Myringotomy instrument

摘要

A device for incising the tympanum, suctioning secretions from the ear and grasping a tympanostomy tube 40, 58 or grommet, wherein the tube 40, 58 has an external surface, a tubular segment and a bore, comprises: a gripper 34, 36, 54 having an engaging surface for gripping the tube 40, 58: a pushing and suctioning member 38, 60 having a lumen and an aperture having a circumferential surface onto which the gripped tube is appended, wherein the bore of the tube forms a continuum with the lumen: an incision blade 66 stored within the lumen, the blade 66 being moveable co-axially within the bore. In use, the engaging surface of the gripper 34, 54 is pressed against the external surface of the tube 40, 58. The gripper 34, 54 may be divided into a plurality of segments or fingers 36.