tissues of said inner ear during said direct contact between said first end of said first stem portion and said tissues of said inner ear;
• and
• placing said proximal end of said conductive member in direct contact with tissues from at least one of said middle ear and said inner ear.