SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS BILATERAL TREATMENT OF TARGET TISSUES WITHIN THE EARS

• Main Authors: MORRISS, JOHN H, CHANG, JOHN Y, MAKOWER, JOSHUA, CLIFFORD, ANTON G, LIU, GREGORY, GOLDFARB, ERIC, SHAHOIAN, ERIK JAMES, FACTEAU, WILLIAM M
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French
• Published: 30.10.2008
• Subjects: BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROMTHE BODY; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF,TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, E.G. STENTS; DIAGNOSIS; ELECTROTHERAPY; FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; FIRST-AID KITS; FOMENTATION; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; IDENTIFICATION; MAGNETOTHERAPY; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; PROSTHESES; RADIATION THERAPY; SURGERY; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; ULTRASOUND THERAPY

A) Systems and methods for bilateral treatment of a patient having a head with a first ear and a second ear function by aligning a first device with a target tissue of the first ear; aligning a second device with a target tissue of the second ear; and therapeutically remodeling, with synchronization, the target tissues of the first and second ear with the first and second aligned devices, respectively. B) Systems and methods for treating a patient having a head with a first ear and a second ear function by mounting a support system to the head of the patient so that the support system is aligned with a target tissue of the first ear; applying a therapeutic agent to the first ear by energizing an iontophoresis electrode supported by the support system; and actuating a device while the device is supported by the support system so that the device therapeutically remodels the target tissue of the first ear. C) Systems and methods for treating a patient having an ear canal and a target tissue function by positioning a fluid or gel in the ear canal, the fluid or gel comprising a therapeutic agent; retaining the fluid or gel with a support structure, the support structure supporting an electrode and a battery; and applying the agent from the fluid or gel to the target tissue by energizing the electrode with an iontophoresis potential from the battery. D) Systems and methods for treating a patient having a head with a first ear and a second ear, function by mounting a support structure to the head of the patient; aligning the support structure with a target tissue in an ear canal of the first ear; stabilizing the support structure relative to the target tissue by injecting a material into the canal and hardening the material; and actuating a device while the device is supported by the support system so that the device therapeutically remodels the target tissue of the first ear. E) Systems and methods for treating a patient having a head with a first ear and a second ear, function by aligning a first device with a tympanic membrane of the first ear; inputting a command to an input device operatively coupled to the first device to generate a signal; and actuating the first device in response to the signal so as to drive a penetrator of the device through the tympanic membrane.