External ear canal pressure regulation device
Inventors
George, David • Buckler, George • Crown, Timothy A. • Sullivan, David Brice
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11090194-B2
Publication Date
2021-08-17
Expiration Date
Abstract
An external ear canal pressure regulation device including a fluid flow generator, an earpiece having an axial earpiece bore, and a valved conduit fluidicly coupled to the fluid flow generator and the axial earpiece bore, whereby the earpiece has a compliant earpiece external surface configured to sealably engage an external ear canal as a barrier between an external ear canal pressure and an ambient pressure.
Core Innovation
The disclosed subject matter relates to an ear canal pressure regulation device and treatment methods that use an earpiece configured to sealably engage an external ear canal as a barrier between an external ear canal pressure and ambient pressure. The device includes a pressure regulator that defines a flow rate of fluid between the earpiece and the ambient environment outside the ear. By maintaining the seal and permitting fluid to flow at the regulator-defined flow rate, the external ear canal pressure changes toward the ambient pressure over a period of time.
In one treatment approach, the method inserts the earpiece into the external ear canal of a patient experiencing migraine headache pain while maintaining a pressure differential between the external ear canal pressure and the ambient pressure. Fluid is permitted to flow at the pressure-regulator-defined flow rate without requiring user activation of the pressure regulator so that the external ear canal pressure approaches the ambient pressure over time. The pressure differential is effective to alleviate the migraine headache pain.
In another treatment approach, the method inserts an ear canal pressure regulation device into an external ear canal and creating a seal between the ear canal pressure regulation device and the external ear canal as a barrier between an external ear canal pressure and ambient pressure. The pressure differential increases during a first period of time and then decreases during a second period of time after the first period of time. The pressure regulator automatically permits fluid to flow through a fluid flow pathway to or from the ambient environment to decrease the pressure differential such that the external ear canal pressure approaches the ambient pressure, and the method is effective to treat a headache syndrome.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides two independent claims: one directed to a method for treatment of a migraine headache and one directed to a method for treatment of a headache syndrome. The inventive features are centered on sealing an earpiece in an external ear canal and using a pressure regulator to automatically permit fluid flow at a defined rate so the external ear canal pressure approaches ambient pressure, with the pressure differential being effective to alleviate or treat the headache condition.
Pressure-regulator-defined fluid flow to approach ambient pressure
A pressure regulator defines a flow rate of fluid between the earpiece and ambient environment outside the ear, and permitting fluid to flow at the flow rate without requiring user activation reduces the pressure differential between the external ear canal pressure and the ambient pressure over time such that the external ear canal pressure approaches the ambient pressure.
Sealed earpiece barrier between ear canal pressure and ambient pressure
An earpiece sealably engages the external ear canal as a barrier between an external ear canal pressure and ambient pressure, with maintaining a seal between the earpiece and the external ear canal of the patient while a pressure differential exists.
Automatic pressure-regulator permitting fluid flow during increasing and decreasing differential
The pressure regulator automatically permits fluid to flow at the flow rate through a fluid flow pathway to or from the ambient environment to decrease a pressure differential between the external ear canal pressure and the ambient pressure such that the external ear canal pressure approaches the ambient pressure after the pressure differential increases during a first period of time and decreases during a second period of time.
Headache treatment effectiveness of the pressure differential
The pressure differential between the external ear canal pressure and the ambient pressure is effective to alleviate the migraine headache pain, and the method is effective to treat the headache syndrome.
Across the independent claims, the core coverage is directed to treating migraine or a headache syndrome by sealing an earpiece in the external ear canal and using a pressure regulator that permits fluid flow at a defined rate (automatically, and without user activation in the migraine method) to reduce the pressure differential so that the external ear canal pressure approaches ambient pressure, where the pressure differential is stated to be effective for alleviating or treating the headache condition.
Stated Advantages
Alleviates migraine headache pain.
Treats a headache syndrome.
Documented Applications
Treatment of a migraine headache.
Treatment of a headache syndrome.
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