Patent ID: 6110196
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
Apparatus for being held by the human hand for treating the tympanic membrane accessible through the external canal of the ear by the use of radio frequency energy from a radio frequency source comprising an elongate probe having proximal and distal extremities, the proximal extremity being sized to be grasped by a human hand and the elongate probe having a length so that the distal extremity can be held in close proximity to the tympanic membrane while the proximal extremity is being held by the human hand, a delivery electrode in the form of a loop lying in a plane carried by the distal extremity of the elongate probe, conductive means carried by the elongate probe for conducting radio frequency energy to said delivery electrode and a dispersive member carried by said delivery electrode for dispersing the radio frequency energy from the delivery electrode, said delivery electrode and the dispersive member carried thereby and the distal extremity of the elongate probe being sized so that the delivery electrode and its dispersive member can be delivered through the external canal of the ear to come into engagement with the tympanic membrane whereby radio frequency energy can be supplied to the tympanic membrane to cause heating of the tympanic membrane to cause tightening of said tympanic membrane.