Magnetically driven pressure generator
Inventors
George, David • Willey, Kevin E. • Claude, John
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11859606-B2
Publication Date
2024-01-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
A magnetically driven pressure generator including a housing, flexible member, first magnetic force generator, and second magnetic force generator. The magnetically driven pressure generator oscillates the flexible member to increase or decrease the volume of a chamber, inversely increasing or decreasing the pressure of the chamber.
Core Innovation
A magnetically driven pressure generator device is provided with a housing having a depth disposed between an open end and a closed end. A flexible member has a peripheral margin sealably engaged to the open end of the housing to define an enclosed space within the housing, and the flexible member is configured to flex to increase or decrease a volume of the enclosed space. A first magnetic force generator is disposed on the flexible member, and a second magnetic force generator is disposed proximate the closed end of the housing or proximate the open end of the housing.
The first magnetic force generator is responsive to the second magnetic force generator to flex the flexible member, where at least one of the first magnetic force generator or the second magnetic force generator comprises an electromagnetic force generator configured to flex the flexible member to increase or decrease the volume of the enclosed space. One or more ports communicate between opposite internal and external surfaces of the housing, and one or more tubular conduits correspondingly coupled to the ports operate to conduct fluid into or out of the enclosed space.
In additional embodiments, a partition wall partitions the enclosed space into a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber, and a fluid outlet port communicates between an external surface and an internal surface of the housing to conduct fluid from the first fluid chamber. A fluid delivery conduit is sealably engaged to the fluid outlet port for delivery of fluid toward a distal end of the fluid delivery conduit, and an earpiece coupled to the distal end delivers fluid into an external ear canal, including an ear canal pressure regulation device configured to control pressure in the external ear canal.
Claims Coverage
The document contains two independent claims. The claims cover cooperative magnetic actuation of a flexible member to vary an enclosed-space volume, with fluid communication through ports and conduits to an earpiece; one independent claim further adds a partitioned first and second fluid chamber and a fluid outlet port with a sealably engaged delivery conduit.
Cooperative magnetic flexing of a sealably defined enclosed space
A flexible member with a peripheral margin sealably engaged to the open end of the housing defines an enclosed space, and the flexible member flexes to increase or decrease a volume of the enclosed space in response to a first magnetic force generator on the flexible member and a second magnetic force generator proximate the closed end of the housing or proximate the open end of the housing.
Electromagnetic force generator actuation
At least one of the first magnetic force generator or the second magnetic force generator comprises an electromagnetic force generator configured to flex the flexible member to increase or decrease the volume of the enclosed space.
Fluid porting through ports and tubular conduits to an earpiece
One or more ports communicate between opposite internal and external surfaces of the housing, one or more tubular conduits are correspondingly coupled to the ports to conduct fluid into or out of the enclosed space, and an earpiece coupled to the tubular conduits is configured to conduct fluid into or out of an external ear canal of an ear.
Partition wall defining first and second fluid chambers
A partition wall partitions an enclosed space of the housing into a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber, while a flexible member is configured to flex to increase or decrease a volume of the enclosed space.
Fluid outlet port with sealably engaged fluid delivery conduit and earpiece delivery
A fluid outlet port communicates between an external surface and an internal surface of the housing to conduct fluid from the first fluid chamber, a fluid delivery conduit is sealably engaged to the fluid outlet port for delivery toward a distal end of the fluid delivery conduit, and an earpiece coupled to the distal end delivers fluid into an external ear canal of an ear.
Across both independent claims, the core coverage is cooperative magnetic actuation, including an electromagnetic force generator, to flex a sealably defined flexible member and vary the enclosed-space volume, with fluid communication via ports and conduits to an earpiece for external ear canal fluid delivery. The second independent claim further adds a partitioned enclosed space with a first and second fluid chamber and a fluid outlet port and sealably engaged delivery conduit architecture.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
An external ear canal pressure regulation device configured to control pressure in the external ear canal.
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