US3916873A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Valve for tympanic membrane ear surgery
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-11-30
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Granted: 1975-11-04
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Expires: 1993-11-30
Abstract
Abstract An air-permeable, chemically inert valve used to provide an air passage through the tympanic membrane of the ear. A thin layer of porous teflon covers the outer end of a tube lining a passageway created in the tympanic membrane. The porous teflon is impermeable to solids and liquids, but permeable to gases, thereby equalizing the air pressure between the outer and middle ear. An anti-coagulate coating may be applied to the teflon to prevent the tympanic membrane from growing over it.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric I Wasserman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:07
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F11/00; A61F11/20; A61F11/202
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A gas-permeable, chemically inert valve adapted for insertion in the tympanic membrane of the ear comprising: a. a chemically inert tubular member adapted for lining a passageway through a tympanic membrane having an external surface thereon, said external surface having a portion thereof intermediate the ends of said tubular member about which said tympanic membrane grows, said tubular member having a first opening located at one end thereof and a second opening located at the other end thereof; and b. chemically inert means covering an entire cross-sectional area of the passageway through said tubular member, said means being impermeable to liquid and solids while being permeable to gases whereby pressure between the middle ear and the outer ear is equalized, while simultaneously preventing any passage of liquids or solids therethrough.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
A gas-permeable, chemically inert valve adapted for insertion in the tympanic membrane of the ear comprising: a. a chemically inert tubular member adapted for lining a passageway through a tympanic membrane having an external surface thereon, said external surface having a portion thereof intermediate the ends of said tubular member about which said tympanic membrane grows, said tubular member having a first opening located at one end thereof and a second opening located at the other end thereof; and b. chemically inert means covering an entire cross-sectional area of the passageway through said tubular member, said means being impermeable to liquid and solids while being permeable to gases whereby pressure between the middle ear and the outer ear is equalized, while simultaneously preventing any passage of liquids or solids therethrough.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein said covering is affixed to said first opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein said covering means is affixed to said second opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein said tubular member has means about the circumference thereof into which said tympanic membrane grows for retaining said tubular member in said tympanic membrane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The valve of claim 4 wherein said tubular member has a notch around its circumference into which the tympanic membrane grows.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein said tubular member is fabricated from a gas-permeable, solid-and-liquid impermeable, chemically inert material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein said covering means is a thin-layer of material made of teflon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein said covering means is a thin-layer of material made of sintered stainless steel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein said covering means is a thin-layer of material made of sintered metal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein said covering means is a thin-layer of material .001 inch thick, having a water entry pressure of 2 pounds per square inch and a density of 0.1 gram per cubic centimeter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The valve of claim 1 further comprising an anti-coagulating coating covering said chemically inert covering means whereby said tympanic membrane is prevented from growing over said covering means.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of equalizing the gas pressure between the middle ear and the outer ear utilizing a valve assembly which simulates the eustachian tube function of the ear while preventing the inadvertent passage of both solids and liquids including water, but allowing the passage of gases through the tympanic membrane comprising: a. surgically creating a passageway in the tympanic membrane; b. inserting said valve assembly which incorporates a solid and liquid impermeable but gas permeable, chemically inert membrane into said passageway; and c. allowing the tympanic membrane to grow around said valve assembly.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of equalizing the gas pressure between the middle ear and the outer ear utilizing a valve assembly which simulates the eustachian tube function of the ear while preventing the inadvertent passage of both solids and liquids including water, but allowing the passage of gases through the tympanic membrane comprising: a. surgically creating a passageway in the tympanic membrane; b. inserting said valve assembly which incorporates a solid and liquid impermeable but gas permeable, chemically inert membrane into said passageway; and c. allowing the tympanic membrane to grow around said valve assembly.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 12, wherein immediately following the step of inserting and immediately preceding the step of allowing, a further step is inserted comprising coating said gas-permeable, chemically inert membrane with an anti-coagulating material whereby said tympanic membrane is prevented from growing over said gas-permeable, chemically inert membrane.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-03 | 1979-05-05 | 1979-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-03 | 1983-05-05 | 1983-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-03 | 1987-05-05 | 1987-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |