FR2566668A1 - Instrument connected to an otoscope allowing extraction of material from an auditory passage or from a nostril. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to medical instruments intended to extract any material obstructing the lumen of an external auditory passage or of a nostril. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the extracting instrument 1 is a metal wire loop fixed to the internal wall of an auricular speculum 2, itself fitted to the orifice of an otoscope, so that the loop 1 appears in the visual field of the latter. Movements imparted to the handle of the otoscope allow the extracting instrument 1 to be moved and to extract the offending material under constant visual monitoring. The most advantageous application of the invention is in extracting material obstructing an external auditory passage or a nostril, during a home visit to the patient.

Description

 The present invention relates to instruments for extracting a collection of earwax or a foreign body obstructing the lumen of an external auditory canal, whether for therapeutic purposes, when there is a plug of earwax or a body foreigner, or for diagnostic purposes for the purpose of examining the external auditory canal and eardrum. The invention can also be useful for extracting certain foreign bodies introduced into a nostril.

 Several techniques are currently used to achieve these ends.

One of them calls for the injection of water into the external auditory canal, this water causing the debris of earwax when it comes out. This technique is effective but long to implement, not very comfortable for the patient, and often messy for his clothes. Another technique uses instruments such as bent pliers, a suction cannula or a wire handle carried by a handle. The efficient and safe use of these instruments requires constant visual control of the movements by means of a frontal mirror or a binocular magnifier. They are therefore little used outside the office of an otolaryngologist and a fortiori during a consultation at the patient's home.

 The device according to the invention makes it possible to extract a collection of earwax or a foreign body from the external auditory canal or from one nostril, by means of a space-saving, inexpensive material and of easy and safe use. Indeed, it adapts to a classic otoscope with incorporated lighting and magnifying glass, such as most doctors have, and the extractor instrument, visible through the eyepiece of the otoscope, is easily guided by movements printed on the handle of the otoscope.

 The extractor instrument can be a simple wire handle or a small foam curette. It is made integral with the otoscope either by direct attachment to the mouth thereof, or by means of an ear speculum adaptable to the otoscope. In both cases the instrument is arranged so that its tip appears in the visual field of the otoscope, which allows constant control of its movements during intervention.

 In what follows, an exemplary embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail, using the appended drawing.

 According to this embodiment, the extractor instrument 1 is a handle made of stainless steel wire with a gauge of the order of 0.5 mm. This loop is fixed to the internal wall of the ear speculum 2, so as to emerge from its end 4. The ring 3 allows the device to be fixed to the mouth of the otoscope. The proximal opening 5 of the speculum and the ring 3 are coapted so that the speculum can pivot on itself. One can thus choose the orientation of the handle 1 and adapt it to the situation of the material to be extracted. The dimensions of the speculum 2 and the handle 1 are chosen according to the size of the conduit and the size of the material to be extracted.

 The device which is the subject of the invention can advantageously replace the instruments available in most situations, and in particular during an otological or rhinological examination at the patient's home.

Claims (4)

 1. Device intended to extract a collection of cerunran or a foreign body obstructing an external auditory canal or nostril, because # cte'Tise in that the extractor instrument is carried by an otoscope, and in C'E that this otoscope is used both from the handle to activate the instrument and from lighting and display means to control its movements.  2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the extractor instrument (1) is a wire handle or a foam curette.  3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the extractor instrument (1) is carried by an ear speculum (2) adapted on the mouth of the otoscope and in that the extractor instrument (1), emerging through the end (4) of the speculum (2), appears in the visual field of the otoscope.  4. Device according to claim 3 characterized in that the speculum (2) can pivot on its axis so as to allow the choice of one orientation of the extractor instrument (1) depending on the situation of the material to be extracted.