Patent ID: 6440102
Filing Date: 2002-08-27
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61N

Abstract:
An inner ear fluid transfer and diagnostic catheter for transferring fluid materials into or out of an ear of a living subject comprising:a fluid transfer conduit comprising a first end, a second end, and an internal passageway extending through said fluid transfer conduit from said first end to said second end, which fluid transfer conduit permits a fluid to be transferred into or out of an ear; and an inflatable bladder member connected to said fluid transfer conduit at a position thereon which does not block fluid flow through said fluid transfer conduit, said bladder member being sized for placement of at least a portion thereof within a round window niche of an ear of a subject, wherein said bladder member, when inflated, engages an internal wall of said round window niche thereby maintaining said bladder member at least partially within said round window niche.