US 6,045,528 AGranted

Inner ear fluid transfer and diagnostic system

AssigneeIntraEar, Inc.

InventorsIrving K. Arenberg, Michael H. Arenberg

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Abstract

An apparatus for transferring fluids into and out of the inner ear through the round window membrane. The apparatus includes a cover member sized for placement over the round window niche. Fluid delivery and fluid extraction conduits are provided which are operatively connected to the cover member so that fluids can pass therethrough. The cover member is positioned over the niche to create a fluid-recieving zone between the cover member and the round window membrane. As a result, fluids can be delivered into or withdrawn from the zone. Alternatively, a single conduit may be used for fluid delivery and extraction. Another variation uses a compressible cover member positioned within the round window niche to form a fluid-receiving zone between the cover member and the round window membrane. The same type of conduit system described above is attached to the compressible cover member.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A method for moving fluid materials through the round window niche and round window membrane of a living subject in order to treat the inner ear thereof, said round window niche comprising an internal cavity therein and a main opening leading into said internal cavity, said method comprising:

providing a medical treatment apparatus comprising:
a cover member sized for placement over said main opening of said round window niche of said subject so that said cover member seals said round window niche in order to form a sealed fluid-receiving zone within said round window niche between said cover member and said round window membrane;
a fluid delivery conduit comprising a first end, a second end, and an internal passageway extending continuously through said fluid delivery conduit from said first end to said second end, said fluid delivery conduit being operatively connected to said cover member so that said fluid delivery conduit can deliver at least one therapeutic fluid composition through said cover member to said fluid-receiving zone during use of said treatment apparatus;
and
a fluid extraction conduit comprising a first end, a second end, and an internal passageway extending continuously through said fluid extraction conduit from said first end of said fluid extraction conduit to said second end of said fluid extraction conduit, said fluid extraction conduit being operatively connected to said cover member so that said fluid extraction conduit can remove residual fluid materials from said fluid-receiving zone during use of said treatment apparatus;
inserting said cover member of said treatment apparatus into said middle ear;
positioning said cover member over said main opening of said round window niche in order to seal said main opening so that said sealed fluid-receiving zone is created within said round window niche between said cover member and said round window membrane;
delivering said therapeutic fluid composition into and through said internal passageway of said fluid delivery conduit so that said therapeutic fluid composition passes through said cover member, enters said fluid-receiving zone, and comes in contact with said round window membrane, said therapeutic fluid composition thereafter passing through said round window membrane and into said inner ear for treatment thereof;
and
withdrawing any of said residual fluid materials which are present within said fluid-receiving zone through said internal passageway of said fluid extraction conduit so that said residual fluid materials can be removed from said subject.

7 more elements

providing a medical treatment apparatus comprising:
a cover member sized for placement over said main opening of said round window niche so that said cover member seals said round window niche in order to form a sealed fluid-receiving zone within said round window niche between said cover member and said round window membrane;
and
a fluid transfer conduit comprising a first end, a second end, and an internal passageway extending continuously through said fluid transfer conduit from said first end to said second end, said fluid transfer conduit being operatively connected to said cover member so that said fluid transfer conduit can deliver at least one therapeutic fluid composition through said cover member to said fluid-receiving zone during use of said apparatus;
inserting said cover member of said treatment apparatus into said middle ear;
positioning said cover member over said main opening of said round window niche in order to seal said main opening so that said fluid-receiving zone is created within said round window niche between said cover member and said round window membrane;
and
delivering said therapeutic fluid composition into and through said internal passageway of said fluid transfer conduit so that said therapeutic fluid composition passes through said cover member, enters said fluid-receiving zone, and comes in contact with said round window membrane, said therapeutic fluid composition thereafter passing through said round window membrane and into said inner ear for treatment thereof.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.