Method for external ear canal pressure regulation to alleviate disorder symptoms
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10772766-B2
Publication Date
2020-09-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method for external ear canal pressure regulation to alleviate one or more symptoms associated with a disorder or treat one or more disorders, the method including providing a fluid transfer device which generates a fluid flow of a fluid through an earplug, the earplug having an earplug external surface configured to sealably engage an external ear canal wall as a barrier between an external ear canal pressure and an ambient pressure; sealably engaging the earplug of the fluid transfer device with the external ear canal wall as the barrier between the external ear canal pressure and the ambient pressure; and operating the fluid transfer device to generate the fluid flow of the fluid through the earplug to achieve an external ear canal pressure differential between the external ear canal pressure and the ambient pressure effective to alleviate a disorder symptom or treat a disorder.
Core Innovation
A method for alleviating migraine headache pain being experienced by a patient includes engaging an ear on a first side of the patient's head sufficiently to allow a first pressure in a first external ear canal of the first ear to be adjusted. Fluid flow through the earpiece is controlled to make at least one pressure adjustment to create at least one respective pressure differential between the first pressure in the first external ear canal and an ambient pressure outside the first external ear canal. The method uses the pressure differential to produce a physiological response that is therapeutic for alleviating the migraine headache pain.
The method further includes choosing the first ear on the first side for the at least one pressure adjustment based upon a relative distribution of the migraine headache pain between the first and second sides of the patient's head. The relative distribution is expressed as a higher degree of migraine headache pain on the first side than on the second side. This side-selection is tied to the pressure adjustment performed through the engaged earpiece to form the therapeutic pressure differential versus ambient pressure.
Claims Coverage
1 independent claim is present, centered on engaging a selected ear and using fluid-controlled pressure differentials versus ambient pressure to generate a therapeutic physiological response for migraine headache pain.
Fluid-controlled pressure differential in a selected external ear canal for migraine pain relief
Engaging the first ear with an earpiece sufficiently to allow a first pressure in a first external ear canal to be adjusted, and controlling a flow of fluid through the earpiece to make at least one pressure adjustment that creates at least one respective pressure differential between the first pressure in the first external ear canal and ambient pressure outside the first external ear canal, wherein the at least one pressure adjustment causes a physiological response therapeutic for alleviating migraine headache pain.
Choosing the treated ear based on relative migraine pain distribution between sides
Choosing the first ear on the first side for the at least one pressure adjustment based upon a relative distribution of the migraine headache pain between the first and second sides of the patient's head, wherein the relative distribution comprises a higher degree of migraine headache pain on the first side than on the second side of the patient's head.
Across the independent claim, the core inventive concept is generating a therapeutic physiological response for migraine headache pain by controlling fluid-driven pressure adjustments in an engaged external ear canal to create a pressure differential relative to ambient pressure, with selection of which ear to treat based on side-to-side pain distribution.
Stated Advantages
Alleviating migraine headache pain in a patient by creating a therapeutic physiological response via pressure adjustment relative to ambient pressure.
Documented Applications
Alleviating migraine headache pain being experienced by a patient by engaging an ear and applying at least one pressure differential in the external ear canal.
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