Preceptis Medical Launches Next-Gen Ear Tube System for Kids

Preceptis Medical Inc., a surgical technology company dedicated to providing less invasive options for pediatric patients, has launched its next-generation Hummingbird Tympanostomy Tube System (TTS) for office-based pediatric ear tube procedures. The next-generation Hummingbird device features an enhanced ergonomic design that allows for a more efficient ear tube delivery in children.
 
“The Hummingbird enables ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeons to deliver an ear tube with a single pass, which is an important improvement over conventional instruments and allows for efficient and predictable placement in an office setting,” said Dr. Ted Truitt, M.D. of St. Cloud Ear, Nose & Throat in Minnesota. “The Hummingbird’s improved ergonomic design strengthens its already groundbreaking single-pass functionality, a unique characteristic that helps reduce surgical trauma, leading to a more tolerable ear tube procedure for young children. In-office pediatric ear tube procedures using the Hummingbird are increasingly becoming more sought after by parents.”
 
The Hummingbird device uniquely combines the separate tools and steps performed in standard ear tube procedures into one comprehensive device. With the Hummingbird, ENTs can now make an incision and deliver, position, and place an ear tube using a single device in a single pass. The device eliminates the need for general anesthesia and an operating room, with 99 percent success in the office setting.¹ The full procedure takes about five minutes, requires only a topical anesthetic, and parents can stay in the room with their child to provide further comfort.
 
“The Hummingbird device gives clinicians and parents an FDA-cleared, in-office alternative that avoids the costs and challenges associated with putting a young child under general anesthesia,” said Steve Anderson, CEO, Preceptis Medical. “Our next-generation device offers ENT surgeons an improved feel and enhanced usability based on direct feedback from our surgeons. This improved design is a testament to our team’s focus on continuous improvement and commitment to optimizing in-office ear tube procedures for children.”
 
Approximately 1 million children undergo ear tube procedures annually in an operating room in the United States alone, with 50 percent of all ear tube procedures performed in children under the age of two years old.² In-office ear tube placement using the Hummingbird can save thousands of dollars per procedure by shifting the procedure from the operating room to the office setting.
 
“In addition to cost benefits, pandemic restrictions over the past year have highlighted the value of office-based procedures and the evolution toward minimally invasive approaches,” said Greg Mielke, chief commercial officer, Preceptis Medical. “We are seeing a heightened interest in alternatives to traditional operating room procedures from both parents and ENTs. We look forward to expanding access to our Hummingbird technology to meet this demand, with the ultimate goal of improving the lives of young children who require ear tube procedures.”
 
Preceptis Medical was founded by parents, including a pediatric anesthesiologist, who wanted to design products focused on improving the lives of children. The Hummingbird device was developed in partnership with leading pediatric ENTs to simplify ear tube procedures while reducing the risks associated with the use of general anesthesia in children. The company’s goal is to broaden the options available to ENTs and parents, focusing on the safety and comfort of the child, while reducing healthcare costs. The Hummingbird Tympanostomy Tube System (TTS) is U.S. Food and Drug Administsration 510(k) cleared for use in children six to 24 months.

References 
¹ Truitt, TO, Kosko, JR, Nimmons, GL, et al. In‐office insertion tympanostomy tubes in children using single‐pass device. Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology. 2021;1-7.
² IBM Marketscan® Commercial Claims and Medicaid Database.