System and method for treatment of non-ventilating middle ear by providing a gas pathway through the nasopharynx

Abstract

Methods and devices for providing a gas pathway between the nasopharynx and the Eustachian tube are provided. One device may include a lumen with a valve. A portion of the valve may be tethered to adjacent muscle. Another portion of the valve may be tethered to adjacent cartilage. When the muscle contracts the valve may open through movement of the tethers, and provide a gas pathway between the nasopharynx and the Eustachian tube.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method of providing a gas pathway between a Eustachian tube (ET) and a nasopharynx of a patient, comprising:
 (a) providing an endoluminal implant within the ET such that a first body portion of the endoluminal implant is secured relative to a posterior wall of the ET and a second body portion of the endoluminal implant is secured relative to an anterior wall of the ET;   (b) assuming a closed position with the endoluminal implant in which the first body portion confronts the second body portion to thereby inhibit passage of gas through an implant lumen of the endoluminal implant; and   (c) in response to movement of tissue in the region of the ET, transitioning to an open position with the endoluminal implant in which the first and second body portions are spaced apart from one another to thereby permit passage of gas through the implant lumen and between the ET and the nasopharynx.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first body portion is anchored to at least one of the tensor villi palatine muscle or the levator villi palatine muscle with a first coupling feature, wherein the second body portion is anchored to cartilage in the region of the ET with a second coupling feature. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first coupling feature extends through the posterior wall of the ET, wherein the second coupling feature extends through the anterior wall of the ET. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first coupling feature includes a first tether, wherein the second coupling feature includes a second tether. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the first coupling feature or the second coupling feature includes a plurality of tethers. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the endoluminal implant includes a valve, wherein assuming the closed position with the endoluminal implant includes assuming a closed position with the valve, wherein transitioning to the open position with the endoluminal implant includes assuming an open position with the valve. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the first body portion includes a first valve portion of the valve, wherein the second body portion includes a second valve portion of the valve. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the first and second valve portions sealingly engage one another in the closed position. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the valve is arranged within the implant lumen. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising exerting an outwardly directed force on the ET with the endoluminal implant to thereby bias the ET toward an open state. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein exerting an outwardly directed force on the ET with the endoluminal implant includes exerting a resilient bias force on the posterior wall of the ET with the first body portion and simultaneously exerting a resilient bias force on the anterior wall of the ET with the second body portion. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the first and second body portions are resiliently biased relative to one another. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the first and second body portions are coupled together in an elongate clamshell configuration. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first body portion is positioned within or behind the posterior wall of the ET, wherein the second body portion is positioned within or behind the anterior wall of the ET. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising eluting a therapeutic substance from the endoluminal implant. 
     
     
         32 . A method of providing a gas pathway between a Eustachian tube (ET) and a nasopharynx of a patient, comprising:
 (a) providing an endoluminal implant within the ET, wherein the endoluminal implant includes an implant lumen and a valve arranged within the implant lumen;   (b) assuming a closed position with the valve to inhibit passage of gas through the implant lumen; and   (c) in response to movement of tissue in the region of the ET, transitioning to an open position with the valve to thereby permit passage of gas through the implant lumen and between the ET and the nasopharynx.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein a first valve portion of the valve is anchored relative to a first side of the ET, wherein a second valve portion of the valve is anchored relative to a second side of the ET. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein assuming the closed position with the valve includes sealingly engaging the first valve portion with the second valve portion, wherein assuming the open position with the valve includes disengaging the first valve portion from the second valve portion. 
     
     
         35 . A method of providing a gas pathway between a Eustachian tube (ET) and a nasopharynx of a patient, comprising:
 (a) providing an endoluminal implant within the ET such that a first body portion of the endoluminal implant is positioned within or behind a posterior wall of the ET and a second body portion of the endoluminal implant is positioned within or behind an anterior wall of the ET; and   (b) exerting a resilient bias force on the posterior wall with the first body portion and simultaneously exerting a resilient bias force on the anterior wall with the second body portion to thereby urge the ET toward an open state to permit passage of gas between the ET and the nasopharynx.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the first and second body portions are resiliently biased away from one another.