A TYMPANIC MEMBRANE THERAPEUTIC DEVICE

A therapeutic device (1) has a stem (3) having a distal end (60) configured for insertion in a patient's ear canal with latching by suction to the tympanic membrane so that there is no relative movement despite patient head movement. A needle (63) punctures the membrane after suction is applied by negative pressure via a lumen (66). The needle tip is located within a suction cup which grips the membrane. A hand-held control device (2) is coupled to the stem and has a user-actuated controller (8) for controlling application of negative pressure (7) to the suction lumen.

INTRODUCTION

The invention relates to therapy involving the tympanic membrane or “ear drum” of a patient. The primary field of the invention is the intratympanic delivery of drugs to the middle ear. Other fields of the invention include, but are not limited to, deployment of a tympanostomy tube (or “grommet”) or aspiration of fluid from the middle ear.

The ear is subject to a variety of conditions or diseases for which the therapeutic delivery of drug to the middle ear is desirable. An example is Meniere's disease, a chronic condition characterized by acute vertigo attacks, tinnitus, fluctuating hearing loss and a feeling of aural fullness. Another example is tinnitus, which is often described as a ringing in the ear but can also sound like roaring, clicking, hissing or buzzing. People with severe tinnitus may have trouble hearing, working and sleeping. Another example is Otitis Media, frequently giving rise to a need for antibiotics.

The ear is especially sensitive to invasive therapy involving the tympanic membrane due to it being so thin and prone to damage, especially due to a patient moving his or her head during treatment. This problem is particularly acute where the patient is a child.

An object of the invention is to achieve effective, safe and repeatable therapy, with or without delivery of a fluid or device, at or near the tympanic membrane.

SUMMARY STATEMENTS

We describe a therapeutic device as set out in the appended claims.

Also, we describe a therapeutic device comprising:a stem having a distal end configured for insertion in a patient's ear canal, the stem comprising:a lumen for application of suction, and having at its proximal end a suction source or a coupler for connection to a suction source,a needle having a tip configured for piercing a tympanic membrane, and a suction cup within which the needle tip is located, said suction cup being linked with said lumen and being configured for engaging a tympanic membrane and gripping by suction the membrane.

Preferably, the device further comprises a hand-held control device for coupling to the stem and having a user-actuated controller for controlling application of negative pressure to the suction lumen. Preferably, the needle is mounted at an acute angle to a longitudinal axis of the stem.

Preferably, the stem distal tip comprises a hub supporting the suction cup and the needle. Preferably, the hub includes a conduit to receive the lumen and is surrounded by a flexible sleeve which retains the hub in place. Preferably, the flexible sleeve integrally forms the suction cup. Preferably, the flexible sleeve is of silicone (or similar flexible materials) over-moulded construction.

Preferably, the hand-held control device comprises a housing for coupling to the stem, and a handle with trigger buttons for user actuation. Preferably, the hand-held control device comprises a coupler for connection to a suction source.

Preferably, the stem comprises a lumen linked with the needle for delivery of a therapeutic fluid, said lumen having a coupler at its proximal end for connection to a fluid source, the needle being configured for piercing the tympanic membrane and for delivering a therapeutic fluid via said needle.

Preferably, the device comprises a housing which comprises a syringe pusher for mounting of a syringe with a therapeutic fluid in fluid communication with the delivery lumen.

In one example, the needle and the suction cup are movable relative to each other for piercing of the tympanic membrane and withdrawal from the tympanic membrane.

Preferably, the needle is fixed, and the suction cup is retractable relative to the needle in a manner to ensure piercing by the needle. Preferably, the suction cup is mounted on a sleeve which is retractable relative to the needle. Preferably, the sleeve includes tensioning cables which are operatively connectable to a controller.

Preferably, the needle is arranged for delivery of a tympanostomy tube across a membrane, and retraction to leave the tube in place deployed in the membrane.

