Tympanoplastic patch applicator

Abstract

A tympanoplatic patch applicator comprising: a handle disposed with a deployment control; a deployment stem comprising multiple nested sleeves connected to the handle; a patch configured to be affixed to the distal end of the deployment stem via an actuation filament embedded in the deployment stem; and a filament-based deployment system controllable by the deployment control, wherein the deployment stem is configured to position the patch at the internal side of a perforated tympanic membrane in the middle ear by introducing the patch into the ear canal and penetrating the perforated tympanic membrane with the distal end of the deployment stem, and wherein the filament-based deployment system is configured to release the patch from the distal end of the deployment stem, thereby deploying the patch on the internal side of the perforated tympanic membrane.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for deploying a patch at the internal side of a perforated tympanic membrane with a patch applicator, comprising:
 introducing a patch, affixed to the distal end of a distally disposed stem of said applicator, into an ear canal;   penetrating a perforation of a tympanic membrane with the patch;   using a deployment control provided with a proximally disposed handle of the applicator to maneuver a deployment system that releases the patch from the distal end of the stem at the internal side of the tympanic membrane; and   deploying the patch on the internal side of the perforated tympanic membrane.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, while the patch is positioned at the internal side of the tympanic membrane, aligning the orientation of the patch with the orientation of the perforated tympanic membrane by rotating the posture adjustor to rotate a middle sleeve of the applicator, wherein the patch is secured to a beveled distal end of the middle sleeve. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising activating a debriding actuator disposed with the proximally disposed handle of the applicator to advance at least one blade to the distal end of the stem, and rotate the at least one blade about the circumference of the perforation. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising collecting the removed tissue in a niche of the applicator and preventing the removed tissue from reaching the middle ear. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein deploying comprises pulling the patch proximally to come into contact with the internal side of the tympanic membrane by pulling the applicator proximally and securing the patch to the tympanic membrane using the fresh blood as a glue. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein using the deployment control to maneuver the filament-based deployment system comprises decoupling a cord of the patch from a filament of the applicator in a second detachment stage. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said deployment system comprises a filament-based deployment system controllable by said deployment control. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said deployment system comprises multiple nested sleeves 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said applicator further comprises a penetration depth controlling mechanism that limits the penetration depth of the at one blade.