Clinical Research Directory

In-Office Clinical Study of the Solo+ TTD

The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Solo+ Tympanostomy Tube Device (Solo+ TTD) for the placement of tympanostomy tubes in paediatric patients undergoing a tympanostomy procedure.

Evaluating Laser Otoscope for Middle Ear Effusion Detection

The goal of this cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy investigational study is to learn about the usefulness of laser otoscopy in screening for middle ear fluid. The main questions it aims to answer are: -Accuracy and usability of doctors using laser otoscopes Participants already having ear tubes placed will have an examination with a laser otoscope and white light otoscope in order to determine and compare the device's diagnostic assistance. Tympanostomy findings will be used as the ground truth.

Digital Otoscopy Versus Standard Otoscopy on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Otitis Media in Young Children

Randomized controlled trial involving 4 pediatric primary care practices in Massachusetts. Practices will be stratified by their OM diagnosis and treatment rate, with two practices randomly assigned to the intervention arm and two to the control arm. For practices randomized to the intervention arm, their offices will be equipped with digital otoscopes (Wispr Digital Otoscope, WiscMed) in each exam room in place of traditional otoscopes. Clinicians in intervention practices will attend a two-hour initial training session on the use of digital otoscopy followed by two one-hour follow-up sessions held over a two-month run-in period prior to the study start to review best practices and troubleshoot any difficulties adapting to the new technology. Upon completion of the run-in training period, a six-month data collection period will begin. The primary outcome will consist of a difference-in-difference analysis comparing the difference in the OM Treatment Index (OMTI) from the baseline period (October 1 through March 31, 2025) to the intervention period (October 1 through March 31, 2026) between the intervention practices and the control practices. The OMTI is a measure of the rate of diagnosis and antibiotic treatment of OM, specifically calculated as the number of cases with an OM diagnosis and systemic antibiotic prescribed divided by the number of visits with a diagnosis of any acute respiratory tract illness. Secondary outcomes include analogous difference-in-difference comparisons of: 1) overall antibiotic courses prescribed; 2) overall days of antibiotics prescribed; and 3) a balancing measure of the rate of return visits with any acute respiratory tract illness diagnosis within 7 days of an index visit. Additionally, clinicians will be surveyed to assess confidence and satisfaction in diagnosing OM and preference for digital versus traditional otoscopy. To incentivize participation, practices randomized to the control arm will be loaned digital otoscopes to use for six months at the conclusion of the clinical trial.

Coherent Optical Detection of Middle Ear Disease

The purpose of this project is to see if optical coherence tomography (OCT), a new technology acting as an ultrasound for the ear, facilitates accurately diagnosing acute otitis media (AOM) and otitis media with effusion (OME) in children. Clinical diagnoses made using solely otoscopy will be compared to those made with the addition of OCT.

Digital Otoscope Versus Education and Feedback for Otitis Media in Young Children

Randomized controlled trial involving 40 pediatric primary care clinicians with high rates of diagnosing and treating middle ear infections. Ten enrolled clinicians will be randomly assigned to each of 4 arms for a three-month trial: 1) personalized education and feedback about proper ear infection diagnosis; 2) use of a digital otoscope; 3) both education and feedback plus use of a digital otoscope; 4) control (no intervention).

Validating and AI Software for Assessment of Children With Ear Concerns

The goal of this observational study is to determine if the Glimpse machine learning algorithm can accurately assess ear diseases in children. Participants will: * Have a video of their ear taken by their parent or their guardian * Have a video of their ear taken by a Primary Care Physician (PCP) * Have an assessment of their eardrums and a video of their ears taken by an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist (ENT). The videos will be used to determine if the Glimpse algorithm matches the diagnosis of the physicians.

Intranasal Corticosteroid Spray for Preventing Otitis Media With Effusion After Radiotherapy in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

This study focuses on a common side effect experienced by many patients after radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal cancer, which is a type of head and neck cancer. This side effect is called secretory otitis media (fluid buildup in the middle ear). It can cause a feeling of fullness in the ear and hearing loss. While procedures like ear tube placement can help, they can also lead to other problems like ear infections and drainage. Radiation treatment is thought to cause inflammation that disrupts the normal function of the tube connecting the ear to the throat (Eustachian tube), leading to this fluid buildup. A nasal spray containing a steroid medicine (triamcinolone acetonide) is already known to be safe and effective at reducing inflammation in the ear fluid of both children and adults. We believe that using this spray may also help prevent and improve this condition in nasopharyngeal cancer patients after radiation therapy. The main goal of this study is to explore whether this nasal spray can effectively prevent or reduce fluid buildup in the ear following radiation therapy. We hope this non-invasive treatment will provide a new option to improve the quality of life for these patients.

