Title: Middle ear aeration and implant

Abstract: Methods and an implant are disclosed for aerating the middle ear. The method requires the drilling of a hole in the bony external canal in a zone where the hole will be in communication with the middle ear either directly or through the mastoid air-cell system. The implant is formed from an inert, resiliently flexible material such as silicone rubber and includes a tubular portion and a flange at the posterior end thereof. The tubular portion is dimensioned to be a snug fit in the drilled hole and the flange is relatively large with its thickness and the wall thickness of the tubular portion being such as to enable the flanged end of the implant to be forced through the drilled hole with the flange then springing back into its normal position. The anterior end of the tubular portion is then pulled outwardly to seat the flange against the posterior surface of the bone structure.

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Inventors: Silverstein, Herbert (Wynnwood, PA, US)

Application Number: 625957
Filing Date: 1975-10-24
Publication_date: 1976-09-28
Assignee:
Primary Class(es): 604/264 128/DIG21, 623/10
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:
Other Refs: Other References: "Silastic Artificial Eustachian Tube" by James W. Donaldson, The Bulletin of the Dow Corning Center for Aid to Medical Research, vol. 7, No. 1, Midland, Mich. Jan. 1965, p. 2.
"Teflon Feuerstein Split-Tube", Micro-Surgery Instruments and Implants (Catalog), Richards Mfg. Co., Memphis, Tenn. 1966.
Christopher's Textbook of Surgery, 8th Edition, 1964, pp. 241-242.