| CPC A61F 2/18 (2013.01) [A61F 11/00 (2013.01); A61L 31/145 (2013.01); A61L 31/146 (2013.01); A61F 2002/183 (2013.01); A61F 2230/0004 (2013.01); A61F 2250/0069 (2013.01); A61L 2430/14 (2013.01)] | 15 Claims |

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1. An apparatus for contacting a tympanic membrane or a tympanic membrane tissue graft comprising:
a removable non-resorbable patch made from a biocompatible flexible material having:
a periphery with a closed curve oval geometry;
a central portion having a distal surface and a proximal surface contoured to correspond in size and shape to a natural mammalian tympanic membrane; and
a flange extending outwardly from the distal surface made from a biocompatible material with a higher density than the biocompatible flexible material and wherein the flange is adapted to be grasped by a surgical instrument for placement, wherein the proximal surface is adapted to contact the tympanic membrane or the tympanic membrane tissue graft.
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