In various examples we describe a therapeutic delivery device which in use latches on to the tympanic membrane and punctures it for therapeutic purposes so that the tip of a stem does not move relative to the membrane despite any patient head movement. Once there is such latching an operation is performed, in one example being delivery of a drug through the membrane and in another being deployment of a tympanostomy tube.

Advantageously, a suction action ensures that a needle is optimally located and does not move during performance of the operation such as drug delivery or tympanostomy tube placement.

Referring toFIG.1, a device1for delivery of a treatment fluid into the ear is disclosed. The device1comprises a hand-held housing2and a stem3of flexible construction. This stem is long and flexible such that it has a low “pushability” and will accommodate unanticipated patient movement. That is, if the stem is introduced to the ear canal and the physician pushes it forward such that the distal tip contacts the tympanic membrane (or any solid structure) the stem will collapse under the pushing force due to the flexible nature of the shaft. Furthermore, if the distal tip attaches to the patient's tympanic membrane, the stem will accommodate any unintended movement of the patient.

The housing2has a handle5and a main body6containing a control mechanism. The handle5has a coupler7to an external suction source and control buttons8. Within the housing2there is a pressure control valve to prevent excess pressure being applied through the device1to the ear canal in use even if a mistake is made in the pressure delivered to the coupler7.

The housing main body6comprises a syringe pusher10with a spring-loaded push member11arranged to push a piston12of a syringe13.

The buttons8include a lower button15for application of suction when an external source is coupled, and an upper button16for drug delivery when a syringe has been inserted.

Referring toFIGS.2to5the stem3has a main section50, a distal tip60and a proximal coupler80with a luer connector which connects to the housing6during manufacture assembly.

The tip60has a suction cup61of approximately 3 mm diameter and an angle of approximately 45° between the cup and the side walls on the distal side (stem longitudinal axis), and this angle is generally preferably in the range of 20° and 90°, and an outer lining62or tubular structure of the stem leading to the suction cup61. The angle of the suction cup61matches the acute angle which the ear drum would sit relative to the ear canal. This angle can be particularly acute in paediatric patients.

Within the stem there is a delivery lumen65for delivery of a therapeutic fluid, and also a suction lumen66. The needle63forms a continuation of the delivery lumen65, being embedded at its proximal end in a plastics hub67.

The hub67forms a conduit68which is a distal continuation of the suction lumen66, and the conduit68terminates distally in a mouth69which is splayed out in the suction cup61.

As is shown most clearly inFIG.5, in this example, the outer lining62comprises a flexible silicone (medical grade) over-mould or similar material, which envelopes an outer multi-lumen liner70of the stem and the hub67, and itself forms the suction cup61in an integral manner.

As shown inFIG.5there is a gap indicated by A between the end of the needle and a plane formed by a distal rim of the cup61. Hence, the needle63does not protrude beyond the outer edge of the suction cup61, ensuring that the needle cannot inadvertently puncture important structures during placement or removal of the device. As a result, the needle will only puncture when suction is applied—otherwise it is effectively sheathed within the suction cup.

The tubular liner70is of flexible silicone material (or in other examples a suitable medical-grade flexible material such as a thermoplastic elastomer, “TPE”) to ensure that there is minimal risk of injury upon insertion of the stem distal end60in the ear canal. However, the silicone over-mould62is especially flexible, and effectively contains the hub67, the needle63, and the lumen65and66distal ends in a manner which ensures optimum support to these parts and flexibility in use.

