Otologic nanotechnology

Abstract

Diagnosing or treating a human ear includes transporting a conjugated nanoparticle or a magnetically responsive nanoparticle into a human's middle or inner ear. Otologic nanophoresis includes electrically, magnetically or electromagnetically driving a nanoparticle through a membrane of the ear, including a tympanic membrane, a round window membrane, an oval window membrane, or a circulatory membrane. An otologic diagnostic device includes a nanoparticle conjugated with a material selected from the group consisting of lipids, proteins, growth factors, growth hormones, antioxidants, free radical scavengers, steroid preparations, and metabolically active substances; an otologic therapeutic device includes the same categories of substances and chemotherapeutic drugs. Another otologic composition includes a nanoparticle conjugated with a substance perceptible to magnetic resonance imaging.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for administering therapeutics to the inner ear comprising:
 inserting a microcatheter transtympanically into the middle ear, wherein a terminal end of the microcatheter is at a position immediately adjacent to a membrane separating the middle ear from the inner ear;   injecting a nanoparticle into the microcatheter, wherein the position of the terminal end of the microcatheter permits diffusion of the nanoparticle through said membrane into the inner ear, wherein the nanoparticle comprises one or more therapeutic agents and an agent to facilitate diffusion through said membrane.   
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein said one or more therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of an antioxidant and a steroid. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  wherein the antioxidant is N-acetylcysteine. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 2  wherein the antioxidant is reduced glutathione. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 2  wherein the steroid is dexamethasone. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein the membrane is the round window membrane. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein the membrane is the oval window. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the agent to facilitate diffusion through said membrane is lipophilic polymer. 
     
     
       9. An otologic composition for protecting or repairing damage to a human ear comprising (a) a magnetically responsive nanoparticle conjugated to one or more of a lipophilic polymer, a hyaluronidase, or a protein that binds with a pathological tissue in a human ear, and (b) a pharmaceutical agent that protects or repairs damage to the inner ear, in which the nanoparticle is a carrier for delivery of the pharmaceutical agent. 
     
     
       10. The otologic composition of claim 9, in which the pharmaceutical agent promotes hair cell regeneration. 
     
     
       11. The otologic composition of claim 9, in which the pharmaceutical agent protects or repairs damage to cochlear and/or vestibular neuro-elements from one or more of infection, toxins, or acoustic trauma. 
     
     
       12. The otologic composition of claim 9, in which the magnetically responsive nanoparticle and the pharmaceutical agent are conjugated. 
     
     
       13. A method of otologic nanophoresis comprising:
 administering an otologic composition comprising (a) a magnetically responsive nanoparticle and (b) a pharmaceutical agent to a membrane of a human ear, in which the nanoparticle is a carrier for delivery of the pharmaceutical agent, and   applying an external magnetic field to the ear, effective to drive the otologic composition through the membrane.   
     
     
       14. The method of claim 13, in which the membrane is selected from the group consisting of a tympanic membrane, a round window membrane, an oval window membrane, and a circulatory membrane. 
     
     
       15. A method of promoting hair cell regeneration in a human ear comprising:
 administering an otologic composition comprising (a) a magnetically responsive nanoparticle and (b) a pharmaceutical agent to the inner ear, in which the nanoparticle is a carrier for delivery of the pharmaceutical agent, and   applying an external magnetic field to the ear, effective to drive the otologic composition through the membrane.   
     
     
       16. A method of protecting or repairing damage to cochlear and/or vestibular neuro-elements from one or more of infection, toxins, or acoustic trauma in a human ear comprising:
 administering an otologic composition comprising (a) a magnetically responsive nanoparticle and (b) a pharmaceutical agent to the inner ear, in which the nanoparticle is a carrier for delivery of the pharmaceutical agent, and   applying an external magnetic field to the ear, effective to drive the otologic composition through the membrane.