The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 04, 1986
Filed:
Apr. 17, 1984
Richard W Treharne, III, Memphis, TN (US);
Anthony D Prescott, Memphis, TN (US);
Richards Medical Company, Memphis, TN (US);
Abstract
A myringotomy tube allowing two-way gaseous communication between an external ear canal and a middle ear cavity and only one-way liquid communication from the middle ear cavity to the external ear canal includes a ball mounted within the tube to move freely into and out of contact with a valve seat for preventing liquid from flowing into the middle ear cavity. When fluid is present in the external ear canal, fluid pressure operates to move the ball into contact with the valve seat to provide a positive seal against ingress of fluid. In the absence of fluid within the external ear canal, the ball is free to move away from the seat to permit pressure equalization and liquid drainage from the middle ear to the outer ear. Longitudinal openings are provided in the portion of the tube within the external ear canal to facilitate free passage of fluid past the ball.