Patent ID: 6379323
Filing Date: 2002-04-30
Classification: A61F,A61L

Abstract:
A myringotomy tube insertable into an opening in a tympanic membrane to provide drainage of the middle ear through the external ear canal, the myringotomy tube comprising a shaft adapted for disposition in the opening of the tympanic membrane and having a passageway provided therein extending between first and second ends thereof for communicating the middle ear with the external ear canal when the shaft is inserted in the opening, wherein the passageway has an internal diameter that is at least 2.0 mm, the internal diameter being substantially constant from the first end to the second end, the myringotomy tube further including a first flange on the first end of the shaft and a second flange on the second end of the shaft, the myringotomy tube being sized such that the first flange and the second flange are disposed on opposite sides of the tympanic membrane when the shaft is disposed in the opening such that the first flange is extendable into the middle ear and the second flange is extendable into the external ear canal, and the myringotomy tube being further comprised of a bioerodable material that is dissolvable upon exposure to middle ear fluids, whereby the myringotomy tube does not have to be surgically removed.