Patent ID: 7351246
Filing Date: 2008-04-01
Classification: A61F,A61M,A61N

Abstract:
1. An intra-tympanic apparatus comprising: a needle having a sharpened end adapted to pierce the tympanic membrane of an ear and having an opposite end, the needle having at least two longitudinal bores, each in fluid communication with a fluid outlet proximate to the sharpened end and each in fluid communication with a fluid inlet proximate to the opposite end, the fluid outlet being laterally offset from a relatively central longitudinal axis of at least one longitudinal bore with which the fluid outlet is in fluid communication and configured to deliver relative to a central longitudinal axis of the needle a relatively unidirectional angular fluid stream into a middle ear; at least two flexible lumens each in fluid communication with the fluid inlet of one of the longitudinal bores of the needle; means for delivering a controllable amount of a fluid into the middle ear through at least one of the flexible lumens and the needle; and means for removing fluids from the middle ear through the needle.