Suction grasper for ossicular prosthesis

摘要

A suction activated instrumentation system for use in implanting an ossicular prosthesis into the middle ear includes a suction handpiece and a vacuum source. A removable suction tip is coupled to the handpiece for engaging an ossicular prosthesis. The suction tip includes a distal portion with an elongate slot opening at an end face, and two arms defined at the end face. When suction is applied through the suction tip, the prosthesis is drawn against the end face and retained between the arms. In the event the prosthesis is inadvertently contacted during implantation, the suction tip provides for self-correction, causing a prosthesis to re-orient into the prior intended configuration.

主权项

1. A suction tip system, comprising:
a) a middle ear implant having a proximal end; b) a suction tip defining a longitudinal axis, a passageway, a proximal portion and a distal portion, said proximal portion adapted for coupling with the distal end of the suction handpiece, and said distal portion having a distal end defining an opening into the passageway and a three dimensional geometric interface for said implant; and c) a suction handpiece couplable to a vacuum source, said proximal portion of said suction tip coupled to said suction handpiece, and said suction handpiece adapted to provide fluid communication from the vacuum source to said passageway of said suction tip,
wherein when suction is applied from the suction handpiece through said passageway of said suction tip and when said distal end of said suction tip and said proximal end of said implant are provided in proximity, a portion of said proximal end of said implant is drawn and held against said distal end in juxtaposition to said at least one fixed stabilizing member such that said three-dimensional geometric interface supports and orients said implant in a desired orientation.