Ventilation tube for a middle ear

1. A ventilation tube suitable for insertion in an incised tympanic membrane, the ventilation tube comprising

a tubular member having a longitudinal axis,

a first flange located at one end of the tubular member and having a first tab extending therefrom,

a second flange located at an opposite end of the tubular member and having a second tab extending therefrom, the second tab being located diametrically opposite to the first tab,

wherein the first and second tabs are angled obliquely to the plane of their respective associated flanges by approximately equal angles but in opposite directions, the first and second tabs being generally parallel to each other,

and wherein both of the first and second tabs have non-cutting edges suitable for insertion in an incision in the tympanic membrane, each tab having a pair of substantially straight edges that are tangential to its associated flange, and a nose portion with an arcuate edge extending between the substantially straight edges,

and wherein either of the first and second tabs is able to be grasped by forceps in use, wherein the ventilation tube may be used reversibly.

2. A ventilation tube as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first and second flanges are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member, and the first and second tabs are angled obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member.

3. A ventilation tube as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the first and second tabs are made of a stiff material.

4. A ventilation tube as claimed in claim 3 , wherein each of the first and second tabs are angled between 15° and 60° to the plane of its respective associated flange.

5. A ventilation tube as claimed in claim 4 , wherein each of the first and second tabs is angled at approximately 30° to the plane of its respective associated flange.

6. A ventilation tube as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first flange and first tab are substantially the same size and shape as the second flange and second tab, respectively.

7. A ventilation tube as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the first and second tabs are integrally formed extensions of their respective associated flanges.

8. A ventilation tube as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the tubular member has a bore having a diameter of between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm, the tubular member has an inter-flange length of between 1 mm and 2 mm, the first and second flanges are generally circular and each have diameters between 1 mm and 3 mm, and the transverse distance between the nose portions of the first and second tabs is between 1.5 mm and 4.5 mm.

9. A ventilation tube suitable for insertion in a tympanic membrane, the ventilation tube comprising

a tubular member having first and second generally circular flanges at opposite ends thereof orientated perpendicularly to an axis of the tubular member,

the first flange having a first tab formed integrally therewith and angled obliquely to the plane of the first flange,

the second flange having a second tab formed integrally therewith and angled obliquely to the plane of the second flange, the first and second tabs being located diametrically opposite,

the first and second tabs being angled obliquely to the axis of the tubular member but parallel to each other,

the first and second tabs being made of a stiff material, and

wherein the first and second tabs have substantially identical shape to permit the ventilation tube to be used reversibly.

10. A ventilation tube as claimed in claim 9 , wherein each tab has a pair of substantially straight non-cutting edges angled to each other and tangential to its associated flange, each tab further having a nose portion with an arcuate non-cuffing edge extending between the substantially straight edges.

11. A method of inserting a ventilation tube in a tympanic membrane, the tube having first and second flanges at opposite ends thereof which are perpendicular to the axis of the tube, a first tab integral with and angled to the first flange, and a second tab integral with and angled to the second flange, the first and second tabs being parallel, the method comprising:

forming an incision in the tympanic membrane,

grasping the first tab with forceps,

using the forceps to insert the second tab into the incision in a direction generally parallel to the orientation of the forceps, and

pushing the second tab and the second flange through the incision, such that the ventilation tube is seated in the membrane with the first flange and a second flange on opposite sides thereof.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the incision has an initial length shorter than the diameter of the first flange, and pushing the second tab into the membrane further comprising using tangential edges of the first tab to stretch or widen the incision.