Tympanostomy Tubes—A Visual Guide for the Young Otolaryngologist

Isaacson, Glenn

doi:10.1177/0145561320929885

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Current commercially available TTs come in a variety of geometries with different internal diameters (IDs), lengths, and flange configurations ( 21 , 22 ); however, they all exhibit straight-walled lumens in either cylindrical or conical form (Fig. 2A).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design of medical tympanostomy conduits with selective fluid transport properties

et al. 2023

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Implantable tubes, shunts, and other medical conduits are crucial for treating a wide range of conditions from ears and eyes to brain and liver but often impose serious risks of device infection, obstruction, migration, unreliable function, and tissue damage. Efforts to alleviate these complications remain at an impasse because of fundamentally conflicting design requirements: Millimeter-scale size is required to minimize invasiveness but exacerbates occlusion and malfunction. Here, we present a rational design strategy that reconciles these trade-offs in an implantable tube that is even smaller than the current standard of care. Using tympanostomy tubes (ear tubes) as an exemplary case, we developed an iterative screening algorithm and show how unique curved lumen geometries of the liquid-infused conduit can be designed to co-optimize drug delivery, effusion drainage, water resistance, and biocontamination/ingrowth prevention in a single subcapillary–length-scale device. Through extensive in vitro studies, we demonstrate that the engineered tubes enabled selective uni- and bidirectional fluid transport; nearly eliminated adhesion and growth of common pathogenic bacteria, blood, and cells; and prevented tissue ingrowth. The engineered tubes also enabled complete eardrum healing and hearing preservation and exhibited more efficient and rapid antibiotic delivery to the middle ear in healthy chinchillas compared with current tympanostomy tubes, without resulting in ototoxicity at up to 24 weeks. The design principle and optimization algorithm presented here may enable tubes to be customized for a wide range of patient needs.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design of medical tympanostomy conduits with selective fluid transport properties

et al. 2023

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“…The placement of the tubes, a key treatment for otitis media, addresses hearing impairment and damage to the tympanic membrane, and is the intervention of choice [4] . Three materials ( uoroplastic, silicone elastomer, or metal) are utilized alongside two fundamental designs, short-term and longer-term, in the majority of tympanostomy tubes [5] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

3D Printed Ventilation Tubes and their Effect on Biological Models

Carbajal-Castillo,

Castillo-López,

Govea-Camacho

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Introduction: Acute otitis media (AOM) causes inflammation and hearing loss. Ventilation tubes are key in treatment. 3D printing improves prostheses in otorhinolaryngology, offering precision and greater adaptability. Material and Methods: An experimental study was conducted with Wistar rats from July to December 2020. 3D tympanostomy tube models were designed, with technical specifications and tests performed on inexpensive 3D printers. And the tympanostomy tube was inserted endoscopically. Results: Procedures were performed on five rats with implants in both ears. Pre-intervention pathologies, such as atical retraction and glue ear, were found. The PLA-printed tympanostomy tube showed improvement after adjustments. Histopathological results revealed significant middle and inner ear damage. Conclusion: In our study, the design and 3D printing of implants fulfilled the desired functions when modified, with a height of 5 mm. Complications included PLA degradation and ear damage. There were no adverse events during observation, highlighting the need for further research on 3D printed implants.

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“…Three materials—fluoroplastic, silicone elastomer, and metal—are utilized alongside two fundamental designs, short-term and long-term, in the majority of tympanostomy tubes. [ 5 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

3D printed ventilation tubes and their effect on biological models

Govea-Camacho,

Castillo-López,

Carbajal-Castillo

et al. 2024

3D Print Med

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Background Acute otitis media (AOM) causes inflammation and hearing loss. Ventilation tubes are key in treatment. 3D printing improves prostheses in otorhinolaryngology, offering precision and greater adaptability. Materials and methods An experimental study was conducted with Wistar rats from July to December 2020. 3D tympanostomy tube models were designed, with technical specifications and tests performed on inexpensive 3D printers. The tympanostomy tube was inserted endoscopically. Results Procedures were performed on five rats with implants in both ears. Pre-intervention pathologies, such as atical retraction and glue ear, were found. The PLA-printed tympanostomy tube showed improvement after adjustments. Histopathological results revealed significant middle and inner ear damage. Conclusion In our study, the design and 3D printing of implants fulfilled the desired functions when modified, with a height of 5 mm. Complications included PLA degradation and ear damage. There were no adverse events during observation, highlighting the need for further research on 3D-printed implants.

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Tympanostomy Tubes—A Visual Guide for the Young Otolaryngologist

Cited by 6 publications

References 28 publications

Design of medical tympanostomy conduits with selective fluid transport properties

Design of medical tympanostomy conduits with selective fluid transport properties

3D Printed Ventilation Tubes and their Effect on Biological Models

3D printed ventilation tubes and their effect on biological models

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