Use of Device1

The physician connects the coupler7to an external suction source. The syringe pusher10is pulled back (spring loaded and button activated) and a standard syringe is installed into the handpiece housing6via the standard luer connection on the handpiece, connection80. The drug line is purged prior to use by pressing the upper button16. The distal end60is placed in a patients' ear canal,—the tube50(double lumen) being so flexible that it cannot damage the ear drum or structures of the ear (ossicular chain) due to pushing of the flexible stem3, this stem will collapse under this pushing force. The physician visualises the depth or location in which they are trying to deliver the drug to the tympanic membrane, preferably the anterior inferior quadrant, however they may not need to be specific as to where the distal tip60suctions onto the tympanic membrane due to the flexible nature of the tip60and short depth of penetration of the needle63. Once the suction cup61is at the ear drum the surgeon pushes the lower button15to apply suction at the tip (very low negative pressure) to grip the tympanic membrane. The suction cup61latches onto the ear drum. During the latch, the needle63punctures the thin membrane that is the ear drum (ear drum thickness: 0.05 mm to 0.20 mm typically). This method of puncture will ensure that the needle63only punctures to a set depth and this depth will not be excessive that it could possibly contact important structures behind the tympanic membrane such as the ossicular chain or the middle ear wall which contains the facial nerve. The negative suction pressure is such that the device tip60latches and punctures the tympanic membrane, however, if the device latches to other structures such as the ear canal wall or the ossicular chain there would be insufficient suction force to penetrate these more rigid structures.

Once latched onto and the tympanic membrane is punctured the surgeon presses the upper button16to administer a drug. Once complete the physician releases the suction button16which opens the suction line to atmospheric pressure (or positive pressure) to unlatch the suction cup. The stem3is removed from the patient's ear canal.

Referring toFIGS.6to8an alternative device,200, comprises a hand-held controller201and a stem202with a distal tip203. The controller201comprises a handle205with a coupler220to a suction source, a trigger button207for application of suction, and a trigger button208for drug delivery. Additionally, there is a trigger button209for user-activated manipulation of the tip203, as described in more detail below. The controller201also comprises a syringe pusher220, as described for the device1.

As shown best inFIGS.7and8the stem202comprises a suction channel or lumen250terminating in a mouth251within a suction cup252. A needle260extends parallel to the stem longitudinal axis, and continues proximally as a lumen which is more rigid than the surrounding parts of the stem, for the full length of the stem back proximally to the controller201. The needle is fixed in position, not being movable. The needle has a tip261configured for piercing the tympanic membrane. In this example the length of the needle and tube which continues proximally from the needle is 300 mm, in general being long enough for the necessary rigidity for piercing but not long enough to provide too much pushing strength.

The stem202comprises a tubular structure265of flexible medical grade silicone material (or other suitable flexible material such as TPE), which terminates distally as the suction cup252. There are a number of tensioning cables266and267extending longitudinally through the structure265, terminating adjacent the suction cup252.

Advantageously, there is a simultaneous action of gripping the tympanic membrane without risk of damage, while delivering a drug through the needle63to the distal side of the membrane. The suction action ensures that the needle is optimally located and does not move during drug delivery.

Other advantages are the user can visualise placement of the suction cup252to ensure correct location and the trigger209can be pushed once the physician is satisfied to deploy.

In this case the distal edge of the suction cup is at right angles to the longitudinal axis, however in other examples it is at an acute angle to this axis distally of the cut, as is case for the device1.

Use of Device200

In use the stem is inserted to the ear canal as described for the device1, and suction is applied to grip the tympanic membrane by the user pressing the button207. Then, with actuation of the trigger209the user causes withdrawal of the tubular structure265relative to the needle260(by use of the cables266and267), thereby compressing the tubular structure in the direction towards the right, form the position shown inFIG.7to that shown inFIG.8. Alternatively, the cables266and267maintain the length of the flexible shaft202and the needle261moves relatively to251. This has the effect of causing the needle to relatively protrude as shown inFIG.8. At this stage the user actuates delivery of a therapeutic fluid via the needle260by pushing the button208, while the needle protrudes through the tympanic membrane as it is gripped by the suction cup252.

