Hummingbird Ear Tubes
The Hummingbird Tympanostomy Tube System, commonly referred to as Hummingbird Ear Tubes, is the flagship product of medical device manufacturer Preceptis Medical, based in Plymouth, Minnesota. Hummingbird Ear Tubes are noted for being one of the only ear tubes that can be inserted without general anesthesia.
History
Preceptis Medical was founded in 2011 as a startup focused on pediatric otolaryngology.[1]
In 2013, Preceptis Medical won the grand prize at The Minnesota Cup, a competition that awards innovative business ideas.[2]
FDA and HCPCS clearance
In 2020, Preceptis Medical was granted FDA clearance for children 6 to 24 months of age, allowing for the Hummingbird Ear Tube device to placed without general anesthesia.[3][4]
In 2021, a clinical study "affirmed an in‐office alternative for clinicians and parents who have concerns with the risk, inconvenience and cost of surgery in an operating room under general anesthesia."[5]
In 2022, the FDA cleared it to be used in all children 6 months old and older.[6][7]
In 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services assigned a Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code to the Hummingbird TTS procedure. This coding supports the adoption of the Hummingbird system by providing clear reimbursement pathways for ENT specialists.[8]
Funding & Leadership
Preceptis raised $1.2 million from Minneapolis investing group Gopher Angels in 2014 and $3 million in financing in 2016. It raised $3.6 million during a Series B that concluded in March of 2020.[9]
The company has raised approximately $19M+ in funding, primarily from a Boulder, Colorado-based venture capital firm called Partisan Management Group.[10]
In 2025, Preceptis Medical hired Dave Carey as CEO.[11][12]
Lack of general anesthesia
The Hummingbird is notable for the lack of general anesthesia,[13] instead only requiring the eardrum to be numbed.[14] According to various news reports and medical professionals, the alternative general anesthesia is the most important differentiator of the Hummingbird.[15][16]
Hummingbird Ear Tubes are a manual, in-office ear tube placement that is a safe, cost-effective, and highly reliable alternative to operating room procedures for infants under 20 months. By eliminating the need for general anesthesia and fasting, this method significantly shortens the time between evaluation and treatment while maintaining high caregiver satisfaction.[17]
References
- ^ Schaust, Sam (9 August 2017). "Preceptis Medical is Seeking $1M". Twin Cities Business.
- ^ "Minnesota Cup Names 2013 Grand Prize Winner Of $65K". Twin Cities Business. 22 September 2013.
- ^ Brenner, M. J.; Shenson, J. A.; Rose, A. S.; Valdez, T. A.; Takashima, M.; Ahmed, O. G.; Weissbrod, P. A.; Hong, R. S.; Djalilian, H.; Wolf, J. S.; Morrison, R. J.; Santa Maria, P. L.; Erbele, I. D. (2021). "New Medical Device and Therapeutic Approvals in Otolaryngology: State of the Art Review 2020". Oto Open. 5 (4): 2473974X211057035. doi:10.1177/2473974X211057035. PMC 8591653. PMID 34790883.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: article number as page number (link) - ^ "US Food & Drug Administration" (PDF). fda.gov.
- ^ Truitt, T. O.; Kosko, J. R.; Nimmons, G. L.; Raisen, J.; Skovlund, S. M.; Rimell, F.; Cofer, S. A. (2021). "In-office insertion tympanostomy tubes in children using single-pass device". Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology. 6 (2): 325–331. doi:10.1002/lio2.533. PMC 8035945. PMID 33869765.
- ^ Weldon, Ross. "FDA clears ear tube device for all children aged 6 months or older". Healio.
- ^ Fink, Jennifer. "New Products May Change the Way Tympanostomy Tubes Are Placed". ENT Today.
- ^ "Preceptis Medical Announces New CMS HCPCS Code for Pediatric Tympanostomy Procedures". AP News. 5 November 2024.
- ^ Miller, Carrigan. "Preceptis Medical raises $3.8M after 'Hummingbird' gets FDA clearance". Biz Journals.
- ^ Tracxn Technologies Limited https://tracxn.com/d/companies/preceptis-medical/__PDLqg84VA041GHGF0iIKIDAFmdEtTdgbZO_MIx_5_bk#about-the-company.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ MassDevice. 8 July 2025 https://www.massdevice.com/preceptis-medical-hires-dave-carey-ceo-hummingbird/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ PharmExec. 3 February 2026 https://www.pharmexec.com/view/from-or-office-how-workflow-change-ai-reshaping-medtech-adoption.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "'Hummingbird' Is Game Changer For Costly Ear Tube Procedures". CBS News. 15 June 2021.
- ^ "In-office, ear tube procedure reduces stress and adverse effects". Mayo Clinic.
- ^ Guertin, Riley (6 September 2024). "Living Well: How the Hummingbird Procedure is changing the medical game". News 40 WNKY.
- ^ CBS News. "Medical Minute: Ear Tubes". News 9.
- ^ Giroux, Kelly; McColl, Logan F.; Harter, Christian; Seitz, Emily; Kistler, Isaac; Chiang, Tendy; Jatana, Kris; Elmaraghy, Charles (May 2025). "Protocol implementation for in-office manual tympanostomy tube insertion". International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. 192. doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2025.112326.