Perspectives on Antibiotics and Tracking Symptoms in Children

The study will assess families' perspectives and decision-making regarding the duration of oral antibiotic courses prescribed to children (4-17 years) who present with uncomplicated bacterial infections at the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) Emergency Department (ED). The study will involve (i) children discharged from ED on oral antibiotics and (ii) children transferred to Hospital-in-the-Home (HITH) on IV antibiotics who then switch to oral antibiotics. In addition, the study will assess how feasible and acceptable it is to track children's symptoms via the Garmin Smartwatch and the WeGuide platform (WeGuide is a patient engagement software platform that allows for enrolment, consent, and data collection \[via questionnaires/surveys and from the Garmin Smartwatches\] through a singular platform).

Post-Market Clinical Follow-Up Study of the Solo+ Tympanostomy Tube Device

The purpose of this project is to collect information from the doctor notes about the use of the device, to monitor the tubes after surgery, and collect information from patients and parents/guardians about their views on the procedure. Since the device became available in Europe, it is important to collect information from both patients planned for the procedure (prospective) and those who already underwent the procedure (retrospective) to have collect as much data as possible.

SWIR Otoscopy Study

The aim of this study is to provide preliminary data to support future studies to demonstrate that the short wave infrared (SWIR) otoscope is a better diagnostic tool than a white light otoscope for diagnosing middle ear infections (otitis media). Patients who are having a tympanostomy tube placement procedure will be participating in this study. Imaging will be performed with the white light otoscope and the SWIR otoscope to determine presence of absence of fluid. The SWIR otoscope will gather SWIR data and white light data simultaneously. As part of standard of care, patients who come in for this procedure have removal of middle ear fluid as part of their procedure, which will confirm presence or absence of fluid.

Effect of Chitodex Gel in Tympanoplasty Surgery

The general purpose of this study is to compare Chitosan-dextran (Chitodex) gel versus current standard of care, Gelfoam, as a middle ear (ME) and external auditory canal (EAC) packing agent as part of tympanoplasty, ossiculoplasty and mastoidectomy procedures.

Diagnostic Utility of Otosight Middle Ear Scope

Evaluate clinic workflow impact of OtoSight use for patients seen in the pediatric otolaryngology clinic.

Evaluation of Outcomes Following In-office Tympanostomy Using the Tula® System: a Prospective, Multi-center Registry

This prospective, single-arm, multicenter registry is being conducted to collect real world post-market data from patients aged from 6 months to 17 years of age who are undergoing an in-office ear tube placement procedure (tympanostomy) using the Tula® System. The Registry will include up to 20 centers in the US and up to 200 patients for the initial evaluation. The FDA-approved Tula System includes the Tula Iontophoresis System (IPS) with TYMBION™ otic anesthetic for local anesthesia of the ear drum and the Tula Tube Delivery System (TDS) for ear tube placement. Clinical research established the safety, efficacy and tolerability of this system for in-office procedures in the pediatric population. Patients will be treated and evaluated according to standard medical care. Outcome data is collected up to 6 months following extrusion or removal of their tube(s).

Does Topical Otic Drop Use at Time of Tympanostomy Tube Surgery Improve Outcomes When no Middle Ear Effusion is Present

To determine whether the use of topical otic drops intra-operative and post-operative during tympanostomy tube placement reduces the rate of tympanostomy tube occlusion and post-operative otorrhea (ear drainage) during the initial 4-week post-operative period in subjects with no middle ear effusion (fluid behind the ear drum) present at the time of surgery. A within subject controlled study design will be utilized to study this effect. Subjects with absent middle ear effusion who are receiving tympanostomy tube placement will receive a standard protocol of Floxin topical drops during surgery and after surgery in one ear. Selection of ear (right ear or left ear) will be randomized. The primary measured outcome will be the rate of tympanostomy tube occlusion within first 4 weeks postoperatively. The secondary measured outcome is the rate of tympanostomy tube otorrhea (drainage) within first 4 weeks postoperatively.