Upon completion of delivery, the tension is gradually released from the cables266and267, so that the needle moves proximally relative to the suction cup out of engagement with the membrane

For either of the devices1and200any of a wide range of therapeutic fluids may be delivered, examples of such drugs are set out in the following table. Note: drugs delivered to the middle ear are not limited to those within this table, which are mentioned by way of example only.

Alternative Devices

The devices of the invention latch onto the tympanic membrane by suction so that the location of a distal stem tip remains fixed relative to the membrane despite patient head movement that might occur. Also, the distal tip pierces the membrane. In the example devices1and200there is delivery of a therapeutic fluid through the membrane where it is pierced. However, in other examples different therapies may be performed. One example is aspiration in which there is suction of infection fluid from the middle ear, in the unusual cases where broad spectrum antibiotic is not suitable.

In another example there is deployment of a tympanostomy tube in a manner as known in the art for example as described for example in WO2014/075949 and WO2019/086608. Such a device would have the suction lumen and cup for latching onto the membrane. The stem would also include a deployment needle which, in addition to puncturing the membrane, would carry a tube with a distal flange which is opened when it is located distally of the membrane. Such a needle may perform the initial membrane puncturing in addition to tube deployment. The distal tube flange may be opened by being released by a retainer to assume a default shape, or the tube may be deformed by pulling through the needle.

If it is the former arrangement, the device may include a pre-loaded tympanostomy tube comprising a proximal flange, an inter-lumen connector, and a distal flange, and in which the proximal flange comprises passageway; and in which in a pre-deployment position device retainer fingers extend through the proximal flange passageways and press the tube distal flange inwardly. In such an arrangement, the device may have a stem connected to a deployment mechanism or having a coupler for connection to a deployment mechanism; the needle having the tip to pierce a tympanic membrane, the needle having a longitudinal axis; and the retainer has a plurality of fingers extending axially at a distance from said longitudinal axis; and the retainer is movable from a pre-deployment distal position at which it is adapted to press radially inwardly against a tube distal flange to retain said distal flange in a folded position, to a deployment proximal position at which a tube distal flange is free to spring out radially to a deployed position. Preferably there are at least two diametrically opposed retainer fingers and preferably the fingers have an arcuate cross-sectional shape with a concave internal surface.

Referring toFIG.9in another example a stem300extends from a housing as described in any of the above embodiments. The stem300has an outer tubular structure302terminating at its distal end with a suction cup301and a needle303which is akin to the needle63and has the same purpose, being at the end of a lumen. In this case a second needle320is provided, and which does not have a lumen. However, it communicates with an electronic circuit within the handpiece via a wire connection within the stem wall302. The needle303also has a wired connection to this electronics board. During use, when the device applies suction both needles would penetrate the site tissue. The circuit applies an electrical drive across the two needles303and320, and measurements are made of a parameter such as impedance or capacitance. The circuit within the handle of the device has an interface to an output device such as an LCD screen or LED lights. The circuit is also linked with a sensor to measure the pressure within the suction line to the cup301. Through these two inputs, the circuit generates an output to inform the user whether drug could be administered to the correct location. That is, if pressure within the suction line increases i.e. the device suctions or attaches onto a target site the device would then measure the capacitance/impedance across the two needles. If that measurement is greater than a threshold value then the circuit could distinguish whether the user has attached to the tympanic membrane or to the ear canal wall. The circuit would display a go-no-go decision to the user on whether to administer drug by pressing the trigger button or to unlatch from suctioning and reposition the device.

In an alternative embodiment the two electrodes required to measure capacitance or impedance are within a single needle linked by cables such as a coaxial insulated cable to the circuit.

A major advantage of this embodiment is that the physician could use this with no visualisation aids, such as operating microscope/otoscope, and could ensure accurate delivery of the drug to the correct location.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described but may be varied in construction and detail. For example, in another example the sleeve does not retract, but the needle protrudes to achieve the relative longitudinal motion. Also, as noted above where a part is resilient and flexible it may be of any suitable medical-grade material such as TPE.