| 摘要 |
<p>A myringotomy tube which is bioerodable and does not require removal. The myringotomy tube is insertable into an opening in the tympanic membrane to provide drainage of the middle ear through the external ear canal. The myringotomy tube includes a shaft that is adapted for disposition in the opening of the tympanic membrane and has a passageway provided therein for communicating the middle ear with the external ear canal when the shaft is inserted in the opening. The myringotomy tube further includes a first flange on one end of the shaft and a second flange on an opposite end of the shaft, with the myringotomy tube being sized such that the first flange and the second flange are disposed on opposite sides of the tympanic membrane when the shaft is disposed in the opening such that the first flange is extendable into the middle ear and the second flange is extendable into the external ear canal. Since the myringotomy tube is formed of a bioerodable material that is dissolvable upon exposure to certain fluids, such as middle ear fluids, the myringotomy tube simply dissolves over a period of time without requiring surgical removal.</p> |
