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Publication Number
US-11246793-B2
Publication Date
2022-02-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
A manual ear pump including one or more of a support element configured to releasably engage an external ear canal and having an interior chamber, a resilient element capable of being resiliently deformed coupled to a support element, and an aperture disposed on a support element bottom surface communicating with the external ear canal and interior chamber.
Core Innovation
An ear pump is provided with a resilient element that is resiliently deformable, including a compressed state and an uncompressed state. A support element is configured for insertion into an external ear canal and includes a fluid flow pathway and an opening for fluid to flow between the fluid flow pathway and the external ear canal. The support element further includes one or more vesicle cavities.
A valve is provided with a first state and a second state for changing fluid routing between the resilient element, the one or more vesicle cavities, and the fluid flow pathway. In the first state, the valve permits fluid flow from the resilient element to the one or more vesicle cavities while impeding fluid flow from the resilient element to the fluid flow pathway. In the second state, the valve permits fluid flow from the resilient element to the fluid flow pathway while impeding fluid flow from the resilient element to the one or more vesicle cavities.
The system is described as an ear-conforming pump that releasably engages the concha/auricle and uses pressure differentials applied via the external ear canal. In various described embodiments, the resilient element and support element cooperate with the one or more vesicle cavities so that expansion and contraction can enhance an ear seal and change pressure at the tympanic membrane/ear canal. The valve assembly is described as having multiple valve states and a rotatable tubular member or rotatable tubular conduit that selectively routes fluid among the resilient cavities and the vesicle cavities and the external ear canal.
Claims Coverage
The partial claim set centers on one independent claim (clm-00001) directed to the overall ear pump architecture, including a resilient element, an ear-canal insertable support element with a fluid flow pathway and opening, one or more vesicle cavities, and a two-state valve that alternates fluid routing between the resilient element/vesicle cavities and the resilient element/fluid flow pathway. Dependent claims refine the valve actuation and add additional structural and control features, including expanded sealing behavior of the vesicle cavities and actuator/controller operation.
Compressed and uncompressed resilient element
A resilient element capable of being resiliently deformed, the resilient element having a compressed state and an uncompressed state.
Ear-canal insertable support element with fluid flow pathway and opening
A support element configured for insertion into an external ear canal, the support element comprising a fluid flow pathway and an opening for fluid to flow between the fluid flow pathway and the external ear canal.
One or more vesicle cavities in the support element
One or more vesicle cavities included as part of the support element.
Two-state valve for alternating fluid routing
A valve having a first state to permit fluid flow from the resilient element to the one or more vesicle cavities while impeding fluid flow from the resilient element to the fluid flow pathway, and a second state to permit fluid flow from the resilient element to the fluid flow pathway while impeding fluid flow from the resilient element to the one or more vesicle cavities.
Expandable vesicle cavities to enhance ear sealing
The ear pump is configured so that one or more vesicle cavities can expand to help seal the support element to the external ear canal.
Rotatable tubular member valve state alignment
A valve that includes a rotatable tubular member with apertures that selectively align or misalign with corresponding apertures in a tubular conduit depending on whether the valve is in a first or second state.
Third valve state permitting dual-path fluid flow
A valve with a third operating state that allows fluid to flow both between the resilient element and the fluid flow pathway and between the resilient element and the one or more vesicle cavities.
Same-material resilient element and support element
The resilient element and the support element are formed from the same material.
Actuator and controller for pressing the resilient element
The ear pump further includes an actuator to press a resilient element and a controller to operate the actuator.
Across the independent claim and its dependent refinements, coverage emphasizes a resilient element with compressed/uncompressed states, an external ear canal insertable support element with a fluid flow pathway and ear-canal opening, one or more vesicle cavities, and a valve that alternates fluid routing between the resilient element and the vesicle cavities versus between the resilient element and the fluid flow pathway; additional dependent features specify expandable sealing by the vesicle cavities, rotatable tubular valve actuation, an optional third valve state, same-material construction, and actuator/controller operation.
Stated Advantages
Helps seal the support element to the external ear canal via expansion of one or more vesicle cavities.
Documented Applications
Treatment of neurological disorders, including migraine and craniofacial pain, using an ear pump with pressure changes at the tympanic membrane/ear canal.
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