Durect Corporation

Wildflower Communications, Inc.

Inner Ear Medical Delivery Systems, Inc.

Other

Intraear, Inc.

Irving K Arenberg

Michael H Arenberg

Christine Lemke

John A Berglund

Felix T Theeuwes

Stephen Thomas Flock

Milton Waner

John B Newkirk

A specialized drug delivery unit for inner ear treatment which employs a portion of carrier media material containing one or more therapeutic agents therein. The carrier media material is designed to release the therapeutic agents in a controlled manner over time. The drug delivery unit is sized for placement in the round window niche of a patient. The released therapeutic agents come in contact with the round window membrane and pass therethrough into the inner ear for treatment purposes. This system provides many benefits ranging from the ability to deliver drugs in a site specific, highly controlled manner to the transfer of such materials with minimal patient discomfort and monitoring requirements.

Controlled release system for delivering therapeutic agents into the inner ear

The present invention provides methods and devices for controlled delivery of a therapeutic agent to an internal cavity of the ear, particularly to the inner ear. In general, the invention uses a drug delivery unit for inner ear treatment which employs a portion of carrier media material containing one or more therapeutic agents therein. The carrier media material is designed to release the therapeutic agents in a controlled manner over time. The drug delivery unit is shaped and sized for placement of at least a portion thereof in the round window niche of a patient. The released therapeutic agents come in contact with the round window membrane and pass therethrough into the inner ear for treatment purposes. This system provides many benefits ranging from the ability to deliver drugs in a site specific, highly controlled manner to the transfer of such materials with minimal patient discomfort and monitoring requirements.

An apparatus for delivering fluid materials into and out of the inner ear via the round window membrane. A fluid transfer conduit is provided which includes one or more passageways therethrough which may have a semipermeable membrane associated therewith to control fluid flow. Attached to the conduit is an inflatable bladder sized for insertion within the round window niche. When inflated, the bladder engages the internal side wall of the niche, thereby securing the bladder and part of the conduit within the niche. The conduit can then transfer fluids to and from the niche and the fluid-permeable round window membrane therein. Bladder inflation may be achieved through one of the passageways within the conduit which can deliver an inflation fluid into the bladder. Also, the conduit may include an elongate conductive diagnostic member for transferring electrical potentials to and from the inner ear.

Fluid transfer and diagnostic system for treating the inner ear

An apparatus for transferring fluids into and out of the inner ear through the round window membrane. The apparatus includes a cover member sized for placement over the round window niche. Fluid delivery and fluid extraction conduits are provided which are operatively connected to the cover member so that fluids can pass therethrough. The cover member is positioned over the niche to create a fluid-recieving zone between the cover member and the round window membrane. As a result, fluids can be delivered into or withdrawn from the zone. Alternatively, a single conduit may be used for fluid delivery and extraction. Another variation uses a compressible cover member positioned within the round window niche to form a fluid-receiving zone between the cover member and the round window membrane. The same type of conduit system described above is attached to the compressible cover member.

Inner ear fluid transfer and diagnostic system

A medical implant structure and method for making the structure. The implant structure includes a containment member preferably manufactured from collagen (particularly collagen foam) having an open top portion. A supply of a granular implant composition (e.g. hydroxyapatite, natural bone, or bioceramic materials) is positioned within the containment member through the top portion. An activator material (adhesive materials, water, or saline solution) is then added which causes the implant composition to solidify, thereby imparting rigidity to the apparatus. At least one elongate reinforcement member may be positioned within the implant composition during the production process. A cap member may also be placed on the top portion of the containment member. In use, the implant structure is inserted within a patient and positioned adjacent to and against the tissue region to be reinforced. It is then physically shaped to conform with adjacent tissue materials.

Medical implant structure and method for using the same

A therapeutic treatment apparatus for use in the middle and inner ear. The apparatus includes a tubular stem portion attached to a medicine-retaining reservoir with an internal cavity. The reservoir includes multiple pores therethrough or an opening having a semipermeable membrane therein which enables medicine delivery from the reservoir. Such delivery occurs when the reservoir comes in contact with selected middle-inner ear interface tissues. A conductive member for receiving electrical potentials from ear tissues is affixed to the apparatus. Alternatively, the apparatus may include tubular first and second stem portions secured on opposite sides of a reservoir along with a conductive member attached thereto of the type indicated above. This apparatus is surgically inserted so that the first stem portion is placed within the inner ear. At least part of the apparatus (the second stem portion) resides within the external auditory canal. A further alternative embodiment involves an apparatus with a stem portion, a reservoir, and an inflatable insert member therein. The insert member is operatively connected to a temperature-controlled fluid supply designed to deliver fluids (e.g. gases or liquids) to the insert causing expansion thereof. Such expansion can therapeutically modify the pressure characteristics of inner ear fluids and fluid chambers.

Multi-functional inner ear treatment and diagnostic system

A multi-function endoscope capable of insertion within a body cavity for treatment/diagnostic purposes. The endoscope includes a flexible probe having an optical fiber connected to a laser light source, an optical fiber bundle connected to an illuminating light source, and another optical fiber bundle with a focusing lens thereon connected to a viewing system. The probe further includes an optical fiber having a sensor system associated therewith for making temperature and fluid pressure measurements within the body cavity. Also included are fluid conduits through the probe, and detecting wires for receiving electrical potentials from body cavity tissues. Finally, the probe includes steering wires which, when moved, cause probe movement. The steering wires are moved using a manipulator system consisting of stepper motors connected to a computer controller.

Multi-function endoscope apparatus

Combined telephone stand and desk organizer

A body fluid drainage apparatus or shunt for implantation in the inner ear or elsewhere includes an essentially rigid elongated tube having one open end and a closed, flexible end with a valve, a generally rigid housing fixedly secured to and telescoping over the closed end of said elongated tube, a pair of angularly, oppositely extending arms fixedly secured to the assembly, and a pair of plastic films, with open sides, secured to the apparatus enclosing the valve. When the valve is a slit valve, it is sealed in a flexible tube sealed to and extending a short distance beyond the elongated tube.

Growing community of inventors

Englewood, CO, United States of America

Irving K Arenberg