Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT07625657

CLIKX® Tympanostomy Tube Delivery System for the Placement of Tympanostomy Tubes

This study looks at the safety and performance of the CLiKX device. The device is used to place ear tubes (also called ventilation tubes) in children and adults. These tubes help treat chronic ear fluid (otitis media with effusion) and other conditions where a doctor decides an ear tube is needed.

In this study, surgeons will use the CLiKX device to place an ear tube in the patient's ear. The study will check if the surgeon can place the tube correctly in the right position. The procedure will first be attempted with no anesthesia or with local anesthesia. If needed, the surgeon may then use mild sedation or general anesthesia.

The study will also look at how well patients tolerate the procedure by checking for side affects during the procedure.

Finally, the study will look at how the device affects the procedure and patient safety. Researchers will review how the procedure is performed and will follow patients for up to 30 days after the procedure to continue to check for any side effects..

Recruiting

Interested in participating?

Request Info

Key information

Conditions

Otitis Media Ear Diseases Otitis Otitis Media Chronic Otitis Media Effusion Otitis Media Recurrent Otitis Media in Children Otitis Media with Effusion Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases

Age range

6 month and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Advanced ENT and Allergy, PLLC, Louisville, Kentucky, United States

Loading trial locations.

About this study

This is a prospective, single-arm, multicenter study designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the CLiKX device for the placement of tympanostomy tubes in pediatric and adult patients undergoing tympanostomy tube insertion for the treatment of chronic otitis media or other conditions requiring tympanostomy tube placement.

Eligible participants include children and adults ≥6 months of age who are scheduled to undergo tympanostomy tube insertion and have an ear canal diameter ≥4 mm.

The primary objective of the study is to evaluate procedural success (effectiveness), defined as successful incision of the tympanic membrane (myringotomy) and delivery of the tympanostomy tube into the intended position, while minimizing device-related adverse events during the procedure (safety).

Secondary objectives include the assessment of safety through 30 days post-procedure, as well as evaluation of procedural workflow and device performance.

Participants will complete study visits at the following time points: Baseline, Tympanostomy Procedure Visit, Post-Tympanostomy Procedure Visit (at discharge), and a 30-day Follow-Up Visit. Adverse events, concomitant medications, and procedural tolerability will be monitored throughout the study period.

This study is designed to support the intended use of the CLiKX device for performing myringotomy and facilitating delivery of tympanostomy tubes through the tympanic membrane in a clinical setting.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Subject is scheduled to undergo tympanostomy tube insertion.
  • Subject is ≥ 6 months old at the time of informed consent.
  • Subject has an ear canal diameter of ≥ 4 mm.
  • Subject is able and willing to provide informed consent or subject's parent/guardian is able and willing to provide informed consent and subject is able and willing to provide assent as age appropriate (age 7 years to 21 years old).

Exclusion criteria

  • Subjects who are pregnant as confirmed by the institution's standard pre- surgery practice.
  • Subjects with known adverse reaction to anesthesia.
  • Subjects with atrophic, dimeric, severely thinned and scarred, severely thickened, severely retracted, atelectatic or perforated tympanic membrane.
  • Subjects with otitis externa.
  • Subjects with active acute otitis media.
  • Subjects with an ear canal diameter < 4 mm.
  • Ear drums that are overly vertical or horizontal
  • Subjects with an anatomy that precludes visualization and access to the tympanic membrane, in the opinion of the investigator.
  • Subjects with any condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, may place the subject at greater risk.
  • Subjects with suspected middle ear tumors or vascular lesions.
  • Subjects diagnosed with acute sensorial hearing loss
  • Subjects with a history of surgery involving the ear drum.
  • Subjects with hemotympanum.
  • Subject is not able or willing to comply with study procedures and follow-up requirements, in the opinion of the investigator.

Treatment and study plan

CLiKX® Tympanostomy Tube Delivery System

Device

The CLiKX device is an automated, sensor-optimized, partially reusable handheld surgical device used for tympanostomy tube placement. It consists of multiple components assembled before use and disassembled after the procedure. The device includes integrated, pre-programmed software that controls its mechanical actions. The software is locked, cannot be modified by users, and does not perform diagnostic or therapeutic decision-making. Instead, it provides visual cues and applies controlled force to assist the procedure. Compared to manual techniques, the CLiKX device automates key steps, including creating a precise slit incision using regulated force. This approach is designed to reduce operator variability, minimize trauma to the tympanic membrane, and improve accuracy of tube placement. Clinicians retain full control over targeting throughout the procedure.

Primary outcomes

  1. Effectiveness of C-TTDS for tympanostomy tube placement

    Time frame: At time of procedure (first or second attempt)

    Effectiveness will be determined by success at the end of each ear tube procedure. Effectiveness is defined as the successful incision in the tympanic membrane and delivery of tympanostomy tube across the tympanic membrane in the proper position after a maximum of 2 insertion attempts per indicated ear. An insertion attempt is defined as an incision in the tympanic membrane by the C-TTDS

  2. Safety of C-TTDS for tympanostomy tube placement

    Time frame: At time of procedure (first or second attempt)

    Safety will be assessed by incidence, severity and relatedness of device related adverse events occurring during the overall procedure.

Secondary outcomes

  1. FLACC Pain Scale

    Time frame: ≤ 1.0 hour after completion of the tympanostomy procedure at the Post-Tympanostomy Procedure Visit

    Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability observational pain rating scalle for Infants and children less greater than or equal to 6 months to 5 years of age.

  2. FPS-R

    Time frame: ≤ 1.0 hour after completion of the tympanostomy procedure at the Post-Tympanostomy Procedure Visit

    Faces Pain Rating Scale - Revised self-reporting pain rating scale for children greater than or equal to 5 to 7 years of age

  3. NRS Pain Scale

    Time frame: ≤ 1.0 hour after completion of the tympanostomy procedure at the Post-Tympanostomy Procedure Visit

    11-point Number Rating Scale for Pain. Provided to children, adolescents, and adults greater than or equal to 7 years of age

  4. Caregiver Satisfaction Survey

    Time frame: ≤ 1.0 hour after completion of the tympanostomy procedure

    Procedure satisfaction and acceptability will be assessed using a subject-, parent-, guardian-, and/or caregiver-reported satisfaction survey evaluating procedure tolerability, satisfaction, perceived importance of alternatives to general anesthesia, perceived reduction in cost and procedure time, and willingness to recommend the procedure to others.

    Survey responses will be assessed using a 5-point Likert scale:

    • = Strongly Disagree
    • = Disagree
    • = Neutral
    • = Agree
    • = Strongly Agree

    Higher scores indicate greater procedure satisfaction and acceptability.

  5. Physician Procedure Tolerability Evaluation

    Time frame: ≤ 1.0 hour after completion of the tympanostomy procedure

    Performing surgeon and anesthesiologist acceptability of subject tolerability of the procedure. Binary 'Yes' or 'No' response

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Crystal George

CONTACT

[email protected]

972-999-2070

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

ClinQure, Inc.

Network

Collaborators

  • NousQ Pte Ltd

Registry information

Official study title

A Prospective Clinical Study of the Clikx Tympanostomy Tube Delivery System for Patients Requiring the Placement of Tympanostomy Tubes

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Jun 4, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 20, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.