Linked assembly with isthmus anchor for treating patulous eustachian tube

Abstract

A bio-absorbable implant is configured to bear radially outwardly against a Eustachian tube of a patient. The implant includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion includes an array of dilating bodies and a tether assembly. The dilating bodies are formed of a bio-absorbable material and are dimensioned to bear radially outwardly against the Eustachian tube of the patient. The tether assembly connects adjacent dilating bodies of the array of dilating bodies. The tether assembly is configured to allow restricted movement of the array of dilating bodies to thereby change the longitudinal profile of the proximal portion. The distal portion includes an anchor assembly that is configured to secure the bio-absorbable implant in the Eustachian tube of the patient.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of positioning an implant into a Eustachian tube of a patient, the implant comprising:
 (a) a proximal portion defining a longitudinal profile, the proximal portion comprising:
 (i) an array of dilating bodies, dimensioned to bear radially outwardly against the Eustachian tube of the patient, and 
 (ii) a tether assembly connecting adjacent dilating bodies of the array of dilating bodies; and 
   (b) a distal portion comprising an anchoring assembly,   the method comprising securing the implant in the Eustachian tube via the anchoring assembly, the array of dilating bodies bearing radially outwardly against the Eustachian tube when the implant is secured in the Eustachian tube via the anchoring assembly.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising transitioning the dilating bodies from a compressed state to an expanded state. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , the act of transitioning the dilating bodies from a compressed state to an expanded state comprising removing a sheath from the implant, thereby transitioning the dilating bodies from the compressed state to the expanded state. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the array of dilating bodies comprises a plurality of spheres. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising ventilating the Eustachian tube between a middle ear and a nasopharynx of the patient. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the array of dilating bodies are coated with a therapeutic agent, the method further comprising exposing the therapeutic agent to the Eustachian tube. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the anchoring assembly further comprises a plurality of barbs connected to the distally extending suture member, the act of securing the implant in the Eustachian tube comprising extending the plurality of barbs into sidewalls of the Eustachian tube. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , the act of extending the plurality of barbs into sidewalls of the Eustachian tube comprising transitioning the plurality of barbs from a compressed state to an expanded state. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the implant further comprises a push rod secured to the proximal portion, the method further comprising handling the push rod to thereby position the implant into the Eustachian tube. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising releasing the push rod from the implant once the implant has been positioned in the Eustachian tube. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the Eustachian tube defines a longitudinal profile, the method further comprising positioning the array of dilating bodies along the longitudinal profile of the Eustachian tube. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 21 , the act of securing the implant in the Eustachian tube comprising attaching the anchoring assembly to an isthmus of the Eustachian tube. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 21 , the array of dilating bodies comprising a series of securing features, the act of securing the implant in the Eustachian tube comprising attaching the securing features to the Eustachian tube such that the implant is secured in the Eustachian tube via the anchoring assembly and via the securing features. 
     
     
         34 . A method of positioning an implant into a Eustachian tube of a patient, the implant comprising:
 (a) a proximal portion defining a longitudinal profile, the proximal portion comprising a dilating body, wherein the dilating body is dimensioned to bear radially outwardly against the Eustachian tube of the patient;   (b) one or more anchoring features; and   (c) a ventilation channel spanning a length of the implant,   the method comprising:   (a) ventilating the Eustachian tube between a middle ear and a nasopharynx of the patient; and   (b) anchoring the implant to the Eustachian tube via the one or more anchoring features, the dilating body bearing radially outwardly against the Eustachian tube when the implant is anchored.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein one or more anchoring features comprises a barbed suture, the method further comprising securing the barbed suture to the Eustachian tube. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising transitioning the dilating body from a compressed state to an expanded state. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the Eustachian tube is closed before the act of anchoring the implant to the Eustachian tube, the method further comprising expanding the Eustachian tube. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 34 , the one or more anchoring features including a distal anchoring feature positioned distal to the dilating body, the implant being anchored to the Eustachian tube via at least the distal anchoring feature. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 34 , the one or more anchoring features including one or more barbs integral with the dilating body, the implant being anchored to the Eustachian tube via at least the one or more barbs. 
     
     
         40 . A method of positioning an implant into a Eustachian tube of a patient, the implant comprising:
 (a) a proximal portion having a body that is dimensioned to bear radially outwardly against the Eustachian tube of the patient; and   (b) a distal portion comprising an anchoring assembly, wherein the anchoring assembly is configured to secure the body in the Eustachian tube,   the method comprising anchoring the anchoring assembly into the Eustachian tube, the body bearing radially against the Eustachian tube with the anchoring assembly anchored in the Eustachian tube.